Player/Manager Steve Halford got exactly the response he was looking for from his Mossley team at Farsley on Saturday, following the terrible disappointment of the previous week's FA Cup defeat, as the side rose to the occasion to deservedly crush much fancied Farsley 4-0 on their own meadow.

It was a powerful and relentless performance by the Orange clad Lilywhites, who, to a man gave their all to secure what is a very impressive result against a side hotly tipped to do very well this season.

Midfield powerhouse Jay Gorton returned to the side after missing the cup defeat and he gave an outstanding man of the match display as he, Chris Rowney and Gary Gee bossed the midfield throughout while Cavell Coo and debutant Adam Mather tirelessly worked the flanks.

With the wind at their backs Farsley pressed early on and forced a couple of corners as Mossley struggled to make headway against the stiff breeze. However, after weathering the early Farsley storm, which included a fine save by Martin Pearson to deny Adam Muller, the Lilywhites burst to life with Sam Hind and Kayde Coppin giving tireless displays up front. Hind in particular again proved himself a willing chaser of lost causes which meant the Farsley defence were unable to settle on the ball and were forced to go long, therefore playing into Mossley's hands as the boys in orange at the back comfortably kept the home side at bay.

Mossley now started to look a force in attack as good runs by Hind, Coo and Coppin caused consternation and Jay Gorton hit a 25 yard screamer that thundered off the right hand post with the keeper well beaten.

Mossley deserved their lead when it came on 24 minutes as Hind hit a low cross shot from the right that foxed the home defence and new boy Adam Mather popped up at the far post to poach the opener from close range.

Clearly rattled by the visitors high work-rate, farsley struggled to find a way back into the game as Mossley began to look more and more confident in their approach play and they could have few complaints when the lead was doubled on 40 minutes as Chris Rowney popped up in the six yard box to score when the home side failed to clear a ball in from right.

Farsley no doubt felt their manager's wrath at half time but it failed to rally the troops in his favour and within three minutes of the restart Mossley had a three goal cushion. A Farsley defender mistimed his header and the ball went out for a Mossley corner on the left. Mather's corner kick was flapped at by keeper Guildford and Steve Halford powered in to head home from close range.

Farsley tried everything, including a triple substitution but were unable to break Mossley down, though they came close when Chris Rowney cleared a 20 yard shot off the line following a Farsley set piece.

Mossley rounded off a great afternoon for the traveling fans eight minutes from time when substitute Ben Richardson turned the ball home from close range after Jay Gorton had burst into the box on the right.

With nine points from three League games Mossley are up amongst the leaders and will look to maintain that form with home games against Clitheroe and Goole coming up in the next seven days.

Report by Wizard