Boro battle for win at home to Curzon to climb back into play-off spots
Boro climbed back into the play-off places with an impressive, energy sapping first ever home win against Curzon Ashton on a heavy Queensgate pitch, as Kieran Weledji’s early goal secured Jono Greening's side the three points, extending their unbeaten run to five matches.
Alex Purver was back after missing the midweek draw with South Shields, and Luca Colville, back from injury was on the bench, as was new loan signing from Huddersfield Town, 21-year-old forward Peter Thomas.
Boro were on top for most of the first half, but found Curzon keeper Callum Hawkins in inspired form.
Jack Waldron passed forward to Weledji, who burst into the area, but was stopped by a Timi Sobowale tackle, Curzon then got forward and Chibuike Ezennolim’s long throw into the box was headed out by Jake Hull towards Ben Darby, who volleyed inches over.
Boro went ahead when a Rio Allan shot forced a fabulous diving save from Hawkins, who also blocked Ste Walker’s follow-up shot, but from the resulting corner by Allan, Weledji prodded past the keeper at the near post.
A Weledji shot was deflected over by Sobowale, a low strike from Allan was smothered by Hawkins, Harry Green blasted a 25-yard free kick over, and a Waldron cross was plucked off the head of Dom Tear by the busy Hawkins.
In rare Curzon attacks Ben Atkinson fired over, and Alex Purver’s sliding tackle halted a surging run from Tony Weston.
Green then teed up Walker, whose ball into the area found Allan, and his fierce shot was brilliantly tipped wide by Hawkins. Allan was on great form, and just before the interval he again had a thumping shot saved by the outstanding Hawkins.
Curzon were much more of a threat in the second half, but the Boro back line, led by skipper Will Thornton remained solid.
The visitors’ best chance of the game came on 61 minutes when Tony Weston, scorer of a hat-trick v Marine in midweek, burst clear one-on-one with Boro keeper Ryan Whitley, who stood tall and parried Weston’s attempted lob.
Hull and Thornton both won some important headers at the back, while a Jordan Richards cross was headed wide by Cian Flannery, and Hull blocked a shot from Tony Weston, who fired the rebound straight at Whitley.
Tear burst clear for Boro, but was tackled by Sobowale, while Weledji and Alex Brown got forward down the flanks, but Curzon defended soundly, restricting Boro’s attacking options.
Curzon looked to force an equaliser, but keeper Whitley wasn’t really tested again, although he gathered a couple of dangerous crosses.
Brown hacked a Flannery cross clear, Thornton tackled Ben Holmes as he ran through, and Charlie Weston blazed over.
In stoppage-time Boro could have doubled their lead, Colville won possession in the Boro area and passed forward to Theo Chapman, who turned sublimely and squared to new boy Thomas, who raced goalwards, but was stopped by a last-ditch Charlie Weston tackle.
BORO - Whitley, Weledji (Duckworth 84), Brown, Hull, Thornton(c), Purver, Allan (Chapman 84), Tear (Colville 74), Walker (Bennett 74), Waldron, Green (Thomas 84). Unused sub - Gibson-Booth.
CURZON ASHTON - Hawkins, Sobowale, Amado, Stobbs (Flannery 46), Holmes (Welsh 79), Darby, Richards(c), T. Weston, C.Weston, Ezennolim, Atkinson (Olufowobi 81). Unused subs - Stokes, Ollerenshaw.
REFEREE - Sam Bragg.
GOAL - Kieran Weledji (Boro) 8.
GOAL ATTEMPTS - BORO 8 (6 on target) CURZON 7 (2 on target).
CORNERS - BORO 7 CURZON 4.
OFFSIDES - BORO 0 CURZON 1.
YELLOW CARD - Ben Darby (Curzon).
BORO MAN OF MATCH - Alex Brown.
ATTENDANCE - 636 (20 away).