Mossley earned the bragging rights over their high flying neighbours Curzon Ashton in this Easter Monday 'derby' match that had all the excitement one would expect from such a game.

Mossley were forced into a defensive reshuffle with Andy Watson unavailable and skipper Graham Kay completing his three match ban. In came Jonathan Jackson for his first appearance in a Mossley shirt since September and the bench was boosted by two sixteen year olds in recent signing Josh Harrison from Macclesfield and Stalybridge reserves highly rated Joel Bembo-Leta.

Mossley got off to a good start with a stiff breeze at their backs and forced several early corners that caused consternation in the home defence before taking a deserved lead on 12 minutes when Chris McDonagh's powerful drive squirmed from Curzon keeper Michael Hale's grasp and went in off the post.

Mossley were then hit by a serious looking injury to midfielder Jordan Goodeve when Curzon striker Mike Norton went in late and was shown a straight red card for his badly timed tackle.

Mossley now had real impetus and doubled their lead on 38 minutes. The outstanding Mike Fish beat two defenders before rolling Matty Russell through on the left. The former Curzon player took a touch before curling his shot beyond Hale's reach from a difficult angle.

Curzon were far from out of it though and O'Connor fired a great drive against the post before Mossley were hit with another injury blow as Jonathan Jackson had to be helped from the field with a knee injury. teenager Joel Bembo-Leta replacing him in a further reorganised defence.

Curzon halved the arrears on the stroke of half time when Ajay Leitch-Smith turned the ball home from a left wing cross.

With the wind at their backs ten man Curzon had a real go at Mossley after the break and like Mossley in the first half, forced several corners that the makeshift Mossley defence dealt well with.

Mossley were still a threat on the break and when Blackshaw's cross was handled by Phil Edghill, Matty Kay blasted home the penalty kick to restore the two goal cushion on 62 minutes. Edghill however, made reparations three minutes later when he headed home from a right wing corner to set the large travelling contingent of Mossley fans willing the clock to run down as Curzon pressed hard for an equaliser.

A couple of Curzon shots went narrowly wide and the now massed Mossley defence held the home side at bay. At the other end Steve Settle was causing havoc on the right and Chris McDonagh was denied by a great save by Hale as he bore down on goal. Hale also saved well from Mike Fish moments later as Mossley sought to seal the victory.

Back came Curzon to force a couple of late corners but when Luke Mack's powerful shot flew an inch wide of Peter Collinge's left hand post Curzon's last chance had gone and the final whistle sounded moments later to deservedly secure Mossley the points and a 100% Easter record.

report by John Cawthorne

pics by SJNR