Saturday 7th January 2006
@ Hollinwood Road, Kidsgrove

Mossley
1. Sam McEwen
2. Andy Thackeray
3. Steve Sheil
4. Paul Challinor
5. Danny Meadowcroft
6. Christian Cooke
7. Rhodri Giggs
8. Joel Pilington
9. Danny Campbell
10. Chris Downey
11. Joe Shaw
subs
12. Adam Morning
(for Campbell 45 mins)
14. Callum Dempsey
(for Meadowcroft (70 mins)
15. Arron Kirk
(not used)

Scorer:
Mossley
Chris Downey (56 mins)

Kidsgrove Athletic
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
subs
12.
(not used)
14.
(not used)
15.
(not used)

Mossley returned to Hollinwood Avenue for the second time in a week and the outcome was the same for this UniBond League Presidents cup game.

Kidsgrove learned from their previous defeat and started this time with Twigg and Eyre in the first eleven, Mossley were not allowed the same freedom as on Monday and found space and time a rare commodity.

Matthew Rhead upfront for Kidsgrove was creating space but no real penetration. Mossley grew stronger as the half went on but were restricted to half chances with the Kidsgrove Defence and Midfield keeping the game narrow. Richard Eyre's rash attempt on goal on 36 minutes was the closest either team came to scoring. Mossley defended resolutely and twice had to clear off the line from corners before the break.

A half time change to the Mossley line up saw winger Adam Morning coming on for the debutant Danny Campbell who had an ineffective performance. Morning's pace down the flanks was starting to pay dividends as Mossley at last found some of the attacking flair that has been their trademark. Giggs was now begining to cause the Kidsgrove fullbacks gounds for concern.

The deadlock was finally broken on 56 minutes when Joe Shaw raced into the box and fired a low shot which Stuart Heeps saved well only for the ball to rebound into the path of Chris Downey who with his back to goal turned and calmly fired the ball past the keeper and a defiant defender on the goal line.

It should have been two minutes later but for an offside flag, Giggs beat His marker and crossed to the back post to Adam Morning who squared the ball to Downey who thumped home from close range, only to find the officials flag raised against Adam Morning.

This seemed to open up the game and both teams played some expressive football on a by now heavy pitch. Mossley's defence stood strong to a man and beat off a Kidsgrove fight-back and played out the final minutes in the farthest corners of the pitch to run down time.

A different style and tempo of a game than that one played on Monday but the performance and result was the same from Mossley. A Quarter final tie at Ilkeston Town of the Premier Division now awaits Mossley on 11th February.

Report courtesy of Dave Buckley