Saturday 17th April 2006
@ Seel Park, Mossley

Mossley
1. Lee Bracey (7)
2. Andy Thackeray (8)
3. Nicky Thompson (8)
4. Paul Challinor (8)
5. Karl Vernon (7)
6. Joel Pilkington (8) Y
7. Joe Shaw (7)
8. Martin Allison (8)
9. Rhodri Giggs (7)
10. Anthony Bingham (7) Y
11. Adam Morning (8)
subs
12. Melford Knight
(for Vernon 59 mins)
14. Paul Garvey
(for Bingham 53 mins)
15. Jordan Goodeve
(for Shaw 70 mins)

Mossley scorer:
Joel Pilkington (2 mins)

Clitheroe
1. Collins
2. Priestley
3. Garner Y
4. Parr
5. Anderson
6. Stansfield
7. Sunley
8. Reynolds
9. Featherstone
10. Coar
11. Roberts
subs
12. Avery
(for Parr)
14. Taylor
(for Sunley)
15. Gorton
(for Coar)

This vital game for Mossley against old North West Counties League foes Clitheroe was settled as early as the second minute thanks to a close range strike by midfielder Joel Pilkington.

It was Mossley's first of many raids down the left wing that brought the goal. Anthony Bingham, in for the injured Chris Downey, turned the ball around a defender to release Adam Morning who's low cross was turned home from six yards by the inrushing Pilkington.

Mossley went on to dominate for long spells but failed to get the second 'killer' goal on what proved to be a frustrating afternoon for the Mossley forwards as chance after chance went begging. Bingham (in the first half) and Morning (throughout the game) caused havoc for the visitors defence. Twice Bingham broke clear through sheer pace and persistence but fired high with his first effort and wide with his second. Joe Shaw also dribbled his way clear on the right but pulled a powerful shot wide.

Lee Bracey was finally called into action five minutes before the break when he dived full length to his right to deny Feathertone's effort. Clitheroe's only chance of the game.

There were more nerves in the crowd than on the field as Mossley continued to carve openings at will and then contrived to miss them. The trend continued after the break. Martin Allison headed wide from a great position, Adam Morning saw his fine effort from just outside the box come back off the bar, Rhodri Giggs was denied by the keeper at the near post, Melford Knight somehow fired wide of an open goal when it looked easier to score and Collinge twice saved well from Paul Garvey.

All this meant as the clock ran down was, that despite Clitheroe's failure to seriously threaten Mossley's goal despite some occasional decent passing moves, it was neccessary to spend stoppage time in the corners and keep the visitors from creating anything whatsoever that might threaten the Lilywhites slender lead.

All this said, Mossley were so far superior to their 'Lancashire' rivals that Clitheroe can thank themselves fortunate that Mossley had apparently left their collective shooting boots at home on this occasion.