Chris living the dream
Reporter: Tony Bugby
Date published: 10 November 2008
HITTING THE HEADLINES: Oldhamer Chris Worsley scored the opening goal for non-league Curzon Ashton in their FA Cup giant-killing defeat ofCoca-Cola League Two high-flyers Exeter City, a side four divisions and 98 places higher in the footballing pyramid
FA CUP hero Chris Worsley's feet were back on the ground today as he returned to work as a forklift truck driver in a Royton warehouse.
The 21-year-old, who works at Money Controls, played a starring role as non-league Curzon Ashton caused a massive upset with their 3-2 first-round victory over Coca-Cola League Two high-fliers Exeter City.
Midfield-man Worsley, who lives in Waterhead, scored the opening goal for the UniBond League division one north minnows, who overcame opponents four divisions and 98 places higher in the footballing pyramid.
It was a dream come true for Worsley who joined Curzon from Manchester League club Springhead.
Former Counthill School pupil Worsley said: "It was a special day and the highlight of my football career.
"I was up against Marcus Stewart who, as a kid, I used to watch playing on Match Of The Day when he was scoring goals for Sunderland."
Worsley savoured his goal even more because earlier in the week he thought he would miss the cup tie through suspension.
"I thought my one-match ban started on Saturday and I was devastated that I was going to miss the game, only to be told the suspension begins today," said the former Pine Villa junior.
There was considerable local interest in Saturday’s cup shock as former Oldham Town pair James Ogoo and Dave Carnell were also pivotal figures in the biggest game in the club’s history.
Midfield-player Ogoo scored a spectacular second goal, while goalkeeper Carnell made a number of important saves.
Hotel-porter Ogoo, capped by Gambia and who has played against the likes of George Weah and Titi Camara on the international stage, played for Hollinwood in the Manchester League and Oldham Town before joining Curzon.
Curzon, who have picked up £49,500 from their FA Cup exploits, stunned Exeter by establishing a 3-0 lead after 79 minutes, the last of them coming from Mike Norton, who has scored 136 goals for the club in less than three-and-a-half seasons.
Exeter score two late goals through substitute Steve Basham and Dean Moxey to set up a nervous finish for Curzon, whose president Jack Crompton, the Royton-based former Manchester United goalkeeper, was among the crowd of 1,259.
Curzon’s reward is a second-round tie at Kidderminster Harriers and victory in that could set up a huge pay-day against a Premier League side.
ATHLETIC helped Curzon to stage their big match as they supplied stewards to ensure the smooth running of the off-the-field operations.