This was a disastrous home performance by Mossley who failed to create anything of note in the final third of the field in the entire ninety minutes against big spending Woodley Sports at Seel Park on Saturday.

It wasn't that Woodley were anything special on the day, in fact far from it, but they did win the midfield battle without too much difficulty and were solid enough at the back to cope comfortably with anything Mossley could muster.

Salt was rubbed into Mossley's wounds in the closing minutes of the game. With Lee Rick injured just before half time and all three substitutes used Mossley entered the final ten minutes of the game with only nine fit players on the field following further injuries to skipper Peter Band and fellow central defender Steve Halford. The chasm that then opened in the Lilywhites defence allowed Woodley to add three further goals in the final five minutes give Woodley a deserved but flattering winning margin.

Ex Chorley striker Jordan Stepian had given Woodley a 9th minute lead and it was a lead that was rarely threatened by the punchless Lilywhites. With Kayde Coppin as Mossley's best chance of an outlet being double marked space was denied him to build anything while Scott Hogan was well marshalled on the other flank in a completely lacklustre first half.

Mossley replaced the injured Lee Rick and the out of sorts Scott Barlow at the interval with Mark Innes and debutant Sam Halligan as their replacements and Mossley's best period came in the opening twenty minutes of the second half with Harry Noon coming closest with a back post drive that hit hit the outside of the post.

As the half wore on Woodley regained control and following Tom Ingham replacing the ineffective Tom Murray with fifteen minutes remaining Mossley were then hit by injuries to Band and Halford that left the defence wide open for Woodley to capitalize on the extra space. The visitors then added three tap in goals in the closing minutes through Dorney, Haslam and Shannon to rub salt into Mossley's already festering wounds.

Report by Wizard

pics by Smiffy