A hat-trick, including two penalties, by last season's top scorer Matty Kay helped Mossley on their way to a 4-3 win at neighbours Woodley Sports on New Years Day.

A drab first half with few chances for either side was enlivened in the last minute of the half by a goal for each side. Firstly Matty Kay rifled home a penalty after the referee spotted a Woodley defender's hand clearly srike the ball, then straight from the kick off Woodley broke and a right wing cross was headed home by the unmarked Mark Gee.

The second half was an altogether more exciting affair. Mossley enjoyed plenty of possession but Woodley were causing problems from set pieces and after a series of dangerous right wing corners had been dealt with, the home side won a corner on the left that saw Mark Haslam cross for ex Mossley man Sam Walker to flick home a near post header.

Mossley responded immediately, or more to the point ex Woodley striker Kristian Dennis did. The former Macclesfield youngster took a pass just inside the Woodley half skipping past a couple of challenges to fire home a superb curling left foot drive from just oustide the box for his fourth goal in as many games, and like Woodley in the first half, Mossley had now equalised within a minute of going behind.

The Lilywhites were ahead for the second time in the game in the 77th minute. A quick throw by Dennis on the right saw Mike Fish scamper down the same wing and his low cross was rattled home from eight yards by the inrushing Matty Kay.

The win was more or less sealed two minutes from time when Mossley were awarded a second penalty. Substitute Aaron Chalmers worked a clever move down the left and played Sam Hare into the box who was then clearly brought down. Matty Kay again powered his spot kick past the helpless Joe Boyle.

Woodley weren't quite finished though and when Mossley conceded a foul just outside the box, Sam Walker coolly curled the resultant free kick around the Mossley wall and into the top corner. It was too little too late for Woodley though as the final whistle sounded a couple of minutes later to bring some much hoped for new year cheer for the Mossley faithful.

Report by Wizard