With a quickly improving Ossett Albion fighting for their Evo-stik League life at the bottom of the table and 35 to 40 mph wind blowing across a tacky Seel Park pitch this was never going to be an easy game for Mossley, and so it proved, as the Lilywhites recovered a half time deficit to take maximum points with a hard earned 3-2 victory.
With first use of the fierce wind, Mossley failed to take advantage, despite looking well in control of the game.

Chances were few. Richard Bennett flashed two headers narrowly wide, Danny McDonnell fired wide from a good position as did Lewis Nightingale before the Lilywhites took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute. Good work by Nightingale and Bennett found Brian Matthews lurking on the edge of the box. Matthews took a touch to open up the space and slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner beyond the reach of Ossett’s on loan Rotherham United goalkeeper Thompson.

Mossley looked to be in cruise control but were then hit by a double whammy within the next ten minutes. In the 29th minute a tricky run by winger David Brown forced a save from Thewlis and when Mossley didn’t clear their lines ex Farsley forward Adam Muller fired home through a crowded box to equalise.

Worse was to follow for the Lilywhites as three minutes later another Ossett corner saw Henson go down appealing for a push that referee Mr Nield harshly acknowledged and Brown slotted home from the spot to give the visitors a shock lead.

Referee Nield left the field five minutes later having injured himself whilst taking a tumble and assistant Mr Knowles replaced him in the middle with a spectator standing in as assistant for the remainder of the game.

Kyle McGonigle replaced Simon Gallanders at the break and Mossley, despite now playing into the increasingly strong wind, took control of the midfield.

The Lilywhites stepped up the pressure and after hitting the post in a goalmouth scramble the home side soon had their reward. Tom Pratt raced into the box and was brought down by Schofield. Matthews stepped up to rifle home the spot kick.

Mossley now went in search of a winner and it duly arrived in the 73rd minute with a wonderfully high quality goal. Lewis Nightingale slotted a precision ball through on the right for the advancing Tom Pratt who’s first time cross was powerfully headed home at the far post by a gleeful Richard Bennett.

Pratt, who’s enjoyed an excellent second half, almost added a fourth goal moments later but his effort flashed just past the post.

At the other end Thewlis made a fantastic save to deny Schofield’s powerfully driven free kick and Mossley survived a late scare when Thewlis was again in action to deny the visitors.

The game ended with a fracas after Schofield had flattened Pratt near the corner flag but the substitute referee blew for time without taking any further action.

Report by Wizard

Brian Matthews

Richard Bennett