Despite taking a first minute lead for the second successive game Mossley fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat on Woodley's infamous 3G surface on what was a damp and drizzly Tuesday night.

Gareth McClelland made just one change to the starting line up from the previous game with Alex Byrne replacing the injured Ben McNamara and Mossley got off to a great start with barely a minute on the clock. Harry Noon charged down a clearance and played the ball wide left to Kayde Coppin, the Mossley winger then floated a cross-come-shot from fully thirty yards that left one time Mossley keeper Liam Higginbotham grasping at thin air.

Unfortunately, that was more or less it for Mossley as an attacking force as from the moment that Woodley found a 13th minute equaliser, John Marsden bundling home Maylett's low right wing cross, the home side were rarely troubled.

Woodley created several openings in a dominant first half that had Mossley chasing shadows for the most part, but fortunately for Mossley the home side's finishing didn't match their excellent approach play as Mossley were constantly forced onto the back foot.

Mossley have played counter-attack football on several occasions this season but on this night it just didn't work. Harry Noon left as a lonely front runner as the Mossley midfield and wide players failed to spark.

Mossley opened the second half in better form and closed down space quicker but still lacked ideas to break down Woodley's solid defence who were now protecting stand-in keeper Ben Richardson. The former Lilywhite had replaced the apparently injured Higginbotham between the sticks at the interval.

Nathan Neequaye replaced Noon on 54 minutes and he two shots in fairly quick succession. The first comfortably saved by Richardson and the second was slightly mis-timed and was volleyed well wide.

Woodley still carried the greater threat though and no-one could have been really surprised when they took the lead in the 73rd minute. Jack Dorney scoring from close range after a neat right wing move.

Nathan Taylor and Osebi Abadaki replaced the ineffective Rick and Heap but little improved as Mossley surrendered possession too often and Woodley attacked with good pace and movement.

The third goal came seven minutes from time when Byrne brought down substitute Stepien just inside the box and Dorney fired home a fine spot kick to condemn Mossley to a defeat that once Woodley had gone in front they never really looked like avoiding.

Report by Wizard

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