Mossley put in an excellent performance to reach the final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup for the first time since 2009 with a 4-1 hammering of Salford City at Moor Lane.

The team lined up somewhat differently than the one beaten at Durham in the previous outing, with manager Steve Halford selecting himself in the middle of a three man back line while Nathan Neequaye returned to partner Tom Denton up front.

Mossley were out of the blocks like an express train on this occasion, chasing and harrying Salford at every turn and looking a constant threat to a shaky ‘Ammies’ rearguard.

Mossley ought to have taken an early lead when Neequaye outpaced the home defence and took the ball around keeper Howarth only to fire into the side netting as the ball bobbled on his shot.

After completely dominating possession in the opening spell, it was no surprise when the Lilywhites opened the scoring on 16 minutes. Ben Richardson firing home after good work by Denton and Neequaye.

Denton’s aerial threat and Neequaye’s pace caused endless problems for Salford in the opening half and Denton was rewarded with a goal to double Mossley’s advantage on 29 minutes, out-jumping Howarth to head home Mark Haslam’s floated right wing free kick from close range.

Denton ought to have scored another when a great run by Cavell Coo gave him an excellent chance but his first time shot cleared the bar with the goal at his mercy and Heffernan headed against his own bar when under pressure in another Mossley attack.

Mossley’s solid defending and hard grafting midfield meant that Salford didn’t manage a single shot in the entire opening 45 minutes.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Mossley again in complete control. Richardson missed a great chance to put Mossley three up in the opening minute when set up by Lee Rick but Howarth did well to hold on at the second attempt.

The third goal finally came in the 54th minute. Coo burst through a gap from midfield and played the ball left to the unmarked Neequaye who despite a poor first touch had the pace to connect before Salford defender Evans and loop his shot beyond the stranded Howarth.

Mossley put the game way beyond Salford’s reach on 61 minutes when Richardson caught Evans in possession and curled a fine shot past the hapless Howarth.

Salford saw their only effort on target hit the net for a consolation goal in the 82nd minute when Danny Heffernan headed home from a corner but it was far too little far too late for the home side who had been thoroughly outplayed up to that point.

Salford enjoyed more possession in the closing stages after substitute defender Mike Jones had to go up front after sustaining an injury soon after coming on and Mossley had already used their permitted subs.
It was in the end a thoroughly deserved victory and Mossley can now look forward to an end of season cup final against Blue Square North neighbours Droylsden.

Report by Wizard