Mossley won through to their first Manchester Premier Cup Final since 2000 with a very hard earned victory over rather physical Vodcat NWCL League big spenders New Mills.
Mossley had gotten off to a flying start when they opened the scoring after just two minutes. New Mills saw their first attack break down and when the ball was cleared, hesitancy in the Millers defence saw Danny Dignan race through to slot home against his former club, to his own and his team-mates great delight.
Dignan, who had an unhappy spell languishing in the reserves at New Mills last season, teased and tormented the Millers defence all night and came inn for some harsh treatment, particularly from New Mills left back Matty Bunting. However, it was Dignan's strike partner Mike Fish who got the worst treatment. He was cynically hacked down by ex Mossley defender Danny Jackson, who was lucky to see only a yellow card brandished, leaving the Lilywhites top scorer needing lengthy treatment. Having just shaken off that injury he was again hacked this time by Bromley and it was enough to end Fish's night with barely 30 minutes played. Chris Hurst was Fish's replacement.
By this time Mossley were two up though as Daryl Weston and Nick Boothby both wion headers in the New Mills box and Lee Blackshaw found space to volley home from the left angle eight yards out.
New Mills, who missed midfield out at every opportunity had the awkward pairing of the hardworking Kharas and the towering Smith up front and it was much to Man of the Match Simon Wood and the equally outstanding Nick Boothby's credit that the Millers front two were restricted to scraps. It was Kharas who helped find a way back into the game for the visitors though, when the ex Glossop and Ashton United striker wrong footed Ben Richardson and squared for former Woodley Sports wideman Carlos Meakin to fire home from close range.
Mossley had earlier missed a couple of great chances to go three up. Dignan had mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy and Moyo-Modise had fired high and wide after a fantastic mazy run by Lee Blackshaw but Mossley had controlled much of the first half and took a deserved lead into the dressing room at half time.
New Mills attempted to bomb Mossley in the second half and fired the ball into the Mossley area time and again only to be thwarted by Wood and Boothby and when the ball did get through Andy Robertson was alert to every danger and handled well all night.
Mossley had chances at the other end as they laid deep and counter attacked and should have put the game beyond New Mills reach when Hirst raced fully 50 yards up field and squared to Dignan. Dignan took a little too long and his shot was charged down with Craig Buckley firing the rebound high and wide.
A late half chance for New Mills saw Robertson save with his legs from Meakin to concede one of numerous New Mills corners but Mossley held firm reasonably comfortably to the final whistle, leaving players and fans alike delighted to make it through to the final.
Mossley will now play Droylsden in the final at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park on Wednesday 28th April.
Report by Orpheus
pics by Garry Hadfield
