After a raft of weather induced postponements, the new year belatedly got under way for both Mossley and Curzon Ashton in the manner in which the old one had ended, with both sides facing each other in a hot tempered Tameside derby.
The Lilywhites won that initial encounter back in December but almost three weeks on they were made to rue a couple of lapses in concentration and a string of spurned opportunities as their local neighbours ensured that bragging rights would be split evenly in the league this season.
The early stages of the game were punctuated frequently by the sound of the referee's whistle, and for good reason too as Curzon's overly physical approach all too often landed them in trouble. Despite the countless number of free-kicks awarded around their opponents box though, Mossley failed to punish the Ashton side for their numerous indiscretions.
And it was the same story in open play too. A lengthy series of promising moves by the Lilywhites ultimately amounted to nothing more than the Curzon keeper, David Carnell, breathing a sigh of relief as inrushing white shirts failed to make contact with the assortment of inviting crosses being played in from the wings
It took a 38th minute effort from Danny Dignan to break the sequence and finally call Carnell into action; the custodian meeting the Mossley forwards superbly executed twenty five yard shot with a save of similar stature.
That moment looked like it was going to be the last one of note in the opening half until Curzon hit Mossley with a sucker punch a minute before the break. A simple ball up the centre of the pitch caught the Mossley defence cold and Alex Elliott held his nerve to slip his shot under Robertson and give the visitors the lead.
The second period began with Mossley on the pitch in body, but seemingly not in mind or spirit. Straight from the restart it was virtually one way traffic as the visitors repeatedly cut through the Lilywhites midfield and defence with ridiculous ease. Robertson managed to deny Elliott & Michael O'Connor with two good saves but he was only delaying the inevitable which duly arrived in the 64th minute. Failure to deal with a corner led to a goalmouth scramble which ended with Chris Curley scrambling the ball across the line to double Curzon's lead.
The only positive aspect about the second goal from a Mossley perspective was that it appeared to rouse the Lilywhites from their mysterious slumber and coupled with a change in on-field personnel, they once again began to ask questions of their opponents.
Danny Self went close on two occasions to giving his side a way back into the game, as did Michael Fish who drew yet another stunning save out of Carnell. Further unsuccessful efforts followed from Chris Hirst and Graham Kay too.
But just as Mossley might have rescued the game in its final quarter if they'd been a touch more accurate in front of goal, Curzon's own profligacy at the opposite end of the pitch prevented them from succumbing to an even heavier defeat as the game became stretched in its closing stages.
It may be a losing start to 2009 for Mossley but if they continue it in the manner that was in evidence for much of this game, disappointing score lines such as this one will be the exception rather than the rule.
Report by SJNR
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Garry Hadfield
pic by Aaron Flanagan
pic by Garry Hadfield
