Mossley finally got their season underway with this emphatic 6-2 win over Ossett Albion at Seel Park on Saturday lifting the Lilywhites off the bottom of the table and giving them a platform on which to build.

Ossett started the game in lively fashion but in Mossley's first attack in the fourth minute the home side took the lead. Cameron Darkwah was the instigator and finisher as his run down the left channel saw him brought tumbling by an Ossett defender and the striker on loan from Stockport County coolly slotted home the resultant spot kick sending keeper Phil Wood the wrong way.

Mossley continued to force the pace as Albion often found themselves chasing shadows thanks to the movement of Darkwah and Lee Constantine and the probing runs of wide men Joe Heap and Kayde Coppin.

Heap was rewarded for his hard work and tenacity on 24 minutes when he skipped past a couple of tackles before knocking the ball past the stranded keeper with the ball crossing the line before the covering defender could clear.

Ossett's response to the second goal was immediate as Dale Kelly found himself with space to curl a good shot around the advancing Martin Pearson as the Ossett number nine was left with two much room on the left.

Pearson was in action a few minutes later making a good save to his right to stop Lucas' goal bound effort, but it was Mossley still making most of the running and the home side added a third on 38 minutes. A flowing move through midfield saw Joe Heap cross from the left and Darkwah added his second when taking the ball wide of the keeper to score with a covering defender again arriving to clear just too late as the ball crossed the line.

On the stroke of half time Mossley added a fourth when skipper Cavell Coo burst forward and confidently stroked the ball home from the edge of the box as the Ossett defence retreated from him.

The second half was barely a minute old when Mossley added a fifth goal. A poor back pass by Taylor saw keeper Wood badly slice his clearance and Darkwah was on hand to poach his hat-trick as he steadied himself to score from a tight angle.

Mossley won a free kick on 53 minutes and up stepped the outstanding Joe Heap to curl a superb set piece into the top corner from 25 yards that gave Wood absolutely no chance.

Heap limped off a few minutes later to be replaced by Dan Queeley and Mossley came close on more than once occasion to adding to the score.

Mark Innes and Rob Flint replaced Lee Rick and Nick Swirad on 72 minutes to complete the allotted substitutions but Mossley were then hit by an injury to Cavell Coo which saw the Lilywhites reduced to ten men for the final fifteen minutes.

With Mossley collective foot now off the gas Ossett had the opportunity to force the issue and they scored a second goal four minutes from time when Marc Thompson curled a shot beyond Pearson's reach for a late consolation.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy