Holloway shows a touch of class

ON THE MARK . . . Aaron Amadi-Holloway

AARON Amadi-Holloway's superb, crisp and inventive finish and an energetic second-half display down the right from Ryan McLaughlin were the major highlights of another satisfactory run-out for Athletic.

The 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton saw Amadi-Holloway net for the second time in five days, this time in full view of the public who saw him deftly flick in a cross by Paul Green early in the second half.

Daniel Shaw levelled from close range for the competitive hosts from a badly defended corner that rebounded his way after a block. It left trialist goalkeeper Niklas Bolten, who looked assured with the gloves and using his feet, with no chance.

Both strikes came in the second half of a game in which Athletic boss John Sheridan fielded his strongest side after the break.

In this instance, that didn't include Cameron Dummigan or Ousmane Fane - both of whom played the first 45 minutes, alongside two outfield trialists. One was ex-Port Vale man Enoch Andoh and the other, German winger Reagy Ofosu.

Athletic lacked cohesion before the interval. Darius Osei almost embarrassed home goalkeeper Cameron Mason by nicking the ball off his toes and firing narrowly wide from an acute angle and Andoh headed over at the far post when well-placed but under pressure from a defender at his back.

Changing all 10 outfield players at the break, Athletic were far better in the second half and should have converted more chances.

Amadi-Holloway's goal was levelled shortly after the hour by Shaw, but the opportunities were all Athletic's after that.

Green's snap-shot from close range forced a sharp reaction save from Mason and Craig Davies fluffed a header from one of a number of sharp raids and swinging crosses by McLaughlin, playing in an advanced role on the right.

FIZZING

Amadi-Holloway's fizzing low shot from 20 yards was pushed out and in the closing stages, Davies was sent clean in on goal but had to contend with a ball that would not sit down in time to get a clean shot away and was comfortably blocked off.

Curzon Ashton: Mason, Baillie, Regan, Hunt, Howson, Shaw, Guest, Marshall, Cummins, M Leonard, Bakkor. Subs: Thornley, Latham, Rowney, Wright, McKenzie, Fallon, R Leonard, Shenton.

Athletic (first half, 4-4-2): Bolten; Dummigan, Edmundson, Stott, Mantack; Ofosu, Fawns, Fane, Andoh; Obadeyi, Osei.

Athletic (second half, 4-4-2): Bolten; Wilson, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt; McLaughlin, Banks, Green, Flynn; Amadi-Holloway, Davies.