All The Way From Ashton Moss...

What’s that coming over the hill, is it a monster? Is it a monster?

No, it’s Gary Lowe and his merry band (closer to the one-man variety than the full orchestra and massed choir kind) of followers as they make their way to Seel Park for the first time in almost four years. An event that’s sure to guarantee two extra seats being filled on the 350 that departs at Ashton bus station at 18:30.

Making gags at their expense about being poorly supported is unkind though, especially as with Woodley coming up twice over the next three weeks I could have saved them for then. Still, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the lack of verbal sparring on the terraces does contribute to this fixture being bottom of the list when it comes to anticipated local derbies.

Its been almost four years since we last faced ‘The Blues’ in league competition, both games in the NWCL 03/04 season ending in draws: 2-2 at our place, 1-1 at theirs.

Last year they finished second in the NWCL, due in no small part to the amount of goals scored and created by their front three of Norton, Moores, and Cahill. Speaking as someone who saw a fair share of those Curzon games I’ve got to say that they were mightily impressive to watch at times.

That Goaly Trinity (see what I did there) however has been split up over the summer with Moores departing for trials at a whole host of clubs before eventually signing for Chorley last week. And after being told he wouldn’t feature in the Magpie's starting line-up he turned out for Flixton in the FA Cup at the weekend. The whereabouts of Wayne Cahill has also been something of a mystery to those not steeped in all things Curzon but they got off to a flyer in the opening game of the campaign by knocking two unanswered goals past Ossett at the White Elephant Memorial Ground Tameside Stadium.

Current connections between the two sides include Rhodri Giggs, Stephen Shiel,Joz Mitten who, it is rumoured to be said, has almost signed for us on more than one occasion and that both teams have white shorts as part of their home kit. And if you think that last one is tenuous, you're right - it is!

Prediction: Despite a sore throat I’m feeling particularly ebullient - a Mossley win.

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