Curzon Ashton 1-2 Marine Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Round Saturday 13th December 2025
Adam Yates reports from Tameside as Marine’s travelling support were given a day to remember. The visitors snatched a dramatic FA Trophy comeback victory, breaking Nash hearts at the death to book their place in round four for the first time in eight years.
With solid chances at a premium in the opening stages, the contest took time to ignite. It was Curzon who struck first just before the half-hour mark when a Tony Weston chance was parried in front of Alex Curran who needed only to nudge the ball a few yards into the net.
But Marine refused to panic. Just before half time, Adam Thomas linking superbly with Declan Drysdale who then laid it onto Sinclair-Smith. Fin faked a turn on the inside, powerdrived a left foot shot over the keeper which hit the post, then in. It was the least he deserved after several chances that came before and after the equaliser which ended a mini goal drought for the fan favourite.
The second half was much more in Marine’s favour.
Academy player James Potter, who this week signed senior terms with the club was given a duo of golden chances either side of the break with the latter coming from a fantastic blistering counter attack. Bailey Marsden won the ball in his own half then handed it to Sinclair Smith who drove into the right of the danger area, squared it to Potter whose first touch took it just over the bar.
That man again, Sinclair Smith squared the ball across goal reached the far post for substitute and match winner Lewis Bell to prod home in front of the rapturous fans.
To add insult to injury, Curzon captain Jimmy Spencer, who had berated the referee since the winner, went too far with his protests and left the pitch after being given a straight red card.
Man of the Match – Finlay Sinclair-Smith
Curzon Ashton: Callum Hawkins, Oluwatimilehin Sobowale, Odel Nunes Souto Amado, Alex Curran (Chris Stokes 63), James Spencer (C), Tony Weston, Charlie Weston (Jack Stobbs 63), Ben Darby, Jordan Richards (Crispin McLean 63), Adam Barton (Bradley Holmes 63), Chibuike Udogh Ezennolim
Unused Substitutes: Jack Stafford, Cian Flannery, Harry Barber-Oludowbi
Marine: Fraser Barnsley, James Brown (Harry Huby 73), Odin Samuels-Smith, Fin Sinclair-Smith, Bailey Marsden, Adam Anson, Adam Thomas, Josh Wardle (C), Jai Curran-Nicholls, Declan Drysdale, James Potter (Lewis Bell 72)
Unused Substitutes: George Newell, Noah Roberts, Jack McIntyre
Attendance: 344