Saturday 5th
September 2005
@ Seel Park, Mossley

Mossley
1. Lee Bracey (8)
2. Andy Thackeray (8)
3. Steve Sheil (8)
4. Paul Challinor (8)
5. Danny Meadowcroft (7)
6. Melford Knight (7)
7. Joe Shaw (8)
8. Joel Pilkington (6)
9. Leon Mike (6)
10. Rhodri Giggs (7)
11. Adam Morning (9)
subs
12. Christian Cooke
(for Pilkington 78)
14. Nehru McKenzie
(not used)
15. Anthony Bingham
(for Giggs 66)

Scorers:
Mossley
Adam Morning (6)
Danny Meadowcroft (30)
Rhodri Giggs (31)
Andy Thackeray (65)

Eastwood
1. Bryant
2. Fisher
3. Cooper
4. Bevan
5. Stevenson
6. Breach
7. Mitchell
8. Galloway
9. Knox
10. Francis
11. D.Meikle
subs
12. Mushambi
(for Francis)
14. Daniel
(not used)
15. L.Meikle
(for Cooper)

Mossley bounced back from the Manchester Cup defeat in the perfect way with a convincing 4-0 victory over Eastwood Town although the visitors can consider themselves a little unlucky to be on the end of such a thumping result!

After absorbing Eastwood's early pressure Mossley took the lead as early as the 6th minute. Leon Mike played a sweet ball out to the right wing where Rhodri Giggs was in full flow. With the Eastwood defence split wide open, keeper Bryant rushed off his line in a futile attempt to tackle Giggs and was in no-mans land as Giggs' delightful cross was headed into an all but unguarded net by Adam Morning.

Mossley began to dominate and the very lively Joe Shaw was unlucky to see his diving header come back of the bar. Mossley wide men Shaw and Morning were causing havoc for a somewhat sluggish Eastwood defence but the visitors were a threat themselves and Lee Bracey was on top form making great saves to deny Knox, Francis and Deon Meikle.

Mossley put the game all but beyond the Badgers reach with two goals in as many minutes on the half hour. Firstly Joe Shaw was upended wide on the right, Adam Morning floated in the free kick and skipper Danny Meadowcroft rose unmarked to head home his first goal of the season.

In their very next attack Morning again roasted his marker before crossing for former Mossley player Richard Bevan was unable to prevent Rhodri Giggs pressure forcing the ball home.

Eastwood were still seeing plenty of the ball but Mossley's defence was solid and when it was breached Bracey was again more than capable of preventing Meikle from reducing the arrears.

With Mossley playing into the wind after the break which had also developed into driving rain it became difficult for the hoem side to easily clear their lines but were still a threat with Shaw and Morning highly prominent in every attack.

The fourth goal finally arrived in the 65th minute when Andy Thackeray linked up with the attack superbly, played a deft one-two with Giggs and curled a great shot that Bryant was uable to keep out despite appearaing to get a full hand behind the ball at full stretch.

Mossley introduced striker Anthony Bingham for his debut and the former Bradford park Avenue striker looked a lively customer and he was involved in a bizaar last minute talking point. Bingham broke clear and was clearly brought down inside the box for what appeared a certain penalty. The referee initially gave nothing but the assistant was resolute and raised his flag.

After some discussion the referee strangely awarded a free kick to Mossley five yards back outside the penalty box. Leon Mike strode up to strike the free kick only for the ref to blow for time as the ball was on it's way to hitting the Eastwood post. It was a very strange ending to what had been a largely open and entertaining game in difficult conditions and there were no yellow cards.