Mossley’s poor home record against Lancaster City continued at Seel Park on Saturday as the Lilywhites crashed to a 4-2 defeat despite almost completely dominating the game.

The Lilywhites defence is having something of a torrid time at the moment and it’s current brittleness was perfectly exemplified in this latest defeat at the hands of last season’s League runners up and beaten play off finalists.

After Peter Collinge had made a smart early save to deny Adam Farrell, Mossley took control of the game. Raids down the right wing with Cavell Coo prominent looked promising for Mossley as cross after cross flew into the Lancaster danger area.

City keeper Martin Fearon was regularly called upon, often choosing to punch clear rather than catch Mossley’s seemingly unending deliveries.Chances came and went but Mossley continued to play neat constructive football and retained possession very well. Lancaster for their part appeared happy to soak up the home pressure and did so successfully.

The game inexplicably turned in the visitors favour three minutes before the interval when Kenworthy nipped inside a couple of tackles and laid the ball off to Max Rothwell who fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.

Worse was to follow for Mossley as Lancaster suddenly found the confidence to ‘have a go’ and three minutes into first half stoppage time doubled their advantage. Paul Jarvis firing home from a right wing cross.

The second half saw Mossley again force the issue in search of a goal and the Lilywhites continued to press without reward. More chances came and went but the Lancaster goal continued it’s somewhat charmed life.

Lancaster then sucker punched Mossley once more in the 54th minute when a long punt out of defence somehow found Josh Kenworthy who scored easily when left one on one with the stranded Peter Collinge.

Mossley finally got the goal their attacking enterprise so much deserved when Mike Fish fired home from the edge of the box with the help of a deflection. Moments later Mossley might have had a second but Fish’s powerful header was deflected over the bar.

Mossley continued to press forward at every opportunity still feeling that they could get something from the game, such was their dominance, but were done for the fourth time with six minutes remaining. Cavell Coo, who had had another sound game misplaced a pass that ended with Rothwell walking the ball around Collinge to score.Lancaster—five shots—four goals, Mossley umpteen shots—one goal, summed the game up at that point.

Mossley continued to attack to the end of the game and were scantly rewarded in stoppage time when Michael Thomas scored his first goal for the club with a thundering 25 yard drive that cannoned in off the underside of the bar to give the score-line a degree of credibility.

Once Mossley learn to take more of the many chances they create and to stop giving away soft goals they will surely be a force to be reckoned with, but the soft underbelly being shown at the moment needs to be solidified quickly in order to achieve anything this season.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy