Curzon v AFC Telford preview: Bucks seek cure for travel sickness

The Bucks have not won any of their last three visits to the ground, writes Joe Edwards.

They were beaten 1-0 there last season, drew 1-1 the campaign prior and lost 1-0 the term before that.

And when you take into account the fact Telford have fallen to three straight defeats on their travels – including the exit from the FA Cup at Warrington Town – the signs seem to point towards a home win.

The Bucks, though, are going into the clash in high spirits. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with National League North leaders Chorley and the manner of it – Henry Cowans scoring a last-gasp leveller from long range – felt like a victory. It was exactly the show of character Gavin Cowan was looking for.

They responded to former Telford attacker Josh Wilson’s strike, which looked to have given the Magpies the win, to grab a well-deserved point, so could well cause Curzon a fair few problems.

When you delve into the statistics further as well, the odds are not so stacked against the Bucks.

Surprisingly, the Nash are yet to come out on top in the league at home – having two draws and four losses. The exceptional pitch, perhaps the best the division has to offer, has accentuated the strengths of John Flanagan’s side in the past – mainly their slick passing style.

But now other teams seem to have cottoned on to that, and have figured out a way to stop their flow.

The key for Telford is starting the game sharply because they were not able to at Warrington and paid the price.

A big positive for Cowan is that he has plenty of options at his disposal – no major injury worries.

James McQuilkin, who had been a regular starter for the Bucks, was left out of the squad against Chorley for tactical reasons but has looked sharp in training this week.

“James wasn’t in the squad through a matter of strategy,” said Cowan. “He was disappointed, of course, but he knows that it’s about the group and he’s a top lad.

“He’s been impeccable in training this week for us so I’m sure he’ll be back involved soon.”

While McQuilkin was not in the fold, Zak Lilly made his first appearance in 18 months for Telford.

The 20-year-old was converted from a striker to a defender over the summer and was part of a back three alongside skipper Shane Sutton and Theo Streete.

“I said after the Warrington game that every position is up for grabs and everybody has responded really well, they’re all eager to impress and get into the team,” added Cowan.

“I brought Zak in last week and, to a lot of people, he came in from nowhere.

“He didn’t to me though as he’s been doing really well in training. And he played well.

“It’s a system we tried out and Zak did a good job so we’ve got some good options moving forward.”

It is the final game of Callum Cockerill-Mollett’s month-long loan from Walsall but Steph Morley has started at left-back the last two weeks and performed well.

Cockerill-Mollett was left out of the 16 last weekend and is likely to return to the Banks’s Stadium.