Mossley v AFC Telford United

'Hand of Buck' decides cracker
Mossley 3 AFC Telford United 4

UniBond League Premier Division

Saturday 13th January 2007 @ Seel Park, Mossley

Mossley (White & Black)

AFC Telford United (Red & White)

1. Steve WIlson (6)

1. Brock

2. Nicky Thompson (7)

2. Vaughan

3. Joel Pilkington (7)

3. Craven

4. David Eyres (9)

4. Turner X

5. Gary Furnival (7)

5. Teesdale

6. Jonathon Smith (c) (7)

6. Khela

7. Christian Cooke (8) X

7. Stanley X

8. Melford Knight (8)

8. Palmer

9. Peter Wright (6) X

9. Foster

10. Joe Shaw (9)

10. Marsden X

11. James Turley (8)

11. Moore

12. Lee Shiliito (6) (for Cooke 68 mins)

12. Birch (for Marsden)

14. Will Ryder (not used)

14. Willis (for Stanley)

15. Fraser Robinson (5) (for Cooke 75 mins)

15. Rodgers (for Turner)

MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH David Eyres & Joe Shaw

Half Time: 3-2

Full Time: 3-4

Goals:

Turley (29), Thompson (35), Knight (44)

Foster (4), Marsden (10), Vaughan (49), Birch (89)

Mossley were edged out by the odd goal in seven by a highly contentious late goal bundled home by the hand of debutant Telford striker Gary Birch, to give the League leaders three points in their race for the title and deny Mossley the point their endeavor deserved.

It was a classic UniBond League game though that started as a potential rout as the impressive visitors took a two goal lead within ten minutes, thus leaving Mossley with a mountain to climb. The opening goal came from Telford's first real foray in the fourth minute when Steve Foster ended his personal recent goal drought with a superb finish from 15 yards.

On ten minutes Mossley were in real trouble as Justin Marsden ended a four man move by firing past the despairing WIlson.

The Lilywhites looked down and out as Telford missed a sitter when Marsden missed an easy header but this proved to be decisive as Mossley staged a remarkable comeback.

David Eyres, who had an awesome game in central midfield, played the ball into the box for Christian Cooke to go on a close controlled dribble across the six yard box and Cooke allowed James Turley to take the ball off his toes to score from close range in the 29th minute.

Mossley's spirits were clearly lifted and Eyres and Joe Shaw started to get on the ball worrying a previously comfortable looking Telford defence. It was however, a freakish goal that Mossley saw equalise. Nicky Thompson crossed from around 45 yards on the right and the ball caught in the wind and floated over the stranded Brock.

The first half comeback was complete a minute before the break. Joe Shaw's quick thinking from a Telford free kick saw Mossley win a corner on the left. Shaw's corner was crossed deep to David Eyres some 25 yards out. Eyres hit a venomous first time volley that Brock could only parry into the path of Melford Knight who gleefully rammed the ball home from close range.

Telford opened the second half in search of an equaliser and didn't have to wait too long. Right back Lee Vaughan was allowed too much space on the right and he drilled the ball past Wilson from a tight angle.

Nicky Thompson . . .
45 yard goal

The game was heading for a draw as both teams struggled to play football on a somewhat churned up pitch. Mossley were holding their own despite now playing into a strong headwind and with two minutes remaining ought to have taken the lead. Shaw crossed from the right from a partially cleared free kick, Smith flicked on a header that saw substitute Fraser Robinson with a free header facing a stranded Brock, but instead headed straight into Brock's arms when it looked easier to score.

Worse was to follow for the frustrated Robinson who then conceded a needless free kick in Mossley's half. The ball was played into the box, Foster's shot was parried by Wilson and Telford substitute Gary Birch, signed from Lincoln City only yesterday, bundled the ball over the line with his hand at the far post with referee and linesmen unsighted.

It was a disappointing and heartbreaking way to lose the game, it had taken such a manful effort to turn the game around after such a dreadful start and exemplifies the luck required as well as skill if a team is to be successful at this level.

Match Programme Editorial pages available here Telford.pdf