Downey saves the day!
Belper Town 1 Mossley 1
UniBond League Division One
Saturday 11th September 2004 - 3.00 pm
@ Christchurch Meadow, Belper
Referee M R Swift
Attendance 239


17°C - wind W/SW 17mph

 

Belper Town
1. Ingham
2. Ashley
3. Butler (cptn)
4. Crookes
5. Peet
6. Danlyk
7. Lyons
8. Hudson
9. Nazha
10. Walker
11. Murray
12. Foster
14. Carter
15. Kettle

Mossley
1. Lee Bracey (9)
2. Carl Rezai (6)
3. Matty Taylor (7)
4. Steve Sheil (8)
5. Billy McCartney (cptn) (7)
6. Josh Howard (7)
7. Rhodri Giggs (7)
8. Tony Coyne (7)
9. Leon Mike (7)
10. Chris Downey (9)
11. John Hore (8)
12. Adam Morning (7) (for Mike 67 mins)
14. Mario Daniel (7) (for Giggs 80 mins)
15. -

If Mossley thought they could carry on where they left off on Tuesday night they were sadly mistaken as a Belper side strengthened by the signing of Lebanese International centre forward Wael Nazha caused the visitors plenty of problems in a first half that the home side dominated. Belper worked hard to close down quickly and when the ball was knocked forward had a powerful outlet in the experienced Nazha. Leon Mike and Chris Downey were allowed no room at all to work and Mike came in for some particularly rough treatment from a team who had just been presented with the Fair Play award, but a leniant referee allowed Belper to 'get away with it' and never produced a yellow card all afternoon despite having to speak to Belper's captain Ritchie Butler on more than one occasion. Belper took the lead in the 12th minute when a flowing move opened the Mossley defence and Ben Walker was on hand to score easily from Hudson's cross. Lee Bracey made fine saves to deny Nazha and Walker as Belper generally ran the show, while Mike and Giggs both came close for a Mossley side who were strruggling to get into gear. After the break it was Mossley who took the initiative as Belper visibly waned and wave after wave of Mossley attack caused consternation in the home defence. Downey and Matty Taylor both went close. Mike saw his effort hit the bar while at the other end Murray saw a shot cannon off the top of the bar moments later. Mossley were fully deserving of their equaliser in the 63rd minute. John Hore hit a fine ball from deep on the right up to Chris Downey who fended off a couple of challenges before unleashing a superb 20 yard drive into the top corner. Leon Mike was then unfortunately stretchered off with a hamstring injury and the reshuffled Mossley continued to press for a winner. It was the home side though who came closest to snatching a dramatic late winner when Murray shook off Rezai's challenge but Bracey saved the day with a brilliant stop and in the end a draw was probably a fair result.


Chris Downey fires home Mossley's spectacular equaliser

pics courtesy of www.mossleymania.co.uk

Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Lee Bracey...made several top class saves!
Mossleyweb Verdict: Mossley refused to lie down and worked hard for the point!