Curzon's stat attack

Curzon Ashton's Ian Seymour has been delving deep into the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North club's records books after realising the Blues were passing a series of statistical milestones this season.

As the Blues celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, Seymour reveals that on Saturday Curzon's FA Cup Preliminary Round tie with Bradford Park Avenue will be their 2400th competitive fixture. More than a third - 849 games - have come while Curzon have been playing as members of the Evo-Stik NPL.

Monday night's FA Trophy Replay penalty shoot-out win over Goole also threw up what could be an unenviable stat says Seymour - the clash was the third time a match has been decided on penalties from the last seven games at the Tameside Stadium.

Since beating Garforth Town 4-1 on penalties in last season's Play-Off semi-final, Curzon have knocked out Northwich Victoria 4-2 on penalties in an FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay and now Goole 4-3 in the FA Trophy.

Moreover, Seymour says the win over Maltby Main in the FA Cup is the first time the Blues have played an FA Cup tie that hasn't required a replay since they reached the Second Round Proper in 2008-09. This season is also the first time they have safely negotiated two rounds since that historic season.

Seymour's says the record books have also thrown up another quirk - in each of the last three seasons Curzon have gone out of the FA Cup to a 2-3 defeat after drawing the first game at home. And in each of those defeats they were leading 2-1 with just minutes remaining.

Seymour is now hoping for a positive change to the club's records on Saturday against Bradford Park Avenue. The clubs have met eight times previously and of those, each club has won just once at home and three times away.