Mossley overcame a physical and direct Ossett Town side at Ingfield on Saturday to secure the points thanks to a well struck first half Lee Rick free kick.

The Lilywhites without the injured trio of Cavell Coo, Dave Young and Lewis Nightingale were good value for the victory and were the only side attempting to play football on what was a very poor surface.

Mossley, as has been the case on so many occasions this season, dominated the ball and weren't afraid to pass the ball around in Ossett's half straight from the off. However it was the home side who had the first two chances of the game. On both occasions James Eyles made a complete hash of it when in good positions.

As the half wore on Mossley became more dominant. Gary Gee tested Convey with a well struck free kick, Kayde Coppin fired narrowly wide and Chris Denham was unlucky with two fierce volleys, the second of which would have been a goal of the season contender as it came at the end of a brilliant attacking move.

Mossley scored what proved to be the game's only goal on 25 minutes. Adam mather went on a brilliant mazy run, jinking past several tackles only to be brought down on the edge of the box. Lee Rick stepped up and placed a fine shot underneath a defensive wall that jumped in unison leaving Convey rooted to his line as the ball found the corner of the net.

Mossley, playing with a high defensive line were rarely troubled as centre backs Gorton and Brown both had strong games despite the intimidating presence of the powerful Simon Baldry who was happy to 'put himself about' in challenges. Ossett's only chance of the half following their early misses saw Russ Saunders save well from Luke Sharry.

The second half opened with some early pressure by Ossett who constantly looked to hit early balls into the Mossley box but it proved ineffectual and Mossley switched to counter attacking mode. Sam Hind, who had worked the flank tirelessly in the first half, really came into his own after the break causing much consternation for his marker Anthony Lloyd who was given a torrid afternoon as Hind constantly probed and weaved down the left.

Mossley should have been awarded a penalty on 65 minutes when Denham, was clearly fouled. However, the referee deemed it a dive and promptly awarded the unfortunate Denham a yellow card. Two minutes later home captain Patterson was lucky to only see yellow after clearly stamping on Denham after first bringing him down.

Mossley had a great chance to secure the points with minutes to spare when substitute Sam Madeley broke clear only to blast narrowly over the bar when a little more composure would surely have been better rewarded.

Ossett piled forward in the closing moments in search of an equaliser but Mossley again defended well to see out the remaining minutes and secure a hard earned victory over a physical home side.

Report by Wizard