Tuesday 26th July 2005
@ Seel Park, Mossley

Mossley
1. Ian Willcock
2. Jordan Goodeve
3. Andy Thackeray
4. Melford Knight
5. Steve Sheil
6. Paul Challinor
7. Rhodri Giggs
8. Josh Howard
9. Phil Denney
10. Chris Downey
11. Adam Morning
subs
12. Nicky Thompson
14. Micheal Gillan
15. Joe Shaw
16. Chuku Otutu
17. Nicky Thompson
18. Steve Owens

scorers:
Mossley
Shaw (74)

Bury
Barlow (76)
Barlow (79)

Mossley gave a good account of themselves against a League Two Bury side containing practically their full first team. That Mossley didn't win the game is down solely to two unfortunate errors of judgment moments after the Lilywhites had taken a 74th minute lead.
Mossley were forced to play on the break as Bury passed the ball well in midfield but found the home defence well organised and impenetrable. On the rare occasion the visitors got their shot away Ian Willcock got himself solidly behind the ball to keep out efforts from Sedgemore and Barlow. At the other end Adam Morning put in a string of excellent crosses from the left that brought out the best in Bury keeper Edwards.
Bury began the second half with the same line up that finished the first half while Mossley replaced Chris Downey with trialist striker Steve Owens from Macclesfield Town. Owens movement and pace caused problems for the Bury defence and it was his run past Fitzgerald and his low cross was swept home by fellow trialist Joe Shaw who had replaced Melford Knight a few minutes earlier.
The lead was short lived though as a harmless looking through ball saw trialist Chuku Otutu cushion a weak header intended for WIllcock into the path of Stuart Barlow who nipped in the gap between defender and keeper to score easily. Three minutes later Bury scored the winner with a freak goal. A cross from the left bounced up at an astonishing angle to wrong foot Willcock and Stuart Barlow was left with another simple finish.
All in all it was a very encouraging performance by Mossley against full time opposition and another step in the right direction with the season looming ever closer.
On Saturday Mossley entertain Droylsden fresh from their 5-1 triumph over an allegedly full strength Macclesfield Town side.