MOSSLEY THROUGH TO SEMIS

ROBINSONS BREWEY MANCHESTER FA PREMIER CUP
QUARTER FINAL
Wednesday 20th November 2013 @ Seel Park, Mossley - Att: 101

Mossley

Abbey Hey

(0) 2
(1) 1
Humphreys (67), Marley (75)
T.Murray (34)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Ryan Marley
1
Russ Saunders (c)
1
Ross Heywood
2
Ryan Marley
1
2
Jamie Allen
3
Charlie Anderson
withdrawn (66)
3
Scott Cheetham
4
Kevin McGrath
4
Kieron Burtwood
5
John Bennett
5
Matthew Harrop
6
Simon Gallanders
6
Des Flanagan (c)
7
Dean Warburton
7
Liam Murray
withdrawn (64)
8
James Lawrence-Forbes
8
Scott Hardy
9
Wayne Welbeck
9
Sam Jones
withdrawn (78)
10
Ryan Humpreys
withdrawn (73)
1
10
Tom Murray
1
11
Danny Broadbent
withdrawn (66)
11
John Hardy
 
12
Andy Keogh
not used
 
12
Josh Morrell
not used
14
Dougie Carroll
for Humphreys (73)
 
14
Justin Pickering
for L.Murray (64)
15
Tom Pratt
for Broadbent (66)
 
15
Sam Riley
not used
-
16
Luke McCarthy
for Anderson (66)
16
Wes Harney
for Jones (78)
-
17
 
17
Jon McIlwaine
not used
-
Referee: J. Wilson


Holders Mossley made progress to the semi finals of this season's Robinsons Brewery Manchester FA Premier Cup, despite an able challenge from the Lilywhites North West Counties League neighbours Abbey Hey.

The Mossley team showed six changes from the side that won at Padiham on Saturday. The changes in personnel, which saw starting debuts for winger James Lawrence-Forbes and striker Ryan Humphreys, also saw the Lilywhites employ a different system lining up in a somewhat surprising 3-4-1-2 formation. However, it wasn't until the side switched to a standard 4-4-2 with the 66th minute introduction of wingers Tom Pratt and Luke MCarthy that they finally took a grip on the match.

The game was played in wet conditions with a strong wind in Abbey's favour in the first half. Surprisingly though, with the elements in their favour, the visitors played with numbers behind the ball allowing Mossley's back three plenty of possession, but attempts to move play forward were closed down quickly, with the visitors looking to counter attack at high tempo.

The lively Wayne Welbeck came closest to scoring with one of Mossley's few first half chances but his header from Lawrence-Fotbes right wing cross just grazed the post. Russ Saunders was the busier of the keepers making good saves to deny Liam Murray and former Mossley youth team centre forward Sam Jones.

Despite the visitors impressive start, It was still a shock when they took a 34th minute lead. A channeled ball down the right fell to one time Mossley signing Tom Murray who made no mistake firing into the far corner from ten yards.

With the wind and rain now in their favour Mossley looked to find an equaliser after the break but attacks were too easily broken down and Abbey defended confidently and resolutely, but the visitors attacks became more infrequent, though in one increasingly rare raid Saunders did well to tip over a rasping Des Flanagan drive.

The double substitution that saw Pratt and McCarthy replace Charlie Anderson and Danny Broadbent was to change the game instantly and dramatically. Pratt's first involvement was to burn past his marker Jamie Allen on the left wing and fire across low and hard where debutant Ryan Humphreys touched the ball past Abbey keeper Ross Heywood rom close range.

The game was, from then on, compressed in the Abbey Hey half as Mossley began to totally dominate the ball. The pressure finally telling in the 75th minute. Mossley won a left wing corner. Tom Pratt fired in a great cross that centre back Ryan Marley met with a powerful header which gave Heywood no chance..

The hard working Welbeck went close with another header as Mossley looked to wrap the game up, but a third goal proved unnecessary, despite Abbey's best efforts to try and force the issue in the closing stages. Mossley comfortably played out time to earn a place in the semi finals as the Lilywhites seek to retain the trophy for a third successive year.

Report by Wizard


Ryan Humphreys

Ryan Marley