Match Reports 2002-03 IT'S MOSSLEY'S CUP! Mossley 2 Clitheroe 1 Worthington NWCL Trophy Final @ Gigg Lane, Bury FC A League Cup record 917 crowd witnessed Mossley win their first silverware for over a decade at Bury's Gigg lane ground tonight winning the NWCL Worthington Trophy by beating League runners up Clitheroe for the third time this season. The game itself didn't really live up to expectations but was won with a fine goal right on the stroke of half time. Clitheroe were first out of the blocks with Whittingham a threat on the right while Mossley were looking to get the ball forward early with Rob Matthews and Russell Headley prominent. It was Mossley's best spell of the half that brought the opening goal. Rob Matthews ploughed a furrow up the middle and his shot from 20 yards took a deflection that looped the ball over keeper Richens and into the net on 25 minutes.With half time looming Clitheroe equalised right out of the blue. Mossley keeper Steve Hilton had a moment he will choose to forget. Clitheroe had posed very little threat on Mossley's goal when player manager Lee Sculpher's cross from the left was fumbled over the line by the big Mossley keeper. Clitheroe's joy was short lived however when just a minute before the break Headley won a corner on the left and Rob Matthews fine corner kick was powerfully and typically headed home by Mark Phillips for his 10th goal of an outstanding season. The second half was a war of attrition with neither side able to change the score. Clitheroe huffed and puffed but couldn't find a finish, not even a shot on target, while Mossley, equally unable to forge any further openings attempted to play keep ball despite tiring legs after a hectic end of season run in! The final whistle sounded to ecstatic cheers from Mossley players and fans alike and team captain Paul Taylor who had another outstanding game jubilantly received the Worthington Trophy to roars of approval! Roll on next season!!! Team: 1. Steve Hilton (6) 2. Josh Howard (8) 3. Neil Pointon (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (9) 6. Simon Heaton (7) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nick Welton (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Tony Coyne (7) (for Heaton) 14. Matty Cross (7) (for Pointon) 15. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Welton) Yellow cards: Heaton, Headley, Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor Verdict: A great end to an excellent if somewhat frustrating season! TC nets 100th League goal! Newcastle Town 2 Mossley 2 Captain for the day Tony Carroll netted Mossley's 100th and last League goal of a whirlwind Centenary Season to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle Town this afternoon. The home side got off to a great start taking the lead injust the 3rd minute. Andy Bott capilalised on some neat approach play to slot home from 18 yards. Newcastle's lead lasted only three further minutes though as Mossley forged an equalsier out of nothing Russ Headley attacked well down the left and his cross-cum-shot took a wicked deflection off Woodvine to wrong foot keeper Bentley. With regular centre backs Taylor and Phillips rested Neil Pointion and Steve Sheil took a while to settle but Pointon's distribution from the back was a different class and Sheil rose to the occasion with his best performance in a Mossley shirt. Mossley had gained the upper hand when Newcastle surprisingly regained the lead on 36 minutes with a fine strike from Daryl Wilkes. Newcastle slowerd the game down after the break and Mossley's frustration was tempered by some high tempo breaks. Simon Heaton went close with a great run and shot, Sheil was denied by a great save and Howard was denied a rare goal when he hit the side netting. Mossley's equaliser was a special moment for Tony Carroll who bagged his 35th goal of a prolific season. The move began with Matthews and Trees (back from injury) on the right before Carroll saw his effort blaocked by Bentley. The ball broke left for Headley who found Heaton and finally Tony Carroll again who this time made no mistake with a fine finish. Steve Hilton came to Mossley's rescue with a great double save while Newcastle substitute Dean Gillick has much to answer for after flattening Headley with his first challenge and only being yellow carded for a horible tackle from behind that prevented Tony Carroll from gaining a scoring opportunity and led to his early departure with a badly bruised ankle. Mossley nearly snatched victory when Matthews vbroke dow the right and his cross was narrowly missed by both substitute Stefan Lewis and Nick Welton. Team: 1. Steve Hilton (8) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Matty Cross (7) 4. Stephen Sheil (8) 5. Neil Pointon (8) 6. Simon Heaton (8) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Josh Howard (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nick Welton (7) 11. Russ Headley (8) Subs: 12. Stefan Lewis (6) (for Carroll) 14. Paul Lythe (not used) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Stephen Sheil Verdict: TC's 35th goal gives him the highest total by a Mossley player since Dave Moore's 41 in the 1978-79! Mossley have reached 100 League goals for the first time since the same season and for only the 4th time in the club's 100 year history! The 88 points total is equal to that acheived when Mossley finished runners up in 1998-99! Mossley win last home game! Mossley 2 Squires Gate 1 Injury hit Mossley were made to battle all the way by a lively Squires Gate side at Seel Park tonight. With keepers Steve Hilton and Paul Lythe held up in motorway traffic Mossley amazingly began the game with injured midfielder Tony Coyne between the sticks. Coyne did a job all although he was only called into action as a long range effort flashed wide of his left hand post. This came after Mossley had taken a third minute lead. Paul Taylor lofted a long goal kick that Nick Welton reacted to and he delicately lobbed the visitors advancing keeper. Mossley werre generally dominant despite an unfamiliar central midfield of Matty Cross and Simon Heaton but carved few real chances. Coyne was replaced by Steve Hilton to rapturous applause after fifteeen minutes with his goal intact. Mossley were rocked in the 51st minute when Scott Bradford scored a stunning equaliser, turning inside Mark Phillips he unleashed a great curled effort into the far corner beyond Hilton's despairing reach. Gate's joy was short lived though as Rob Matthews harrassed a defender into losing possession on the bi-line and although Welton missed his cross Tony Carroll was on hand to rap home his 34th goal of a prolific season. The game stretched saw Gate apply plenty of pressure but Mossley were dangerous on the break and the visitors were unable to create any clear opportunities. Hopes of runners up spot were dashed as news came through of Clitheroe's 4-0 demolition of Nantwich leaving Mossley to settle for third place. Team: 1. Tony Coyne (7) 2. Anthony Callaghan (8) 3. Steve Sheil (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Simon Heaton (8) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Matty Cross (7) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nick Welton (8) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Stefan Lewis (6) (for Matthews) 14. Steve Hilton (7) (for Coyne) 15. Paul Lythe (not used) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Nick Welton Verdict: Nice to end the home season with a victory but the overall disappointment is immense! That's more like it! Mossley 3 Clitheroe 1 Mossley gave a much improved performance to brush aside the challenge of second placed Clitheroe and gain the psychological advantage just ten days before the sides meet again at Gigg Lane, Bury in the Final of the Worthington Trophy. Mossley welcomed back Nathan Brooke and Steve Hilton from injury and made a positive start pressing Clitheroe right from the start and taking an early two goal lead. In only the 5th minute Neil Pointon fed Russ Headley on the left he in turn fed Rob Matthews who’s flick set up Nathan Brooke to swivel and volley home from eight yards. Three minutes later it was teenager Brooke who struck again when he headed home from close range following a fine run and left wing cross from Russ Headley. Mossley were in complete control and spent the remainder of the half playing good quality pass and move football that threatened to over-run their highly rated visitors. Brooke unfortunately limped out of the action on the half hour with a recurrence of the thigh injury that had kept him out of recent games and at half time Tony Coyne was forced to withdraw with an ankle injury. Replacements Nick Welton and Simon Heaton both performed well as Mossley continued to dominate in the second half, while at the other end Steve Hilton remained relatively untroubled. Mossley finally added a third on 70 minutes. Rob Matthews took a short corner on the left and Russ Headley beat two defenders before curling a great right foot effort into the top corner. Clitheroe finally reduced the arrears eight minutes later when Gary Jackson caught Mossley on the break to fire home from 15 yards, but it was too little too late for the visitors who had been totally out-played for the most part. Bring on the Cup Final! Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Josh Howard (7) 3. Neil Pointon (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6.Tony Coyne (7) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (7) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nathan Brooke (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (7) (for Brooke) 14. Simon Heaton (7) (for Coyne) 15. Stephen Sheil (7) (for Pointon). Yellow card: Coyne MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Russell Headley Verdict: Hopes for runners up spot still persist after a much better display! Lilywhites lose two goal lead again! Glossop North End 2 Mossley 2 For the second time in recent games Mossley lost a two goal lead against inferior opposition, this time at local rivals Glossop. Mossley got off to a great start and tore into the relegation threatened hosts from the off. It took only five minutes to edge in front. Rob Matthews was fouled outside left corner of the area and Tony Carroll curled a great free kick into the top corner. Mossley’s football at this stage was flowing and a second goal came ten minutes later—at a time when Glossop had barely been out of their own half. Simon Heaton floated a free kick from the right, Mark Phillips thundered a header against the bar and Rob Matthews volleyed home the rebound from ten yards. Heaton then hit the bar and Matthews had a good penalty shout ignored before Glossop scored with their first attack as Elliott Prest scored from close range after Paul Lythe had struggled to reach a high cross from the left. Unbelievably Glossop were level seven minutes later when Lythe fumbled Wild’s effort and Morris forced the ball home. Carroll hit the bar as Mossley forced the play again and in the second half he hit the woodwork once more. Phillips missed a header he would normally bury as Mossley pressed on and Matthews had a header saved well by Williams but Glossop held firm and occasionally threatened on the break as the game fizzled out to stalemate and Mossley’s top two hopes are the latest to take a nosedive. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (5) 2. Daniel Jackson (5) 3. Neil Pointon (6) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (6) 7. Simon Heaton (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (7) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Rob Matthews (7) 11. Russell Headley (5) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (7) (for Jackson) 14. Steve Sheil (6) (for Taylor) 15. Ally Pickering (not used). MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips Verdict: More end of season disappointment! Fluke goal is costly! Nantwich Town 1 Mossley 0 Nantwich Town completed an unlikely double over Mossley at a windswept Jackson Avenue this afternoon. A bumpy uneven surface coupled with the strong end to end wind made passing football all but impossible and both sides were forced to play a more route one approach, but chances for either side were at a premium throughout. Mossley had a great early chance however, when Rob Matthews released Tony Carroll but home keeper Simon Pay won the one on one challenge and Nantwich survived. Play was generally poor as both sides struggled to retain possession on the bumpy surface and it was the same after the break.Carroll made another good chance for himself when he cut inside from the dead ball line but again Pay was equal to the challenge as he beat away his effort. The game was heading for stalemate when with just five minutes remaining speedy winger Simon Hackney raced clear on the left and his cross was carried in the wind over the despairing Paul Lythe and in off the foot of the far post. Mossley then had Anthony Callaghan dismissed for a second bookable offence and Mossley were forced not only to concede defeat but also the title as Prescot's 5-0 win over Winsford all but guarantees them promotion. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (6) 2. Josh Howard (7) 3. Steve Sheil (6) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (6) 7. Simon Heaton (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (7) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Rob Matthews (6) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Daniel Jackson (6) 14. Nick Welton (7) 15. Stefan Lewis (6) Red card: Callaghan Yellow cards: Carroll, Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor Verdict: Poor game, poor result! TC double sinks Colls! Atherton Collieries 0 Mossley 2 Goalkeeper Steve Hilton injured a knee in the warm up to tonight's game at Atherton Colls forcing reserve keeper Paul Lythe into a surprise start, but he gave a good display in keeping a clean sheet as Mossley eased to a reasonably comfortable win over a hard working but basic home side who are fighting against relegation. With Neil Pointon suspended it was fortunate that Mark Phillips and Anthony Callaghan were fit to return to the fray. Callaghan got his customary booking as early as the first minute on a pitch more suited to cross country hiking than football. Mossley were dominant throughout the first half with Josh Howard and Simon Heaton in great form on the right. The two combined in the 15th minute, releasing Callaghan on the right and his pin-point cross was headed home from close range by the outstanding Tony Carroll. Carroll and Rob Matthews were causing all kinds of consternation in the home defence and Matthews was unlucky when he hit a post from a tight angle as Mossley sought to press home their advantage despite playing up the considerable Alder Street slope.Atherton's best chance fell to Brickell who dragged a shot across the goal .After the interval Atherton came more into the game and Lythe was forced into a couple of good saves but Mossley were still a threat going forward and were finally rewarded eight minutes from time when Matthews and Carroll worked a one-two and Carroll rifled an 18 yard drive into the roof of the net to seal the points. Carroll was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick in the last minute when he lobbed just over after a defensive mix up. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (8) 2. Josh Howard (8) 3. Steve Sheil (7) 4. Paul Taylor (7) 5. Mark Phillips (8) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Simon Heaton (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (9) 10. Rob Matthews (7) 11. Russ Headley (7) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (not used) 14. Ally Pickering (7) (for Phillips) Yellow card: Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Tony Carroll Verdict: Solid performance on a terrible surface! A game too far! Mossley 0 Nantwich Town 3 It was a game too far for injury hit Mossley this afternoon as the Lilywhites crashed to their heaviest home defeat in three years against a youthful Nantwich Town. The simple fact is - Nantwich (one game in three weeks) looked fresh while Mossley (4 games in 8 days) looked jaded. Mossley had made a bright start with Tony Carroll twice going close to opening the scoring before the Dabbers took a 26th minute lead with a fine angled 25 yard strike by Vernon Rolland. Rolland was involved in Nantwich's second nine minutes later when Neil Pointon recklessly upended him in the box and veteran skipper Dave Gardner crashed home the spot kick. The outcome of the game was decided when, minutes later, young defender Stephen Sheil was red carded after tangling with Rolland who was only shown yellow. Then Rob Trees was helped off with a groin injury to be replaced by Josh Howard. After the break Mossley attempted to press forward but the final ball was again disappointing and despite plenty of pressure Mossley didn't really look like scoring, a rare thing this season! The speedy Nantwich strikers caused problems for Mossley's now three man defence throughout the half but Paul Taylor, Pointon and Tony Coyne were solid. Nantwich scored a third when Knight headed home unmarked from a right wing corner and Mossley were lucky not to be reduced to nine men when Steve Hilton upended Wilkinson when one on one outside the box and was fortunate to only see a yellow card brandished by a referee whose overall performance was nothing short of abysmal. Garner's free kick was then spectacularly saved by Hilton.With tempers visibly frayed by the end it is unfortunate that the teams will meet again at Nantwich next Saturday! News that Prescot had lost again didn't cheer up anyone! Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Neil Pointon (6) 4.Steve Sheil (5) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Nick Welton (6) 8. Simon Heaton (6) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (6) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Rob Matthews (7) (for Welton) 14. Josh Howard (7) (for Trees) 15. Paul Lythe (not used) Red card: Sheil Yellow card: Coyne, Hilton MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Tony Coyne Verdict: Jaded, injury hit and generally poor show! Mossley hammer poor Winsford! Mossley 4 Winsford United 0 Mossley striker Tony Carroll scored his fourth hat-trick of the season as Mossley beat struggling Winsford United 4-0 at a canter at Seel Park on Thursday night. The result was never in doubt as Winsford failed to mount a serious attack in the entire 90 minutes after arriving at Seel park with just 11 players—no substitutes. Having said that the first half hour saw Mossley unable to prize open a packed defence and were often frustrated by a poor final ball while Winsford were content to just hump the ball forward in the hope that ex Leigh RMI striker Troy Hayder may get on the end of something—he didn’t, mainly due to the outstanding Paul Taylor and 17 year old debutant Daniel Jackson. Mossley had lost Matty Cross early in the game as he was stretchered off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Steve Sheil. Mossley finally took the lead in the 34th minute. Rob Matthews floated a corner from the right youngster Jackson had his effort blocked on the line and Tony Carroll was on hand to score from close range. Mossley doubled the lead five minutes after the interval. Simon Heaton’s right wing corner was powerfully headed home from 18 yards by substitute Stephen Sheil. Mossley began to carve open the visitors overworked defence with Russ Headley and substitute Nick Welton causing problems on the flanks. Bradley Wosahlo on for Rob Matthews missed a sitter when Welton and Carroll gave him an open goal but unfortunately he blazed his shot over the bar. Mossley’s third goal finally arrived in the 70th minute when Heaton and Welton worked a move on the right and the latter crossed brilliantly for Tony Carroll to power home a header from close range. The fourth and final goal came eight minutes from time. Wosahlo was baulked in the box and Tony Carroll wiped away the memory of Tuesday night’s miss as he blasted home his hat-trick goal from the penalty spot to reach 30 for the season. Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Matthew Cross (-) 4. Daniel Jackson (8) 5. Paul Taylor (9) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Simon Heaton (7) 8. Josh Howard (7) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Rob Matthews (7) 11. Russ Headley (7) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (7) (for Jackson) 14. Steve Sheil (7) (for Cross) 15. Bradley Wosahlo (6) (for Matthews) Yellow card: Carroll MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor Verdict: A Comfortable victory, albeit against a very poor side! Missed penalty could be costly!! Ramsbottom United 2 Mossley 2 A 78th minute penalty miss by top scorer Tony Carroll could prove to be the straw the broke the camel’s back as Mossley lost a two goal lead at a very bumpy Riverside ground on Tuesday night. Good football was all but impossible on a terrible surface and a goalless first half was dominated by aerial duels that Mossley won comfortably . The only real talking point of the half was a Tony Carroll goal that was ruled out for offside when clearly he wasn’t. Mossley finally took the lead in the 57th minute. Neil Pointon launched a long throw in from deep on the left Carroll flicked on and Simon Heaton arrived to head home his first goal in his second spell with the club. Five minutes later the points appeared to be wrapped up when Matty Cross left wing centre was headed home by Tony Carroll. However, Ramy clawed their way back in the game when Gareth Gardiner’s free kick out on the left touch line evaded everyone and nestled in the bottom corner and in their next attack the dangerous Glyn Barker scored a dramatic equaliser. A hand ball in the area saw Mossley awarded a penalty that should have given them the victory that they probably deserved but Carroll hit his penalty weakly to keeper Simon Marsh’s right and he was able to smother the ball easily. Substitute Bradley Wosahlo had Mossley’s best chance thereafter but his header went straight at Marsh when it looked like he must score. One disappointing factor was the blatant time wasting employed by the home side, especially when their bench rolled a new ball onto the pitch fifty yards from where it was needed and then waved at the Mossley fans as they booed their disapproval. Team: 1. Steve Hilton (6) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Neil Pointon (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (6) 7. Simon Heaton (7) 8. Josh Howard (6) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Rob Matthews (7) 11. Matthew Cross (7) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (not used) 14. Ally Pickering (not used) 15. Bradley Wosahlo (6) (for Coyne) Yellow cards: Trees, Cross MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Neil Pointon Verdict: A draw that felt like a defeat is hard to swallow! 1-0 again!! Mossley 1 Warrington Town 0 Mossley began this game by playing glorious football in glorious sunshine and threatening to tear Warrington apart with some flowing pass and move football. Chances created were generally dealt with by visitors keeper O'Hanlon, although several efforts fizzed wide of the target and a blatant hand-ball in the box was ignored by a poor referee in a one sided but goalless first half. Having said that Mossley could have fallen behind on the stroke of half time when Steve Hilton tipped Ashton's fierce drive onto the bar. Warrington began to believe in themselves more after the break and attempted to press forward but the home defence was again solid. Mossley finally took the lead they had threatened for so long in the 57th minute. Mark Phillips through ball found Tony Carroll who shrugged off a tackle and released teenager Nathan Brooke who confidently side footed past O'Hanlon's despairing dive. Mossley made a double substitution - with Cross and Sheil replacing Welton and Coyne and no sooner had that taken place than Brooke appeared to pull a muscle and limped off to be replaced by Wosahlo. The game, stretched in the hot sun, saw Cross hit the post after Matthews had set him up, while at the other end Hilton save twice in one-on-one situations as Warrington counter attacked quickly. The final whistle saw a cheer of relief more than joy but Prescot dropping points at ALR keeps the dream alive! Team: 1. Steve Hilton (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Neil Pointon (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Simon Heaton (9) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Tony Coyne (7) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Nathan Brooke (8) 11. Nick Welton (7) Subs: 12. Bradley Wosahlo (7) (for Brooke) 14. Matthew Cross (7) (for Welton) 15. Steve Sheil (7) (for Coyne) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Simon Heaton Verdict: 1-0 will do! Prescot drawing is a bonus! TC strike is just enough! Mossley 1 Fleetwood Town 0 Mossley dominated this game for long spells but were unable to add to a Tony Carroll’s 14th minute goal and were nearly punished late in the game when Fleetwood finally rallied and created a couple of late scares. Fleetwood began well playing with a strong wind at their backs and attempted to force Mossley onto the back foot but the Lilywhites, full of ideas and quality looked dangerous every time they came forward. The only goal was of the game was of the highest quality and was fully deserved by the time it arrived in the 14th minute. Tony Carroll robbed a Fleetwood defender and played the ball wide to Josh Howard on the left his run and cross were of the highest quality and Carroll was there on the end of it to powerfully head home his 26th goal of the season, equalling Bradley Wosahlo’s top scorer total of last season. Mossley were not helped by an injury to midfielder Anthony Callaghan as he limped out of the action just after the goal to be replaced by Simon Heaton causing a midfield reshuffle. Chances were few thereafter but new striker Nathan Brooke was unlucky when straight through on goal, he rounded keeper Banks but was forced wide and his pull back was just too short for the inrushing Simon Heaton. At the other end Steve Hilton was relatively untroubled, as Trees, Taylor, Phillips and Pointon were in no mood to give the visiting forwards any room at all and the only shot they managed was a twenty yard effort by top scorer Catlow that flew over the bar. If Mossley hoped to have the wind at their backs in the second half they were to be disappointed as the wind changed direction and dropped somewhat as the game progressed. There were again few chances in the second half with Carroll having a couple of shots blocked and Brooke again unable to finish after taking on the keeper one on one. Fleetwood seemed to lack the belief that they could salvage something but finally tested Hilton late in the game but the big keeper was equal to the task and Mossley secured another important three points. Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Neil Pointon (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (9) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (5) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nathan Brooke (7) 11. Josh Howard (8) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (7) (for Matthews) 14. Steve Sheil (not used) 15. Simon Heaton (7) (for Callaghan) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor Verdict: Sometimes one goal is all it takes! Convincing Mossley !! Alsager Town 1 Mossley 4 Mossley coasted to a comfortable win at in form Alsager this afternoon. It took the visitors only 11 minutes to break the deadlock on a bone dry pitch. Josh Howard jinked his way into the left hand corner of the box and when the keeper made a hash of his cross Rob Matthews was on hand to drive the ball into the bottom corner. In a scrappy first half Mossley had the edge but Alsager hit the woodwork through Steve Taafe and Russ Headley cleared a corner off the line following a scramble. After the interval Mossley pressed forward with more conviction and doubled the lead on 57 minutes. Matthews set up Anthony Callaghan who's excellent right wing cross was headed home by the stooping Tony Carroll. Mossley were comfortably in control but were shocked in the 80th minute when Steve Grocott drove home a fine left foot drive. The conceded goal galvanised Mossley though and a third goal followed three minutes later. Matthews fierce shot was parried by keeper Powner, Headley headed back accross goal and substitute Bradley Wosahlo headed home from close range for his first goal since his return to the squad. Mossley wrapped up the scoring four minutes from time Callaghan's right wing corner was laid off by Wosahlo for debutant substitute Nathan Brooke to cut inside and fire a left foot drive into the roof of the net. Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Steve Sheil (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (9) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. TonyCarroll (7) 10. Nick Welton (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Nathan Brooke (8) (for Welton) 14. Tony Coyne (7) (for Howard) 15. Bradley Wosahlo (7) (for Carroll) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Rob Matthews VERDICT: Excellent result against in form homesters! Skem hang on for point!! Mossley 1 Skelmersdale United 1 Mossley were inevitably frustrated by Skelmersdale United at Seel Park tonight in what was a thoroughly entertaining game played at a high tempo. Mossley were quick out of the blocks and appeared to be back to something like top form, playing some flowing football and were finally rewarded for their dominance in the 18th minute. Matthews worked down the right and Carroll set up Nick Welton who's effort was blocked by Skem keeper Rob Holcroft only for Russell Headley to net the rebound from eight yards. Mossley continued their pass and move football but too often the final ball was lacking and Skem looked dangerous on the break with Mike Heverin proving a real handful, and it was he who won Skem a 30th minute penalty when he turned Mark Philips and went over maybe a little too easily. Peter Holcroft rammed home the spot kick. Mossley had a penalty claim waved away when Standley handled Headley's through ball. After the break the game became one way traffic as Mossley attacked in waves but found what was by now an eight man Skem defence all but impenetrable and when a shot did get through the massed legs Rob Holcroft made a great save to deny Matthews and two further vociferous penalty claims were ignored when twice Mark Phillips was blatantly impeded when trying to head goalwards at set pieces. Skem were happy to constantly hoof the ball to safety and run the clock down being thoroughly relieved at the final whistle to have snatched a point they barely deserved! News of Prescot's victory over Newcastle was less than well received! Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Neil Pointon (9) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nick Welton (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Steve Sheil (not used) 14. Simon Heaton (not used) 15. Tony Coyne (not used) yellow card: Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Neil Pointon VERDICT: Maybe be the end of promotion hopes for another year! Mossley run riot!! Mossley 8 Flixton 0 A tale of two goalkeepers unfolded today at Seel Park. For Mossley - new signing Steve Hilton was making his debut and he barely touched the ball in the entire 90 minutes. In goal for Flixton was one time Mossley keeper Richard Bibby, who performed heroics to prevent the home side running up a record score. It was also a big day for young central defender Steve Sheil who scored a hat-trick against his former club and Tony Carroll who bagged his third treble of the season. Mossley took the lead in the 6th minute when Sheil prodded home after Flixton had failedf to clear Simon Heaton's right wing corner. In the 14th minute Sheil doubled the lead when he powerfully headed home another corner this time from Matty Cross' right wing cross. Bibby made fine saves from Carroll and Welton, then in the 33rd minute Tony Carroll scored his first of the afternoon latching onto Sheil's through ball to calmly slot home and four minutes later Carroll hit his second when Pointon's pin point through ball set him clear to finish coolly. Bibby kept the score down after the break with another couple of fine saves before Mossley added a fifth on 62 minutes. Cross' right wing corner was flicked on by Simon Heaton for Steve Sheil to knock home his hat-trick from eight yards. Two minutes later Russell Headley crossed from deep on the right and Tony Carroll completed his hat-trick with a close range tap-in. Goal of the game arrived in the 78th minute when Neil Pointon robbed a Flixton forward, strode confidently forward and unleashed a tremendous left foot pile-driver into the top corner from fully 35 yards. Bibby was again the hero for the beleaguered visitors when making fine saves to deny substitutes Matthews and Wosahlo. Steve Hilton received a cheer for his first and only save of the game when he dived to his left to collect a weak shot from Ekpo. The scoring was completed five minutes from time when Matthews cross saw captain for the day Mark Phillips head against a post only fror the ball to bounce back into the net off defender Barton. Team: 1. Steve Hilton (7) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Neil Pointon (8) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Steve Sheil (9) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Simon Heaton (8) 8. Tony Coyne (7) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Nick Welton (7) 11. Matthew Cross (9) Subs: 12. Rob Matthews (7) (for Trees) 14. Bradley Wosahlo (7) (for Welton) 15. Russell Headley (7) (for Coyne) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: Too one sided for words! Sloppy Mossley slip up!! St Helens Town 2 Mossley 1 Mossley gave a sloppy performance in going down 2-1 at a workmanlike but basic St.Helens side at Knowsley Road tonight despite taking a second minute lead. Tony Coyne was brought down 22 yards out. Tony Carroll rifled the free kick against the bar and Josh Howard was on hand to head home the rebound from six yards. Unfortunately for Mossley, who had opened confidently, St. Helens replied with their first attack two minutes later when a neat move down the right ended with Bowden scoring with a fierce shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.Mossley worked hard but made too many mistakes while the home side's long ball game was for some reason copied to poor effect by Mossley. It was a shock though when St. Helens went in front a minute before the interval when Bermingham crossed powerfully from out on the left wing and his effort swerved into the top corner leaving Mossley keeper Lythe grasping at air. The second half saw wave after wave of Mossley attacks but too often the final ball was lacking and when it wasn't, Nick Welton was the culprit as he missed a couple of decent chances and Rob Matthews was denied by the keeper's legs, while in a couple of rare St.Helens attacks Lythe was called on to make very good saves. Mossley's off form huff and puff proved inevitably futile though as St.Helens grabbed points they hardly needed by effectively hoofing the ball towards the corners while defending with a back six and an off-side trap that caught out Tony Carroll on as many as eight occasions. Mossley's title hopes have taken a potentially severe dent, but the race isn't not over yet! Team: 1. Paul Lythe (8) 2. Simon Heaton (5) 3. Neil Pointon (7) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (7) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Tony Coyne (7) 9. Tony Carroll (6) 10. Nick Welton (7) 11. Russell Headley (5) Subs: 12. Matthew Cross (6) (for Heaton) 14. Stephen Sheil (not used) 15. Rob Hackney (not used) Yellow card: Howard, Lythe, Matthews MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor VERDICT: Very disappointing! Things need freshening up! Title dream lives on!! Mossley 1 Salford City 0 Mossley made hard work of beating a rebuilt Salford team at Seel Park this afternoon and were forced to dig deep to get the three points. The home side completely dominated the first half but were unable to break the deadlock. Wosahlo, Carroll, Matthews and Coyne all had chances with Salford keeper McVey pulling off some very unorthadox saves. Salford's goal remained in tact as much by luck as management and more pressure from Mossley after the interval finally resulted in the Lilywhites taking a 60th minute lead. Substitute Nick Welton, on for Wosahlo, gave Salford a new set of problems and his flick on found Tony Carroll who in turn set up Rob Matthews who coolly tempted the goalkeeper before classily finishing in the corner. Neil Pointon was then unluckily yellow carded before with fifteen minutes remaining he was cautioned again for deliberate hand-ball and Mossley were reduced to ten men. Salford then senced there may be something in it for them and beganto press forward dangerously. Clarke and Francis Vaughan both hit the woodwork and Paul Lythe, untroubled for much of the match, made a couple of excellent saves to keep the lead in tact. News of Prescot's defeat at Alsager leaves Mossley's fate now in their own hands. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Neil Pointon (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Tony Coyne (8) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Nick Welton (8) (for Wosahlo) 14. Matthew Cross (7) (for Headley) 15. Stephen Sheil (7) (for Carroll) Yellow card: Pointon Red card: Pointon MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Josh Howard VERDICT: Sometimes you just have to dig out a result!! It's so easy for Mossley!! Atherton LR 0 Mossley 3 Mossley strolled to a comfortable victory at windy Crilly Park this evening to close the gap on Prescot and revive Mossley's outside hopes of running the title race close. Mossley were on top throughout a largely one sided game that will be remembered for an off the ball incident more than the game itself. Atherton central defender Gallagher was dismissed twenty minutes from time for attacking a Mossley supporter in an outrageous outburst reducing his team to 10 men. Mossley opened brightly with the recalled Bradley Wosahlo partnering Tony Carroll up front and it was the latter who opened the scoring on 15 minutes when his slightly scuffed shot from the edge of the box wrong footed the keeper. Mossley created several chances after this but were unable to add to the tally before the break. Playing up the notorious Crilly Park slope after the interval it could have been tricky, but the result was put beyond doubt five minutes into the half. Wosahlo made a surging run on the right and he appeared to have delayed his pass too long but when he did Josh Howard was on hand to tap home a simple goal. Following Gallagher's incident with a fan, Mossley added a third on 76 minutes. Rob Matthews hit a firm free kick to Tony Carroll some 22 yards out and the Mossley hitman struck his 21st goal of the season with a fine first time daisy-cutter of a half volley that gave home keeper Cummins no chance. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Neil Pointon (9) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (9) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Tony Coyne (7) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Matthew Cross (7) (for Headley) 14. Stephen Sheil (not used) 15. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Wosahlo) Yellow card: Trees MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: Another great result as Prescot lost again!! Mossley through to Final!! Newcastle Town 2 Mossley 1 (Mossley win 5-3 on aggregate) Worthington NWCL Trophy Semi Final 2nd leg Mossley won through to their first Worthington Trophy Final despite going down 2-1 in the second leg at Lyme Valley Stadium this afternoon. Newcastle had a mountain to climb following Mossley's 4-1 first leg win but were buoyed by a midweek win over League leaders Prescot. However, it was Mossley who dominated the first half but were thwarted by some solid defending and a clever off-side trap. Mossley had the ball in the net midway through the half but Tony Carroll's effort was ruled out for off-side. At the other end Rob Hackney's goal was rarely troubled with the back four in good form. After the interval Mossley continued to look the likeliest but it was the home side who broke through in the 60th minute. Mossley should have been awarded a free kick for a blatant foul on Hackney but the referee inexplicably awarded a corner and from that Dave Woodvine scrambled the ball home from close range to give Newcastle hope. Hopes were raised further ten minutes later when Woodvine crossed for top scorer Andy Bott to score and reduce the deficit to one goal. After being in total control throughout the two games Mossley suddenly looked vulnerable, but nerves and the tie were settled in the 78th minute. Russell Headley broke down the right and set substitute Ciaran Kilheeney in the clear. The youngster skipped around keeper Rob Cooper and coolly slotted home to the great relief of the Mossley players, management and fans alike. And so to the final against Clitheroe or Padiham at Gigg Lane on 7th May. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Matthew Cross (7) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Nick Welton (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Rob Matthews (8) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) (for Matthews) 14. Tony Coyne (8) (for Callaghan) 15. Stefan Lewis (not used) Yellow card: Kilheeney MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: After the Vase disappointment it's great to be in a Final!! Mossley bounce back!! Woodley Sports 0 Mossley 2 Mossley bounced back from the disappointment of Saturday's FA Vase defeat with a hard earned 2-0 victory at Woodley Sports tonight. The home side at no time made the job easy for Mossley and the Lilywhites were forced to battle to the end to gain maximum points with a much changed team. Missing from Saturday's starting line up were Rob Hackney, Mark Phillips, Matty Cross, Nick Welton and Ciaran Kilheeney. In came Paul Lythe, Steve Sheil (recently re-signed from Flixton), Neil Pointon, Tony Carroll and Stefan Lewis. Playing down the slope in the first half Mossley had the lions share of the play with Callaghan and Howard dominant in midfield, but clear chances were few. Lythe kept Mossley in tact with a couple of good saves to thwart the lively Mike Norton while Carroll, Headley and Lewis all had half chances before Mossley took the lead on 32 minutes. Headley and Pointon worked well on the left and Tony Carroll struck a fierce shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards. After the break with the slope to their advantage Woodley piled forward in search of an equaliser and Mossley found their passing game difficult to maintain although were still dangerous on the break. When skipper Paul Taylor limped off 15 minutes from time - the back five of Lythe, Heaton, Trees, Sheil and Pointon was very uinfamiliar but they all did very well to keep Woodley at bay. As news came through of Prescot's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle - Mossley made the game safe when substitute Kilheeney freed Josh Howard and he confidently rounded the keeper before slotting home from a tight angle. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Neil Pointon (8) 4.Steve Sheil (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Stefan Lewis (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Simon Heaton (8) (for Taylor) 14. Nick Welton (8) (for Matthews) 15. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) (for Lewis) Yellow card:Howard MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Good win with an unfamiliar side! Mossley out of Vase!! Mossley 0 AFC Sudbury 2 FA Carlsberg Vase Quarter Final A well below par first half performance inevitably cost Mossley dearly in this north west v south east FA Vase quarter final clash at Seel Park this afternoon. Too many of the home side were off the pace in the first half as Sudbury took the game to their hosts and went in at half time with a two goal advantage. The opening stages were evenly contested with both sides feeling each other out, but the visitors took the lead totally unexpectedly after 12 minutes. Andrew Claydon took advantage of hesitancy between Paul Taylor and Rob Hackney to lob goalwards, an unbelievable acrobatic clearance off the line by Mark Phillips prevented his effort but the ball fell kindly for Gary Bennett to score from 18 yards with Mossley’s defence all at sea. Mossley were having difficulty coping with the giant Claydon and the elusive Bennett while Nick Welton and Ciaran Kilheeney appeared isolated up front for Mossley. Mossley had a good appeal for a penalty waved away when Bishop handled Headley’s cross from the left. The home side were very much on the back foot when Sudbury scored a second two minutes before the break. Rayner crossed from the right and Bennett headed home his second. Ally Pickering’s half time pep talk undoubtedly lifted Mossley after the break and it was all Mossley throughout the half. Sudbury’s packed defence held the Lilywhites at bay somehow as cross after cross flew into the Sudbury area while the probing of Rob Matthews on the right caused constant consternation for the over-worked visitors defence. There was always a Sudbury block to prevent Mossley finding a way back into the game and when they did get through they found veteran keeper Dean Greygoose in splendid form. Another strong Mossley penalty appeal was waved away while at the other end Sudbury were reliant on breakaways and Rayner and substitute Banya wasted several good advantages when breaking clear sometimes 4 on 2 as Mossley, now committed totally to attack, pushed forward relentlessly. All of Mossley’s efforts were inevitably thwarted though and it was the 250 or so south easterners in a crowd of over a thousand who returned home jubilant. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (6) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Matthew Cross (6) 4.Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (6) 6. Josh Howard (7) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (7) 9. Nick Welton (8) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (7) 11. Russell Headley (6) Subs 12. Neil Pointon (not used) 14. Simon Heaton (7) (for Cross) 15. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Trees) 16. Tony Coyne (not used) 17. Tony Carroll (7) (for Kilheeney). Yellow cards: Phillips, Matthews, Howard MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: Great recovery from a horrendous first half but inevitable disappointment!! Fluid Mossley rock 'castle!! Mossley 4 Newcastle Town 1 Worthington NWCL Trophy Semi Final 1st leg Mossley will take a comanding lead into this Worthington Trtophy Semi Final 2nd leg in a fortnight's time after giving a fine performance against a side that is unbeaten in the League since the end of September. Newcastle were out-thought, out-manouvred and thoroughly outclassed by a fluid Mossley side unhindered by the loss through injury and illness of Ciaran Kilheeney and Rob Trees. Mossley got off to the perfect start taking the lead in only the 4th minute. Russ Headley won a corner on the left and his flag-kick was powerfully headed home by a stooping Mark Phillips.Three minutes later the lead was doubled. Rob Matthews, who back to his best, roasted highly rated left back Dean Stokes and crossed low from the right for Nick Welton to crash home from 15 yards. Mossley looked dangerous with every attack and this continued throughout the game with the outstanding Josh Howard and Anthony Callaghan bossing midfield. Newcastle appeared to gain a foothold two minutes before the break when free kick specialist Paul Kiely curled a Beckham'esque strike into the top corner frrom just outside the area but Nerwcastle hopes were short lived as Tony Carroll opened the two goal lead up again on the stroke of half time when he finished superbly from 18 yards after Welton had brilliantly robbed Beeston and set him up on the left. After the break Mossley played flowing pass and move football that Newcastle had little answer to and a string of chances went begging as Welton twice went close and Carroll also had a couple of decent chances. The game and possibly the tie were settled seven minutes from time as Matthews again led Stokes a merry dance before being brought down for a penalty that saw the former Port Vale star booked for his trouble and Tony Carroll comfortably slot home the spot-kick. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Tony Coyne (8) 3. Matthew Cross (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (10) 7. Russell Headley (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Nick Welton (8) 11. Rob Matthews (9) Subs: 12. Ricky Harris (7) (for Callaghan) 14. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Welton) 15. Simon Heaton (7) (for Matthews) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Josh Howard VERDICT: This Mossley team just gets better and better - watch out Sudbury!! Mossley held at Fleetwood!! Fleetwood Town 1 Mossley 1 It was always going to be a tricky game at Fleetwood and so it proved. The big home side bouyed by recent good results were fired up and physical on a sodden pitch and were determined to make life difficult for an in form Mossley. The 'claret & blues' were hit before the game with the withdrawal through illness of Anthony Callaghan and the absence of Rob Hackney who was held up on the M6 after an accident. Fortunately reserve keeper Paul Lythe was in attendance to take Rob's place between the sticks while new signing Neil Pointon came in at left back to make his debut. Fleetwood made the early running but poor finishing let them down badly and Mossley went close through Welton, Coyne and Phillips. Mossley set about the home side after the break and took a 48th minute lead. Man of the match Russell Headley robbed his marker and whipped in a great cross that Rob Matthews chested down to volley home from 10 yards. Ciaran Kilheeney then played a superb 1-2 with Matthews only to see his effort come back off the inside of the post. Headley was awesome on the left leading his marker a merry dance throughout the half and it was disappointing that a series of superb crosses were not met by a Mossley head. It looked like one goal would be good enough though, as Fleetwood were totally unable to assert themselves and it took an unfortunate error to gift Fleetwood their equaliser ten minutes from time. Mark Phillips and keeper Lythe went for the same ball and finished in a heap leaving substitute Stuart Holloway a simple tap into an open goal. Kilheeney and Matthews both had chances to put the visitors back in front as Mossley pressed hard for a winner but had Lythe to thank for a good save to deny the monstrous Vickers in the last minute and Mossley were forced to settle for a point. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (7) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Neil Pointon (8) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Russell Headley (9) 8. Tony Coyne (8) 9. Nick Welton (7) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (7) 11. Rob Matthews (7) Subs: 12. Tony Carroll (7) (for Welton) 14. Simon Heaton (not used) 15. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Trees) Yellow cards: Coyne MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Russell Headley VERDICT: Just very disappointed, it felt like a defeat!! The Magnificent Ten!! Mossley 2 Prescot Cables 1 FA Carlsberg Vase 5th Round Ten man Mossley overcame the odds this afternoon to knock NWCL leaders Prescot Cables out of the FA Carlsberg Vase and march proudly into the quarter finals in front of the biggest Seel Park attendance since New Years Day 1991. Prescot were quick out of the blocks and attempted to assert themselves straight from the kick off but it was Mossley who took the early lead. Matthews and Welton worked the ball to the far post and Tony Coyne crashed a great shot into the top corner from a difficult angle ten yards out. Prescot came close when Torpey hit the post and before the half was over Prescot had rattled the woodwork again through Todd, but the Lilywhites rode their luck despite being forced to play on the break and constantly looked dangerous going forward with Headley whipping in some excellent crosses and Mossley's front two of Welton and Kilheeney causing all kinds of problems for the visitors defence. The game was littered with bookings as the referee struggled to keep control in a a highly emotive match and Callaghan, Coyne and Kilheeney (Mossley) and Taylor, Holmes and Williamson (Prescot) were all cautioned before the break. Prescot again tried to force the issue after the break but Mossley keeper Rob Hackney (who was presented with the NWCL Safe Hands award before the game) made a couple of fine saves to keep the lively Cables at bay. Nick Welton was very unfortunate not to double Mossley's lead with a superb shot on the turn from the edge of the box that Dahl somehow palmed away and Rob Matthews hit the side netting from the rebound when he looked likelier to score. Prescot forced an equaliser on 74 minutes when substitute Tommy Baker netted from close range after Hackney could only parry Torpey's effort and the pendulum looked to have swung Prescot's way five minutes later when Anthony Callaghan was red carded for a second bookable offence and Mossley were reduced to ten men. Mossley's FA Vase run has proved that the Lilywhites don't give in easily though and it was the magnificent ten men who won the day five minutes from time. Matthews won a corner on the left and his flag kick was flicked on by the outstanding Mark Phillips for Ciaran Kilheeney to chest down and volley home from close range to send the Mossley supporters into ecstasy and Mossley into the quarter finals! Breathtaking stuff! Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Josh Howard (8) 4. Mark Phillips (10) 5. Paul Taylor (9) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Nick Welton (8) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Eamonn Kelly (not used) 14. Simon Heaton (8) (for Welton) 15. Stefan Lewis (not used) 16. Paul Lythe (not used) 17. Tony Carroll (for Kilheeney) Yellow cards: Callaghan, Coyne, Kilheeney Red card: Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: A thoroughly breathtaking match, amazing stuff!! Mossley coast home!! Squires Gate 1 Mossley 3 Mossley's first ever visit to Squires Gate on the Fylde Coast was a fruitful one as the 'claret & blues' extended their unbeaten run to 14 games with a comfortable 3-1 win. Gate were all huff and puff with some extremely tough tackling in an attempt to ruffle Mossley's feathers. But those feathers were preened in only the 3rd minute. Mark Bradshaw floated a free kick from deep on the right and Ciaran Kilheeney climbed highest to head home from eight yards. Mossley were confidently in charge but Rob Hackney was called to make a smart save to deny Ryan in Gate's most dangerous move. Mossley doubled the lead on 19 minutes with a superb goal thanks to the new striking double act of Kilheeney and Nick Welton. The two big front men played a series of one-two's with both head and feet to bemuse the home defence before Kilheeney rattled home his second of the afternoon. The match was effectively over as a contest in the 36th minute when Nick Welton fired home Mossley's third from 18 yards after good work by Headley, Matthews and Howard. After the break the home side attempted to impose themselves on a Mossley defence that had switched to a back three with left back Mark Bradshaw being replaced by midfielder Ricky Harris. Mossley had taken their foot off the gas when Paul Paynter volleyed Squires Gate back into the game on 62 minutes, but it was Mossley who created the better chances thereafter. Russell Headley saw his powerful low free kick well saved by Baldwin and Mark Phillips thundered a header against the bar as the visitors unsuccessfully attempted to stretch the lead. One interesting talking point was the poor performance of the referee who failed to protect Mossley from some ferocious tackling while booking Rob Matthews and Nick Welton when it was they who had clearly been fouled. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Nick Welton (8) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Tony Carroll (7) (for Kilheeney) 14. Stefan Lewis (not used) 15. Ricky Harris (7) (for Bradshaw) Yellow cards: Matthews, Welton MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Ciaran Kilheeney VERDICT: Another assured performance without stepping into top gear!! Curzon hit for six!! Mossley 6 Curzon Ashton 0 Mossley hit neighbours Curzon Ashton for six this afternoon and but for some great saves by former Rob Hackney understudy Wayne Backhouse hit could have been double figures. Mossley got off to a flyer in the 3rd minute when debutant Nick Welton flicked on Russell Headley's left wing cross for Rob Matthews to fire home at the far post. It took Mossley a further fifteen minutes to add a second but they then scored two in a minute. Firstly, Matthews broke on the right, casually danced round his marker and crossed low for Nick Welton to hammer into the bottom corner on the half volley from 20 yards. In Mossley's next attack moments later Welton flicked on Mark Bradshaw's right wing corner leaving Ricky Harris to tap into an empty net. A fourth followed on 32 minutes when Paul Taylor cheekily back-heeled home from close range after Matthews had crossed low to the near post from the right. Mossley were then awarded a penalty when Birch upended Russell Headley but Bradshaw stroked his spot kick disappointingly wide of the right hand post. Curzon tried to salvage some pride after the break as Mossley settled for keeping the visitors at bay but were still very dangerous on attack. Mossley added a fifth on 56 minutes when Headley made a great crossfield run and pass to release Rob Matthews on the right, and the former Nationwide League star fired across Backhouse into the far corner from fifteen yards. Backhouse was then forced into excellent saves to deny Welton and Ciaran Kilheeney before Mossley completed the scoring five minutes from time. Substitute Stefan Lewis used his pace and power to out-stride the beleaguered Curzon defence and score off the foot of the post past the advancing keeper. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (9) 7. Rob Matthews (9) 8. Ricky Harris (7) 9. Nick Welton (8) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Tony Carroll (7) (for Welton) 14. Eamonn Kelly (7) (for Harris) 15. Stefan Lewis (8) (for Kilheeney) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Josh Howard VERDICT: Pure class on a heavy surface!! Mossley storm into semis!! Salford City 2 Mossley 4 Worthington NWCL Trophy 4th Round Mossley simply brushed aside the challenge of Salford City at Moor Lane tonight to earn a semi final place against Newcastle Town next month. The result would have been more emphatic had it not been for the home side scoring two late consolation goals as Mossley took their foot off the gas after completely dominating the game from the off. It took Mossley only 11 minutes to ease in front. Salford's former Mossley player Paul Robertson and defender Switzer got themselves in a muddle and Rob Matthews read the matter perfectly to confidently fire Mossley into the lead. Salford keeper McVey was the luckiest man on the field when he handled Ciaran Kilheeney's goalbound effort outside the box but the referee inexplicably only offered a yellow card before the second goal finally came on 33 minutes. Tony Carroll powered a diving header home from Mark Bradshaw's superb deep left wing cross. Mossley added a third before the break when Mark Phillips crashed home Bradshaw's right wing corner. In the 58th minute Mossley killed off Salford's dispirited challenge when Ciaran Kilheeney headed home Bradshaw's right wing corner from close range. Kilheeney and Carroll both had chances to add to the lead but in the closing stages Mossley took their foot off the peddle and Salford scored twice in the closing minutes through Mattie Hughes and Francis Vaughan but the Ammies were very well beaten by then! Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Simon Heaton (8) 7. Josh Howard (8) 8. Russell Headley (8) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (9) 11. Rob Matthews (8) Subs: 12. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Heaton) 14. Ricky Harris (not used) 15. Eamonn Kelly (7) (for Matthews) Yellow cards: Headley MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Ciaran Kilheeney VERDICT: Mossley were simply too good for Salford!! Josh is simply supersub!! Lymington & New Milton 2 Mossley 3 FA Carlsberg Vase 4th Round Mossley's long weekend on the south coast was inevitably successful today as the Lilywhites powered their way through to the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase thanks to a last minute winner from super sub Josh Howard. Both sides had opened the game cautiously with Mossley having first advantage of a deceptively strong wind. Mossley looked dangerous each time they attacked whilst the home side's use of the high ball was easily dealt with by the Mossley defence. Matthews, Heaton and Carroll had all gone close for Mossley before the visitors opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a super strike from Russell Headley. The tricky winger cut inside his marker and hit a stunning right foot drive into the bottom corner from fully 25 yards. Mossley were seemingly in complete control two minutes later whenm Simon Heaton crossed from the right and Rob Matthews scored at the second attempt from close range after the Lymington keeper couldn't hold his initial effort. It might have been three moments later but Matthews precision curler came back off the right hand post. The second half saw Lymington attempt to claw their way back into the game with a series of deep crosses to dangerous target man Leigh Phillips and it was he who reduced the arrears in the 72nd minute when heading home a cross from deep on the right. Mossley then had a claim for a goal waved away when Matthews scored but the keeper clawing the ball away from wqell behind the line blocked the linesman's view and Lymington survived to rock Mossley three minutes from time when Phillips headed home straight from a corner to put the home side level despite Mossley's overall domination. Justice was done with extra time looming and the game in stoppage time. The outstanding Rob Matthews, not for the first time, ran the home defence ragged on the left and crossed low to the far post, substitute Josh Howard was laying in wait, the former Manchester United youngster took a touch before calmly wrong footing the keeper and knocking the ball into an empty net to amazing scenes of jubilition the like of which haven't been seen by Mossley fans for several seasons, especailly when the final whistle sounded moments later and great celebrations were enjoyed by the ever singing Mossley faithful and their footballing heroes alike. Truly a day to remember! Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Simon Heaton (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Rob Matthews (10) 11. Russell Headley (9) Subs: 12. Josh Howard (8) (for Heaton) 14. Eamonn Kelly (not used) 15. Stefan Lewis (not used) 16. Paul Lythe (not used) 17. Ricky Harris (7) (for Carroll) Yellow cards: Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Rob Matthews VERDICT: What a day, I'm breathless!! Mossley held at Salford!! Salford City 1 Mossley 1 Mossley had to settle for a point at fellow promotion hopefuls Salford City this afternoon after looking like taking three points for most of the game. It was a great start by Mossley has they hit the woodwork with their first attack. A flowing move down the right ended with Tony Carroll crashing the ball against the cross-bar. Mossley dictated the pace of the half and on several occasions had the Salford defence all at sea with Carroll and yougster Ciaran Kilheeney at the centre of every attack and Russell Headley and Rob Matthews causing havoc on the flanks. The lively Kilheeney had already hit the post before he headed Mossley into a 21st minute lead when he looped one over the advancing keeper after Carroll's flick had set him clear. Mossley pressed forward throughout the half but were unable to create a second goal. At the other end a solid Mossley defence had kept former Mossley man Chris Willcock and the dangerous Mattie Hughes at bay. The second half saw Salford force the issue but again the Mossley defence looked unruffled. The Salford keeper saved well from Kilheeney in what was becoming a rare foray forward. Mossley looked to have weathered the storm when with ten minutes remaining a long ball into the box was only partially cleared and Francis Vaughan was able to pounce to equalise from 8 yards with three Mossley defenders on the line. Chaos came with moments remaining as Kilheeney clashed with the Salford keeper following a Mossley corner and a second cross saw Tony Ellis and Kilheeney fail to connect as the ball spun on the line and Salford were able to clear and take a point that had seemed unlikely. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Tony Coyne (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (7) 7. Rob Matthews (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Tony Ellis (8) (for Carroll) 14. Eamonn Kelly (not used) 15. Matthew Cross (7) (for Howard) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: Could have won, perhaps should have won!! Mossley crush the Hillmen!! Mossley 5 Glossop North End 0 Mossley scored five without reply for the second successive game against neighbours Glossop in today's local 'derby' at a rain soaked Seel Park. The game was effectively over as a contest as early as the eighth minute when Mossley scored their second goal and the Lilywhites coasted through the remainder of a one sided romp without hardly breaking sweat. Mossley took the lead in the 5th minute when Rob Matthews made a great run on the right and crossed low for Tony Carroll to slot home easily from eight yards. Three minutes alter the lead was doubled as the impressive Ciaran Kilheeney looped a header over a stranded Glossop keeper from Josh Howard's through ball. Mossley completely dominated but the pitch made difficult by heavy morning rain, as well as some finicky refereeing slowed proceedings down. The Lilywhites added a third seven minutes before the break when Anthony Callaghan played Kilheeney in and the former Manchester City youngster controlled well before slotting home from the edge of the box. Glossop came out for the second half in more determined mood but were unable to make any impression at all on the Mossley defence and it was only a matter of time before Mossley would increase the lead further. Kilheeney missed a good chance to complete a hat-trick and debutant substitute Eamonn Kelly fired over with practically his first kick of the game before Tony Carroll bagged his second of the afternoon when he fired home left footed after Mark Phillip's through ball had caught the visitors defence napping. Carroll completed his hat-trick in the last minute when he finished from close range after the keeper had blocked his first effort. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Tony Coyne (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (9) 10. Ciaran Kilheeney (9) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Stefan Lewis (not used) 14. Eamonn Kelly (7) (for Matthews) 15. Matthew Cross (7) (for Headley) Yellow cards: Cross MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Ciaran Kilheeney VERDICT: Total dominance without breaking sweat!! Almost too easy!! Winsford United 0 Mossley 5 Mossley completely outclassed Winsford United at the Barton Stadium this afternoon. At times it awas almost too easy as Mossley cut through the home defence almost at will and the only saving grace for Winsford is that Mossley didn't inflict much greater harm on their already brittle confidence.Chances came with practically every attack as Mossley found their flowing style quickly on a bumpy surface in freezing cold conditions. It took half an hour to break the deadlock but the writing was on the wall much earlier when a horendous blunder by an assistant referee left Rob Matthews victim of an off-side decision despite the fact he had run fully 35 yards with the ball and taken on practically the whole Winsford defence. Tony Carroll and Matthews combined well on the right and the latter crossed for Tony Ellis to tap home from six yards. Three minutes later Ellis was on the mark again. Matthews set up Anthony Callaghan but when his shot was acrobatically saved by Robertson, Ellis saw his controlled volley fly in from 15 yards from the rebound. Mossley made the game safe three minutes before the break when Mark Bradshaw let fly from 25 yards. The fourth goal came in the 66th minute when sub Josh Howard freed Russsell Headley and he beat the last defender before calmly slotting home. Scoring was completed two minutes later. Headley crossed from the left, Mark Phillips headed goalwards and Stefan Lewis got the final touch from eight yards. More worrying for Mossley were injuries to Rob Trees and Tony Ellis who both limped out of the action in the second half. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (9) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Tony Ellis (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Josh Howard (8) (for Trees) 14. Stefan Lewis (8) (for Ellis) 15. Matthew Cross (8) (for Matthews) Yellow cards: Cross MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Tony Coyne VERDICT: Mossley were just far far too good for Winsford, Happy Christmas!! Ten man Mossley ease through!! Mossley 4 Nantwich Town 3 (after extra time) Worthington NWCL Trophy 3rd Round Mossley eased through this League Cup tie against much improved Nantwich Town but it took extra time to seperate the sides in a game that that ebbed and flowed in spectacular fashion throughout. Mossley took a while to settle into their fluid pattern but went on to dominate the first half finally taking a deserved lead in the 24th minute. Good work by Russell Haedley on the right saw Rob Matthews turn his marker on the edge of the box to score in the bottom corner after earlier missing two good chances. Nantwich came back strongly after the break and equalised on 55 minutes through the dangerous Wes Wilkinson. Mossley eased in front again on 70 minutes. Tony Ellis played a neat one-two with substitute Stefan Lewis and finished neatly from 10 yards. Mossley looked to have done enough but five minutes from time the otherwise impeccable Paul Taylor turned Wilkinson's right wing cross into his own net and forced the game into extra time. Tony Ellis received a double yellow card before the game resumed after the equaliser apparently for dissent. Mossley made a flying start to the extra half hour taking an early two goal lead. Rob Matthews headed home Mark Bradshaw's right wing corner and then Anthony Callaghan freed Stefan Lewis whose pace took him past the last defender and he calmly slotted hjome past the advancing keeper. Three minutes later Nantwich reduced the arrears when Simon Hackney scored a well taken goal. The game was by now very stretched with the poor weather sapping players energy and Rob Hackney saved the game from going to an unwanted replay when he spectacularly saved Mark Gardner's curling free kick with just five minutes remaining. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Russell Headley (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Rob Matthews (8) 10. Tony Ellis (7) 11. Matthew Cross (8) Subs: 12. Josh Howard (7) (for Cross) 14. Simon Heaton (7) (for Coyne) 15. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Headley) Yellow cards: Coyne, Callaghan, Howard Red card: Ellis MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Excellent never say die attitude, despite being down to ten men!! TC seals Vase victory!! Guisborough Town 0 Mossley 1 FA Carlsberg Vase 3rd Round Mossley won through to the last 32 of the FA Vase with this hard fought mudbath of a match at Guisborough this afternoon. Mossley were in control throughout the game despite the poor state of the pitch, a big physical home side and some highly inconsistent refereeing. Mossley played some great football until the pitch deteriorated in the second half when the game become something of a slog. Mossley typically created and missed a hat-full of first half chances with Mark Bradshaw hitting the bar and a Tony Ellis volley that cleared the bar by an inch being the most spectacular while Ellis, Rob Matthews and Tony Carroll all missed scorable opportunities. The main half time talking points involved the referee's shocking performance though as he missed most of the incidents and gave a string of mystifying decisions whilst at no time actually being up with play. Mossley deservedly felt hard done by as most decisions seemed to go the home side's way despite several blatant use of arms by the rough and tough north-easterners. The game was settled in the 68th minute after Mossley had survived a scare in the first minute of the half when Kasonali hit the foot of the post. Mark Bradshaw floated a free kick from deep into the danger area, Paul Taylor sliced an attempted volley to the left of the six yard box where waited was Tony Carroll to loop a header beyond the despairing reach of home keeper Corbett. Mossley nearly paid a price two minutes later though when giant striker Outhwaite dropped under Taylor's challenge and the referee awarded a penalty. Rob Hackney easily saved Mowbray's weak spot kick and Mossley were still in charge. Thereafter it was a case of soaking up Guisborough's attempted pressure play whilst still creating further chances on the break. The most nervous moment coming in the dying seconds when a corner ended up in the net but Outhwaite had climbed all over Hackney to get it there and the referee had no choice but to disallow the goal and send Mossley deservedly through to the last 32. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (9) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Tony Ellis (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Paul Lythe (not used) 14. Matthew Cross (not used) 15. Josh Howard (not used) 16. Damien Wilkinson (not used) 17. Simon Heaton (not used) Yellow card: Callaghan, Coyne MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Robert Trees VERDICT: Well deserved Mossley march on to last 32!! Mossley mudlarks shine!! Mossley 2 St Helens Town 0 Mossley made light of a heavy surface in today's hastily re-arranged home game against St Helens Town to take maximum points with a fine high tempo performance. Prompted by the outstanding Anthony Callaghan Mossley created chance after chance against traditionally difficult opposition and fully deserved a victory that Town keeper Phil Wood threatened to thwart with an outstanding display. The game opened at a high tempo that never diminished with early chances coming at both ends. Rob Hackney saved well from Bowden and Tony Ellis fired narrowly over the bar after fashioning an opening for himself. Headley and Matthews were causing the visitors problems on the flanks but Wood was equal to everything Mossley could throw at him. St Helens were dealt a blow on the half hour when volatile striker Lee Cooper was sent off for a second bookable offence after going over the top on Tony Coyne. Thereafter Mossley's threatened domination became complete and the second half was a battle of wits as the visitors looked intent on taking a point and Mossley pressure built and built throughout the period. Chance after chance went begging with Wood making a string of fine saves to deny Carroll, Matthews and Ellis. The deadlock was finally broken eight minutes from time. A surging run by Rob Matthews opened up the St.Helens defence and when Wood could only parry his effort Russell Headley picked the ball up on the edge of the box, danced around two defenders, dummied and calmly lifted the ball into the roof of the net with defence and keeper all on the floor. It was a relief to all as it had started to look like Town may get their unlikely point. Two minutes later victory was assured when substitute Simon Heaton crossed from the right and Tony Ellis was well positioned to score a simple goal at the far post. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (10) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Tony Ellis (8) 11. Russell Headley (9) Subs: 12. Josh Howard (8) (for Coyne) 14. Stefan Lewis (not used) 15. Simon Heaton (6) (for Bradshaw) Yellow card: Phillips MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Fine display again, bring on the Guisborough!! Mossley thrash LR but Sean breaks leg!! Mossley 7 Atherton LR 2 Mossley tore Atherton LR apart at Seel Park this afternoon with a high quality performance that could easily have provided far more than just seven goals in an all but one sided match. Mossley attacked from the start and it was only a matter of time before the first goal went in and it came after several close calls in the 14th minute. Mark Bradshaw retrieved the ball after a right corner had been half cleaered and crossed for Paul Taylor to steer home with a powerful header. Two minutes later Mossley keeper Rob Hackney was left with egg on his chin as he let a weak Green effort trickle through his legs for a soft and totally unexpected equaliser. Atherton keeper Cummins became the centre of controversy when he brought Russell Headley down outside the box and a red card looked inevitable. However, his yellow card punishment was later to be seriously regretted as five minutes before the break Sean Pickering broke cleer and the keeper recklessly clattered into him, leaving Pickering facing an urgent trip to hospital with what looked like a broken leg. Cummins was finally red carded and after a five minute delay during which time Pickering was stretchered off and LR striker Barry Massey took over in goal only to see the ball fly past him from Tony Carroll's powerful spot kick. A minute before the break Mossley went 3-1 up when Rob Matthews mazy dribble on the left ended with Russell Headley firing home a powerful shot from 20 yards. Mossley took the field for the second half with an even more attack minded line up employing just three at the back with Josh Howard replacing Robert Trees and it was more one way traffic as Mossley mounted attack after a attack and LR's defending became more and more desperate. Mossley went 4-1 up in the 51st minute when Howard broke down the left and his cross cum shot was hammered home at the far post by Tony Carroll. Mossley then brought on former Nationwide League star Tony Ellis for Callaghan before making it 5-1 five minutes later. Headley worked the left wing well and when the ball reached substitute Ciaran Kilheeney, the Manchester City youngster hammered a great shot past Massey from 20 yards. More Mossley pressure followed but LR reduced the arrears with a fine solo run and finish by Strange. Paul Taylor headed home at the near post from Matthews right wing corner on 77 minutes and Tony Carroll rounded things off by completing his hat-trick when he rifled home another penalty kick awarded after he himself had been fouled. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (5) 2. Robert Trees (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Rob Matthews (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (7) 9. Tony Carroll (9) 10. Sean Pickering (7) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Tony Ellis (7) (for Callaghan) 14. Ciaran Kilheeney (8) (for Pickering) 15. Josh Howard (8) (for Trees) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Tony Carroll VERDICT: Another excellent team display, marred only by Sean Pickering's unfortunate injury!! Matthews at the double!! Abbey Hey 0 Mossley 3 Mossley continued their recent fine form with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Abbey Hey on Saturday afternoon. The Lilywhites were keen to rid the visiting supporters of the memories of their 1-0 Manchester Premier Cup defeat there a few weeks ago. Mossley started well with some excellent passing movements but didn’t seem quite able to unlock the Abbey Hey defence. The attack which contained leading scorer Tony Carroll returning from injury was posing many questions but the ball didn’t seem to be falling for them. Mark Phillips was unlucky not to add to his tally for this season, when he set off on a mazing run and unleashed a well hit drive from the edge of the area, which beat Higginbotham in the Abbey Hey goal, but the ball struck the post and the keeper fell on the rebound. The relentless pressure continued and in the 21st.minute, a driven cross from Tony Carroll was met at the far post by Rob Matthews who slotted home to give Mossley a totally deserved lead. Anthony Callaghan, who was once again adding some steel to the midfield was unlucky not to double the lead as he shot wide from the edge of the area. Just on the stroke of half-time, Mossley doubled their lead when a neat backheel by Sean Pickering was met by Matthews, who turned neatly and drove home. The second half seemed to drop a little in pace, but Mossley seemed to have the game well under control. Rob Matthews had the chance to complete his second hat-trick for Mossley, but he missed a free header. The returning Tony Carroll was unlucky not to add to his total for the season with a firm header, which was superbly tipped over by Higginbotham. The game was virtually secured in the 74th.minute when a Tony Carroll cross was met by Tony Coyne, with a well timed run from midfield. Straight after this goal, Cairan Kilheeney who came on for his first appearance in a Mossley shirt replaced Carroll. This was a solid performance by Mossley who totally deserved the points. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Rob Trees (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (6) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Rob Matthews (9) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Sean Pickering (8) 11. Russell Headley (7) Subs: 12. Cairan Kilheeney (7) (for Carroll) 14. Paul O’Grady (7) (for Pickering) 15. Simon Heaton (not used) Yellow cards: Coyne, Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan Verdict: Another solid performance! Phillips on the Mark!! Salford City 1 Mossley 2 FA Carlsberg Vase 2nd Round Mossley deservedly won through to the 3rd round of the FA Vase with a fine 2-1 win at rivals Salford this afternoon. Mossley completely dominated the opening half and created numerous chances, the best falling to Rob Matthews who was denied by a great save by Melville at the near post after the ex Football League player's turn and shot from a tight angle had foxed the Salford defence. The livewire Russ Headley miscued with the goal at his mercy and Anthony Callaghan pulled his shot wide after a superb passing movement had again opened up the Salford defence. After the break Salford tightened up and looked an altogether different proposition but it was Mossley who took the lead in the 57th minute. Mark Phillips played a through ball for Rob Matthews who strode forward, fended off a clumsy challenge just inside the box and beat Melville at his near post with a superb strike for his sixth goal in just three appearances. Salford's Karl Marginson was then dismissed following an elbowing incident on Callaghan before Salford equalized out of the blue in the 66th minute. Ex Mossley player Harvey Cunningham played a delightful through ball for Rhodri Giggs to lob over the advancing Hackney to restore parity. Mossley pushed forward again and when Matthews won a corner on the right, Mark Bradshaw's pin point cross was headed home brilliantly by Mark Phillips. Salford tried to claw their way back but the Mossley defence was solid and the home side could find no way through! Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Simon Heaton (5) 7. Tony Coyne (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Rob Matthews (9) 10. Sean Pickering (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Paul O'Grady (7) (for Blackshaw) 14. Lee Blackshaw (3) (for Heaton) 15. Tony Gaffey (not used) 16. Paul Lythe (not used) 17. Stefan Lewis (not used) Yellow card: Taylor MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Excellent cup tie, great victory!! Mossley hit five again!! Stone Dominoes 0 Mossley 5 Worthington NWCFL Trophy 2nd Round Mossley booked a comfortable passage to the 3rd round of the Worthington Trophy with a five goal mauling of Stone Dominoes in wet and windy Staffordshire on Saturday. Mossley's passing game was fluent in a one sided first half which saw Mossley take a four goal interval lead. The visitors took the lead after 13 minutes when Mark Bradshaw's pin-point cross from the left saw Sean Pickering glance home a fine header and five minutes later Pickering added his second when he swivelled to finish after good work by Russell Headley. Pickering was then denied a hat-trick by a great save from the home keeper before Mossley increased the lead on 37 minutes. Tony Coyne set up Rob Matthews who turned to wrong foot his marker before firing home from 15 yards. On the stroke of half time Mossley made it four when Bradshaw's right wing corner kick was headed home by Mark Phillips. Mossley relaxed after the break allowing the home side more into the game but when called upon captain for the day Rob Hackney made a couple of flying saves. The scoring was rounded off in the 71st minute with the goal of the match. Tony Gaffey's free kick from just inside the Stone half was superbly volleyed home on the turn by Rob Matthews from 20 yards. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (8) 7. Simon Heaton (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Rob Matthews (9) 10. Sean Pickering (9) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Paul O'Grady (for Pickering) (7) 14. Stefan Lewis (for Heaton) (7) 15. Tony Gaffey (for Coyne) (7) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Pass and move, pass and move, good work!! Makeshift Mossley Mugged!! Abbey Hey 1 Mossley 0 Manchester Premier Cup 1st Round With a makeshift team due to injuries and ineligibility's Mossley gave a good footballing performance at Abbey Hey last night but were inevitably denied by a sparkling goalkeeping display from Abbey youngster Liam Higginbottom. The Lilywhites were quickly into gear and looked threatening throughout the first half but Higginbottom was equal to everything Mossley could throw at them while Rob Hackney was a virtual spectator at the other end. Higginbottom made a number of spectacular saves. The second half saw Mossley apply even more pressure but again Higginbottom looked unbeatable as he turned Heaton's spectacular effort over the bar and denied Sean Pickering on several occasions. Debutant substitute Paul O'Grady looked a useful signing as he twisted and turned the Abbey defence before curling a great shot inches wide and was involved in everything after his his 60th minute arrival. Abbey had not threatened at all throughout the game but won their one and only corner of the match on 77 minutes and when the ball was only partially cleared giant centre half Amirson volleyed home spectacularly from the edge of the box. Mossley piled on the pressure thereafter but were unable to break down a resolute Abbey defence and the home side survived the assault to take their place in the quarter finals. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (6) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Tony Gaffey (7) 8. Simon Heaton (8) 9. Stefan Lewis (6) 10. Sean Pickering (8) 11. Russell Headley (8) Subs: 12. Paul Lythe (not used) 14. Rowan Hines (not used) 15. Paul O'Grady (8) (for Lewis) 16. Ally Pickering (not used) Yellow card: S.Pickering MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Robert Trees VERDICT: A good performance, very unlucky!! It's Bootiful for Matthews!! Flixton 0 Mossley 5 Rob Matthews signed from Northwich Victoria on Thursday night made a dream debut for Mossley this afternoon bagging a first half hat-trick against a Flixton side managed for the first time by ex Mossley player Gary Thomas who replaced Dalton Steele this week. Mossley were on top from the off and had several close shaves before taking a 16th minute lead. Russell Headley's corner kick from the right was headed home by Rob Matthews. Rob Hackney made a surprise early return from injury and excelled with a superb save from Comley-Exell. Sean Pickering missed a couple of good chances and Mark Phillips fired narrowly over before Mossley doubled the advantage on 32 minutes. Tony Coyne's shot was going wide when it was turned back into the middle by the head of Mark Phillips for Matthews to score from close range. Six minutes later Matthews completed his debut treble when Flixton keeper Osborne sliced a clearance and Matthews took a touch before firing into an empty net from 25 yards. Pickering had two early chances after the break to increase the lead but Mossley had to wait until the 69th minute to increase the lead. Mark Bradshaw strode confidently through the Flixton dfefence, Osborne blocked his first effort but Bradshaw was on hand to bundle home the rebound. The scoring was completed in the 80th minute when Headley broke down the left and when his overhit cross was volleyed back into the middle by Matthews, substitute Stefan Lewis was on hand to knock home from close range. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Simon Heaton (9) 7. Tony Coyne (7) 8. Russell Headley (9) 9. Rob Matthews (10) 10. Sean Pickering (7) 11. Lee Blackshaw (7) Subs: 12. Stefan Lewis (7) (for Blackshaw) 14. Paul Lythe (not used) 15. Rowan Hines (7) (for Pickering) Yellow card: Heaton MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Simon Heaton VERDICT: Much, much better!! Simply not good enough!! Mossley 2 Congleton Town 3 Mossley gave a totally inept performance against a big physical Congleton side who simply brushed aside Mossley's feeble challenge and left the Lilywhites off the pace in the NWCL title race. It all started brightly enough with Tony Coyne firing a powerful 'daisy cutter' inches wide and Ryan Hevicon being denied by visitors keeper Matt Towns from point blank range, but play became ragged and Mossley received a warning when Paul Taylor had to clear off the line after Scully had broken clear. The warning wasn't heeded and Congleton took the lead on 15 minutes through the powerful Dave Shaw, a giant cumbersome centre forward who somehow caused havoc all night. Congleton doubled their lead on 31 minutes with a low drive from Gary Bickerstaffe and Mossley were reeling. Sean Pickering restored hope on 52 minutes when he ran on to finish Taylor's route one through ball and for several minutes Congleton's defence were all at sea. The ineffective Hevicon was replaced by untried teenager Stefan Lewis and that was the end of Mossley as an attacking force. It was Congleton who restored the initiative when Shaw bagged his second on 66 minutes as the Mossley defence capitulated, not for the first time on this woeful evening! Faint hope came in the dying seconds when Mark Phillips headed home Bradshaw's right wing corner, but it was too little too late and the visitors deserved their success against a Mossley side who offered little as an attacking force and defended naively throughout! Mossley's woes were compounded when Simon Heaton was red carded following a brief scuffle with Congleton's Brian Hatton who was also dismissed. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (7) 2. Robert Trees (6) 3. Matthew Cross (7) 4. Mark Phillips (5) 5. Paul Taylor (5) 6. Josh Howard (5) 7. Russell Headley (7) 8. Tony Coyne (6) 9. Sean Pickering (6) 10. Ryan Hevicon (4) 11. Mark Bradshaw (7) subs: 12. Simon Heaton (5) (for Coyne) 14. Stefan Lewis (4) (for Hevicon) 15. Rowan Hines (not used) Red card: Heaton Yellow card: Coyne MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Russell Headley VERDICT: Absolutely atrocious!! Mossley Winning!! Esh Winning 0 Mossley 2 FA Vase 1st Round Mossley completely outclassed a big physical Esh Winning side in Co.Durham this afternoon to stroll through to the 2nd Round of the Vase. Esh were nothing more than a poor pub team and spent the game trying to bait the Mossley players who were indivually and collectively far superior. In fact how the home side kept 11 men on the field for the duration was more to do with the referee's leniency than anything. Several lunging follow through tackles threatened to ruin a first half that Mosslety totally dominated. That Mossley lead only 1-0 at the break was more down to poor finishing than anything Esh's cart horse defence had to offer. Tony Carroll still hampered by injury was the biggest culprit and he could have scored on five seperate occasions but failed to even hit the target. His strike partner Sean Pickering saved the blushes with a well taken goal five minutes before the break. Anthony Callaghan took a quick free kick after Headley had been hacked down, Tony Coyne wrong footed a static defence and Pickering chipped over the advancing keeper as he dived. Nigel Evans replaced Carroll at the break and he was unfortunately subjected to a tirade of racial abuse from Esh's huge aggressive number 4. Playing up the slope Mossley created less chances but Esh failed to trouble debutant keeper Paul Lythe and Mossley wrapped up the victory on 78 minutes. Callaghan and Mark Bradshaw had shots charged down but the ball broke to Sean Pickering who calmly rolled the ball home. Team: 1. Paul Lythe (7) 2. Robert Trees (8) 3. Matthew Cross (7) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Russell Headley (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (6) 10. Sean Pickering (8) 11. Mark Bradshaw (7) Subs: 12. Simon Heaton (not used) 14. Nigel Evans (6) (for Carroll) 15. Rown Hines (not used) 16. Rob Hackney (not used) 17. Josh Howard (7) (for Coyne) Yellow cards: Cross, Pickering MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Easy, but Esh were no more than a village pub team!! Hackney injury costs Mossley!! Warrington Town 4 Mossley 2 Mossley lost goalkeeper Rob Hackney with a hand injury just five minutes into this fixture at struggling Warrington Town and it was an incident that was to prove costly for the Lilywhites as his replacement, injured striker Tony Carroll, proved to be less than an inspired replacement and ultimately cost Mossley the points against a very poor and basic home side. Mossley had gotten off to a flyer when Simon Heaton's free kick from the left after a cynical foul on Hevicon saw Paul Taylor challenge for a header and the ball dropped for Mark Phillips to volley low into the bottom corner with barely a minute on the clock. However Hackney's injury came three minutes later when Tickell's speculative shot took a bad bounce and went over Rob Hackney. Unfortunately Hackney landed badly and was shortly after replaced by Tony Carroll. Mossley pressed forward though and managed to protect Carroll for a while. Mossley edged in front again on 16 minutes when a neat turn and pass from Nigel Evans saw Ryan Hevicon race through to slot the ball past O'Hanlon. Things started to go wrong for Mossley on the stroke of half time when Latham equalised with Carroll badly positioned. Warrington edged in front for the first time on 61 minutes through Heverin with an effort that any real goalkeeper would have saved easily and the same could be said of the fourth goal from Moores just four minutes later. Mossley continued to press forward for the remainder of the game and came close to scoring on a number of occasions. Hevicon hit a post and Evans did the same from the rebound and Paul Taylor hit the bar with a header. Several goalmouth scrambles followed but the ball stayed out of the Warrington net and the home side probably couldn't believe their luck that they had won the game. Team: 1. Rob Hackney 2. Matty Taylor (7) 3. Matthew Cross (6) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Josh Howard (6) 7. Simon Heaton (6) 8. Anthony Callaghan (6) 9. Nigel Evans (5) 10. Ryan Hevicon (8) 11. Mark Bradshaw (7) Subs: 12. Russell Headley (7) (for Heaton) 14. Rowan Hines (not used) 15. Tony Carroll (4) (for Hackney) Yellow cards: Hevicon, Paul Taylor, Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Hevicon VERDICT: Very poor show!! Lilywhites up to fourth!! Mossley 1 Woodley Sports 0 Mossley moved up to 4th place in the League with this hard earned win over neighbours Woodley Sports. It was a game that Mossley dominated for long spells but were unable to turn their domination into goals. With Tony Carroll struggling on despite injury and Nigel Evans in poor form it was left to midfielders Anthony Callaghan and Josh Howard to create the openings but it was Carroll who came closest to opening the scoring in the first half as he saw two thunderous volleys fly narrowly over the bar. Mossley finally took the lead their superiority deserved on 56 minutes. Howard charged forward threateningly from midfield and played a great ball through for Ryan Hevicon who fired home from 15 yards under the despairing dive of Woodley keeper Jones. Simon Heaton curled a great effort onto the bar which was Mossley's best chance to increase the lead. The last ten minutes saw Mossley under pressure with the solitary goal advantage and Rob Hackney twice came to Mossley's rescue with fantastic saves after being redundant for most of the match and Mossley hung on for the points that lift them above Fleetwood and into a strong challenging position near the top. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Matty Taylor (8) 3. Matthew Cross (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (9) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Simon Heaton (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Nigel Evans (6) 11. Ryan Hevicon (8) Subs: 12. Mark Bradshaw (7) (for Evans) 14. Russell Headley (7) (for Carroll) 15. Tony Carroll (not used) Yellow card: Paul Taylor MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor VERDICT: Mossley did just enough!! Mossley are comeback kings!! Mossley 3 Prescot Cables 2 Trailing 2-0 with just 16 minutes remaining at home to League leaders Prescot Cables in front of the biggest Seel Park crowd of the season things looked very bleak indeed for Mossley, but, an astonishing turnaround saw the Lilywhites overcome the deficit to take maximum points with the winning goal coming just two minutes from time. Mossley had opened this 'six point' fixture brightly but were unable to break down a stubborn visitors defence with the final ball into the box being of generally poor quality. Prescot looked dangerous on the break with plenty of pace in an attack minded midfield and the visitors took the lead on 23 minutes when the impressive Karl Baker danced through two tackles to slot the ball home. Mossley were denied a penalty for hand ball before Prescot doubled their advantage from the spot on the stroke of half time. Steve Torpey was brought down by Paul Taylor and Kevin Garforth sent Rob Hackney the wrong way from the spot. The second half began with Prescot attempting to press home their advantage and Rob Hackney made an incredible save from Torpey. Despite the probings of Anthony Callaghan and Josh Howard (a half time substitute for the totally innefective Leon Mills) in the Mossley midfield, the Lilywhites looked like being unable to break a confident Prescot defence. Everything changed though on 74 minutes. Callaghan crossed from deep on the right and Mark Phillips climbed superbly to head over the despairing lunge of keeper Paul Dahl and Mossley were back in the game. Nigel Evans had his shirt tugged as he was about to shoot as Mossley claimed another penalty and the previously solid Prescot defence began to get nervous. The equaliser was as out of the blue as Phillips' goal. With just six minutes remaining Matty Taylor crossed from the right and Tony Carroll's header was deflected past Dahl by a defender and Mossley were amazingly level. Time was fast running out when Mossley won a corner on the left. Hevicon's cross was cleared but the ball landed at the feet of Anthony Callaghan some 35 yards out and his thunderous low drive took a deflection to wrong foot Dahl and the ball nestled in the net. The cheer all but raised the roof of the Park End stand as Ally Pickering and Jason Beckford danced their delight on the pitch and Callaghan disappeared underneath his celebrating team mates.What a comeback! Even then the drama wasn't finished as Todd broke clear on the right and his cross was brilliantly punched away by Hackney and the final whistle was blown to scenes of great celebration. The season really starts here! Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Russell Headley (6) 3. Matthew Cross (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Leon Mills (5) 7. Matty Taylor (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Nigel Evans (8) 11. Ryan Hevicon (7) Subs: 12. Mark Bradshaw (not used) 14. Simon Heaton (7) (for Headley) 15. Josh Howard (7) (for Mills) Yellow card: Callaghan, Cross MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Amazing game, amazing turnaround!! Matt finish for Mossley!! Congleton Town 0 Mossley 1 A Matty Taylor goal 19 minutes into tonight's tricky away game at Congleton Town was enough to give Mossley's claret & blues a welcome lift following Saturday's heartache at Curzon. With John Foster and Josh Howard recalled and Nigel Evans and Leon Mills making full debuts it was a different looking side that took the field at Booth Street and after taking a little while to settle Mossley went on to dominate the opening half. The goal was high quality. Ryan Hevicon set up Evans who broke on the left and crossed to Tony Carroll who flicked the ball on under pressure and Matty Taylor arrived at pace to reach the ball before the home keeper and score from 12 yards. Hevicon, Evans and Taylor were causing the home defence plenty of problems while Carroll came in for some harsh treatment from the Congleton defenders and eventually left the field injured ten minutes from time. It was a good opening half performance with Howard and Mills dominating midfield but chance shad been missed and a second half playing up the slope was always going to be more of a problem. Congleton's long ball tactics were never really a problem though and despite Rob Hackney being called on to make a couple of good saves Mossley were rarely troubled. At the other end Howard and Hevicon had good chances to extend the lead but home keeper Towns saved well. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. John Foster (7) 3. Matthew Cross (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Leon Mills (7) 7. Josh Howard (7) 8. Matty Taylor (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10.Nigel Evans (8) 11. Ryan Hevicon (7) Subs: 12. Russell Headley (6) (for Carroll) 14. Tony Coyne (6) (for Mills) 15. Mark Bradshaw (not used) Yellow card: Hevicon MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Phillips VERDICT: Good to get the Curzon defeat out of the system quickly!! Curzon Catastrophé! Curzon Ashton 3 Mossley 2 A lethargic first half performance in today's 'derby' at Curzon cost Mossley dear as they crashed to defeat to their lowly rivals. Curzon seemed to want it more and they went in at the interval with a deserved two goal lead. The opening goal came on 15 minutes when Mossley failed to clear a corner and ex Lilywhite Colin Heywood hammered home from the edge of the box. Four minutes later it got worse for Mossley as Darren Green scored from close range. It could have been worse, Delaney's effort came back off the woodwork with the Mossley defence all at sea. After the break Mossley showed more purpose and pulled a goal back on 53 minutes when Ryan Hevicon ran on to Sean Pickering's flick to score. Mossley applied much pressure thereafter and went close to equalising when Pickering's effort came back off a post, but Mossley, now employing just three at the back as they chased the game were caught out in the 77th minute when Heywood broke down the right and Green headed home his second from close range. Mossley were not quite finished though and debutant substitute Nigel Evans scrambled home a late consolation. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (5) 2. Matty Taylor (5) 3. Matty Cross (5) 4. Mark Phillips (5) 5,. Paul Taylor (5) 6. Tony Coyne (5) 7. Simon Heaton (5) 8. Anthony Callaghan (4) 9. Tony Carroll (6) 10. Sean Pickering (5) 11. Ryan Hevicon (4) 12. Nigel Evans (6) (for Cross) 14. Russell Headley (6) (for Heaton) 15. Josh Howard (6) (for Callaghan) Yellow card: Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH none VERDICT: Too awful for words!! Mossley too strong for Colls! Mossley 3 Atherton Collieries 1 Mossley strolled to a comfortable victory over Atherton Collieries at Seel Park tonight, but lost a great chance to boost the goal difference by missing a host of good chances. Colls attempted to take the game to the home side early on, but were easily repelled before Mossley took control of the game. Sean Pickering had the first chance but he lobbed over the advancing keeper and the bar when Carroll put him through. Mossley took the lead in the 18th minute. Heaton crossed low into the box, Pickering flicked the ball on and Ryan Hevicon made no mistake drilling the ball into the bottom corner from ten yards. The Lilywhites doubled their advantage on 35 minutes. Hevicon won a corner on the left and Heaton's cross was again flicked on by Pickering for skipper Paul Taylor to score his first goal of the season. After the break it was totally one way traffic with Hevicon's pace causing all kinds of problems for the visitors defence and it looked like being a night of frustration for top scorer Tony Carroll as he missed three glorious chances to increase the lead. Mossley's tendancy to 'showboat' was almost their undoing when Hackney was forced to save well from ex Workington striker Matty Swailes and then with four minutes remaining Colls reduced the arrears when Phillips and Hackney got in a tangle under pressure from giant number 9 Gallagher and Swailes was able to roll the ball into an empty net. There was no threat of Atherton scoring again and Mossley wrapped the game up with a high quality goal in the last minute. Sub Russell Headley, Pickering and Hevicon played a great one touch move on the right to set up Tony Carroll who gleefully thrashed the ball into the net to end his personal frustration and ensure the points for Mossley. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (6) 2. Matty Taylor (8) 3. Matthew Cross (7) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Simon Heaton (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Sean Pickering (9) 11. Ryan Hevicon (8) subs 12. Leon Mills (not used) 14. Russ Headley (7) (for Heaton) 15. John Foster (not used) Yellow cards: Hevicon MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Sean Pickering VERDICT: Another good performance, finishing needs to be more clinical!! Mossley make Vase progress! Mossley 3 Ramsbottom United 1 FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Mossley eased through today's FA Vase tie against Ramsbottom with a confident attacking display. The Lilywhites settled quickly and soon had the visitors on the back foot and maintained their dominence throughout a one sided first half. However, despite Mossley's total dominence they had only one goal to show for their efforts - a 23rd minute top drawer effort from leading scorer Tony Carroll. The former Hyde and Salford hit-man bagged his sixth goal in six appearances for Mossley with agreat strike from 20 yards after he had been played through by a deft Simon Heaton pass. The usual threat of Russell Brierley never materialised as Paul Taylor kept him firmly in check, but it was his strike partner who scored an out of the blue equaliser four minutes after the break. The ball fell kindly for Carl Lomax and his blistering thirty yarder beat Rob Hackney off a post for a spectacular equaliser. Mossley were soon back in their stride and they edged in front on 58 minutes. Tony Coyne won a corner on the left and Simon Heaton's centre was knocked home unmarked by Mark Phillips for his second in successive games from 10 yards. Matty Cross then made a great goal-line clearance before Ryan Hevicon wrapped the game up on 63 minutes. Matty Taylor broke down the right, cut inside and released Hevicon at full pace and he rounded his marker with ease before slotting the ball in the far corner. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Matty Taylor (7) 3. Matthew Cross (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Simon Heaton (7) 8. Anthony Callaghan (8) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Sean Pickering (7) 11. Ryan Hevicon (8) subs 12. Tony Gaffey (not used) 14. Mark Paver (not used) 15. Russ Headley (for Hevicon) 16. Leon Grandison (not used) 17. John Foster (not used) Yellow cards: Hevicon, Cross, Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Anthony Callaghan VERDICT: Another confident display!! Mossley beat League leaders! Clitheroe 1 Mossley 2 Mossley bounced back in the best possible way from Saturday's disappointment to record a fine victory over League leaders Clitheroe at Shawbridge tonight. With several team changes Mossley looked a far more organised and compact unit than of late with Anthony Callaghan, Simon Heaton and Matthew Cross all making their full debuts. Callaghan along with midfield partner Tony Coyne looked Mossley's best central midfield pairing yet, while Heaton and Hevicon were exceptional wingers causing the home defence all kinds of problems. Mossley's opener came on 15 minutes, Heaton's free kick from the right was turned against his own crossbar by Cowking and Mark Phillips was on hand to score his first goal in a Mossley shirt as he netted the rebound from eight yards. Mossley continued to dominate and the inevitable second goal came on 22 minutes. Rishton's back pass was picked up by keeper Richens under pressure and from the resultant indirect free kick just inside the home box, Tony Carroll received a short pass to blast home into the bottom corner. On 32 minutes Clitheroe gained an unlikely lifeline when Coyne and Phillips misunderstood each other and Lee Buggie was on hand to chip home from ten yards. Sean Pickering created a great chance from nothing but curled his left footer inches wide as Mossley responded well. The second half saw Clitheroe throw the proverbial 'kitchen sink' at Mossley but to no avail as a rock solid defence kept them at bay, leaving Rob Hackney under employed despite a succession of threatening long balls into the danger area. It was Mossley who had the best chance to score when a great run by Hevicon saw Carroll screw his shot wide from a good position and Mossley dersvedly held out to take maximum points from their previously unbeaten hosts. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Matty Taylor (8) 3. Matthew Cross (8) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (9) 7. Simon Heaton (8) 8. Anthony Callaghan (9) 9. Tony Carroll (8) 10. Sean Pickering (7) 11. Ryan Hevicon (8) subs 12. Tony Gaffey (6) (for Pickering) 14. John Foster (6) (for P.Taylor) 15. Russ Headley (not used) Yellow cards: Coyne, Phillips, Callaghan MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Tony Coyne VERDICT: Best performance so far, game on!! Mossley out of Cup! Workington 2 Mossley 1 FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Mossley will bemoan their luck as they crashed out of the FA Cup in glorious sunshine in Cumbria today. The home side made all the early running but as the half progressed Mossley began to get a grip and were unlucky when Tony Carroll's headed goal was disallowed for offside. Paul Taylor hit the bar with a header from a corner before Mossley took a 30th minute lead when Matty Taylor curled a superb 20 yard angled volley into the top corner. Unfortunately Mossley didn't get out of the blocks after the interval and Workington pressure paid off when Michael Dickinson scored from close range despite Mossley claims for offside. Five minutes later Mossley were behind when Hackney could only palm away Dickenson's drive and Darren Wilson was on hand to slot home. Mossley created chances to equalise and great chances were spurned when substitute Sean Pickering crashed a shot off the bar when it looked easier to score and then in the dying moments Ricky Harris hit the post from six yards with the goal at his mercy and Mossley were out of the Cup. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (6) 2. John Foster (6) 3. Matty Taylor (9) 4. Mark Phillips (6) 5. Paul Taylor (6) 6. Robert Trees (5) 7. Tony Gaffey (6) 8. Ricky Harris (6) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Darren Wardle (5) 11. Russell Headley (6) subs 12. Sean Pickering (5) (for Wardle) 14. Tony Coyne (7) (for Trees) 15. Matthew Cross (not used) 16. Leon Grandison (not used) 17. Simon Heaton (6) (for Gaffey) Yellow cards: Wardle, Carroll MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Matty Taylor VERDICT: Didn't play well, but still deserved a draw!! Only themselves to blame!! Mossley 1 Alsager Town 2 Mossley had only themselves to blame for not taking maximum points against newly promoted Alsager Town at Seel Park this evening. It was at times a scintillating first half performance by the Lilywhites but the home side were ultimately undone by their lack of finishing as they went down to a far inferior team. Mossley opened really well and were knocking the ball about at pace threatening to overwhelm Alsager and Darren Wardle tested the keeper early on with a powerful left foot drive. The same player then had a goal disallowed for offside. and Matty Taylor was clearly fouled inside the box without reward and Ricky Harris hit the woodwork. Alsager in fact mustered just one attack in the entire first 45 minutes. Three minutes after the break all looked rosy when Harris' through ball unleashed Tony Carroll who hit a superb shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards. However disaster struck a minute later when Gaffey gave away a free kick 25 yards out and former Kidsgrove player Andy Kinsey curled a great shot into the top corner. A minute later the game was turned upside down as a stunned Seel Park crowd saw Kinsey finish off the visitors only worthwhile attacking move of the game and Mossley were unbelievably behind. Frustration was the name of the game thereafter and even the introduction of attacking substitutes Pickering, Headley and Wosahlo couldn't help Mossley overcome a massed defence. Pickering ought to have been awarded a penalty when he was puled down and Harris should have done better with a close range header but in general you couldn't have ridden a motorbike through the Alsager defence on this occasion and Mossley were well and truly mugged! Team: 1. Rob Hackney (6) 2. John Foster (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (5) 4. Mark Phillips (6) 5. Paul Taylor (6) 6. Tony Gaffey (6) 7. Matty Taylor (8) 8. Ryan Hevicon (7) 9. Tony Carroll (7) 10. Darren Wardle (6) 11. Ricky Harris (6) subs 12. Sean Pickering (5) (for Wardle) 14. Russell Headley (6) (for Bradshaw) 15. Bradley Wosahlo (6) (for Gaffey) Yellow cards: Gaffey, Phillips MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Matty Taylor VERDICT: If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes....!! Mossley edge a tale of two halves!! Mossley 3 Ramsbottom United 2 Mossley recovered from twice falling behind in a poor first half performance to score twice early in the second period and collect maximum points against an 'up for it' Ramsbottom side at Seel Park this afternoon. The visitors certainly had the better of a first half that saw Mossley out fought and out witted with Brierley and Lomax causing much consternation in the home defence. Ramsbottom took a deserved 18th minute lead when Paul Taylor mistimed a challenge on Lomax and Brierley became the first player to beat Rob Hackney from the spot this season. Four goals in six amazing minutes either side of half time settled the issue though! Tony Carroll headed a superb equaliser on 43 minutes after Wosahlo had set up Russ Headley to cross from the left. Ramsbottom countered and restored their lead moments later when Brierley bundled the ball home as the Mossley defence went static. A double half time substitution by Ally Pickering saw Darren Wardle and Simon Heaton replace the ineffective Bradley Wosahlo and the injured Robert Trees and the change had immediate effect. Tony Coyne burst through on the left and was bundled over for a spot kick that Tony Carroll neatly tucked away and two minutes later Mossley edged in front as Matty Taylor's low cross from the right was struck goalwards by Carroll, Ramsbottom keeper Marsh saved well but Russell Headley was racing in from the left to net the rebound from eight yards. Mossley were far more solid after this, even after a forced reshuffle as left back Paul Barrow hurt a shoulder and striker Sean Pickering was his replacement. Wardle was denied with a fine header that saw Marsh make a good save and the outstanding Carroll drove a thirty yard free kick inches wide. Wardle was a denied again when he rounded the keeper only to be brought down as he was about to shoot. The referee saw it otherwise and instead of a penalty Wardle was booked for diving. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (8) 2. Matty Taylor (8) 3. Paul Barrow (7) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (6) 6. Robert Trees (4) 7. Tony Gaffey (7) 8. Tony Coyne (7) 9. Tony Carroll (9) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (5) 11. Russell Headley (8) subs 12. Darren Wardle (7) (for Wosahlo) 14. Sean Pickering (6) (for Barrow) 15. Simon Heaton (8) (for Trees) Yellow cards: Headley, Gaffey, Wardle MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Tony Carroll VERDICT: Good recovery after a dreadful start! Wosahlo double spurs Mossley to cup success! Goole 0 Mossley 3 FA Cup Preliminary Round Mossley coasted to a comfortable victory over Northern Counties East League side Goole on Humberside today thanks not least to an early double strike by Bradley Wosahlo and some astounding goalkeeping by Rob Hackney. Mossley with only eleven fit players and Ally Pickering on the bench dominated the early stages and deserved their lead in the 8th minute when Headley's through ball found Wosahlo who chested down and half volleyed into the bottom corner from 20 yards with the home goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Ten minutes later Wosahlo doubled the advantage when he raced onto a delightful through ball from Mike Wolstenholme to calmly slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Mossley then appeared to take their foot off the gas a little and Goole began to threaten and Hackney excelled himself with an amazing point blank save from Jermaine Manners and two minutes later all but wrote himself a headline by saving and holding Andy Saville's penalty kick after the outstanding Mark Phillips was harshly adjudge to have fouled Manners. Having survived this Mossley wrapped the game up on the half hour. Headley and Sammy Harris worked a short corner on the left and the latter crossed for Wolstenholme to volley home on the turn from ten yards. The second half saw Mossley comfortably hold Goole at bay and still manage to create a couple more chances without ever over exerting themselves and for a change avoided picking up any more injuries. Team 1. Rob Hackney (9) 2. Matty Taylor (8) 3. Paul Barrow (6) 4. Mark Phillips (9) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Gaffey (7) 7. Russell Headley (6) 8. Robert Trees (6) 9. Mike Wolstenholme (7) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (8) 11. Sammy Harris (6) subs 12. Mark Bradshaw (not used) 14. Josh Howard (not used) 15. Ally Pickering (7) (for Harris) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Rob Hackney & Mark Phillips VERDICT: Good chance of a cup run methinks! Carroll scores on debut as Mossley beat Abbey! Mossley 2 Abbey Hey 1 Games against perennial underdogs like Abbey Hey are always difficult and this local derby was no different as Mossley struggled to exert their authority, particularly in the first half, over what was basically last season's Woodley Sports successful reserve side. Abbey appeared unafraid of Mossley's reputation as they were quick to settle and in young striker Joe Metz and keeper Higginbottom appear to have a couple of real prospects. Abbey had the ball in the net after fifteen minutes but the effort was ruled out for offside. Mossley had a great chance to open the scoring on the half hour after the earlier subdued Sammy Harris broke clear only to be fouled in the box. Unfortunately for Mossley Tony Coyne saw his well struck spot kick superbly saved by Higginbottom. Mossley finally broke the deadlock six minutes later. Matty Taylor won a corner on the right after a great run. Bradshaw and Headley worked the short corner and the former's cross was headed home by debutant Tony Carroll. The game was held up for ten minutes after the break after two floodlight pylons went out, but the electrician saved the day and Mossley increased their lead a few minutes after the restart when Russell Headley broke on the right and his low cross was flicked on by Wosahlo for Tony Coyne to smash home from eight yards. Mossley completely dominated the remainder of the game but it was Abbey who scored a breakaway goal ten minutes from time when the lively Metz set up Johnson to score. Team 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. Matty Taylor (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Tony Coyne (7) 7. Russell Headley (7) 8. Robert Trees (7) 9. Bradley Wosahlo (7) 10. Tony Carroll (8) 11. Sammy Harris (7) subs 12. Paul Barrow (7) (for Bradshaw) 14. Mark Paver (not used) 15. Mike Wolstenholme (not used) MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH MattyTaylor VERDICT: Still a long way to go but nice to return to winning ways!! Mossley slip up at Skem! Skelmersdale United 1 Mossley 0 Mossley were defeated for the first time this season with a below par performance at White Moss Park. They started brightly with some slick passing movements particularly in midfield, but most attacks were cleaned up by the Skem defence. Mossley seemed very strong at the back, but unfortunately John Foster had to leave the field early in the first half due to injury. As a result, the defence had to reshuffle, with Matty Taylor dropping back and Paul Barrow coming on into midfield. A long range effort skimmed the Mossley bar with Rob Hackney beaten, and it was no surprise when Craig Murphy opened the scoring after 40 minutes. The second half developed into a scrappy affair, and was characterised by sloppy passing which resulted in very few openings. Paul Taylor had a good chance to equalise but headed straight at the Skem keeper. The best chance for the Lilywhites fell to Trees, but it struck a defender on route to goal. Mossley need to start creating opportunities in front of goal if the pre-season promise isn't to disintegrate before we enter Autumn. Report courtesy Simon Howard (Mossleymania) Team 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. John Foster (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (7) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Robert Trees (7) 7. Matty Taylor (7) 8. Tony Coyne (6) 9. Mike Wolstenholme (6) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (6) 11. Russell Headley (6) subs 12. Paul Barrow (7) (for Foster) 14. Leon Grandison (6) (for Wolstenholme) 15. David Wills (for Coyne) Yellow cards: Grandison MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Paul Taylor VERDICT: Very disappointing! Good point for injury hit Mossley! Prescot Cables 0 Mossley 0 Mossley battled superbly against a strong and direct Prescot Cables side at Valerie Park on Tuesday night. It was a 'nip and tuck' game played on an excellent surface, full of incident and goalmouth action, five bookings, but no goals between two potential serious title rivals. Both sides were hampered by enforced team changes and it took a while for the game to settle down as both sides felt their way into what was a very competitive but fair match. As the match wore on it became a subtle contrast between Mossley's high work rate and good movement opposed to Prescot's long early ball game that ultimately brought them little joy. Mossley's defence was again on form while going forward Matty Taylor caused the home defence all kinds of problems and Neil Tolson's second half introduction to the forward line may have paid dividends. The game was all but over when Josh Howard unfortunately damaged a shoulder. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. John Foster (8) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (8) 5. Paul Taylor (8) 6. Josh Howard (8) 7. Matty Taylor (8) 8. Tony Coyne (7) 9. Mike Wolstenholme (7) 10. Bradley Wosahlo (7) 11. Russell Headley (7) subs: 12. Mark Paver (not used) 14. Paul Barrow (7) (for Headley) 15. Neil Tolson (8) (for Wolstenholme) Yellow cards: M. Taylor, Wolstenholme, Tolson MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Taylor VERDICT: A very hard working performance and well earned point, but, chances need to be taken! Wosahlo seals opening day victory! Mossley 1 Newcastle Town 0 A fine glancing header by substitute Bradley Wosahlo earned Mossley a deserved opening day victory against a strong Newcastle Town side at a hot and sticky Seel Park this afternoon. Mossley, resplendent in their new black and white kit nearly got off to a flyer when Bradshaw's through ball caught the visitors big defence napping and Sean Pickering brought the best out of visitors keeper Simon Pay. The Lilywhites defence looked comfortable on the rare occasion that an impressive midfield let them through and with Matty Taylor and Russell Headley probing on the wings 'Castle were restricted to defending deeply. Mossley lost Mike Wolstenholme with a thigh strain after thirty minutes before 'Castle hit the post but the linesman's flag was already raised. Mossley took a fully deserved lead three minutes after the break. Matty Taylor won a corner on the right. Headley's kick was only partially cleared, Mark Bradshaw crossed from the left and Wosahlo climbed unhindered to glance home his header. Mossley continued to threaten with Pickering a constant thorn in the Newcastle side with some sublime skills. It was the diminutive former Abbey Hey striker who had the best chance to increase the lead when put clean through by John Foster, but his attempted chip cleared the bar. At the other end Newcastle created only one chance after Pickering had lost the ball on half way but Woodvine miscued in front of goal and Mossley deservedly took maximum points. Team: 1. Rob Hackney (7) 2. John Foster (7) 3. Mark Bradshaw (8) 4. Mark Phillips (7) 5. Paul Taylor (7) 6. Josh Howard (7) 7. Matty Taylor (8) 8. Robert Trees (7) 9. Mike Wolstenholme (6) 10. Sean Pickering (8) 11. Russell Headley (7) subs: 12. Bradley Wosahlo (7) for Wolstenholme 14. Tony Coyne (6) for Trees 15. Paul Barrow (7) for M.Taylor MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Bradshaw VERDICT: Very promising first game. Good football and good shape throughout. Need to find cutting edge in front of goal!