Mossley returned to winning ways with what was in the end an emphatic win over old rivals Radcliffe Borough at Seel Park on Saturday.

Wayne Welbeck started up front in preference to Dougie Carroll and the mobile striker had a super game. Welbeck along with strike partner Richard Bennett proved to be a thorn in Radcliffe’s side throughout what was a pretty one sided encounter.

After a bright opening, which saw Mossley pass the ball around with control and not little flair suddenly found themselves behind in only the 6th minute. Radcliffe’s first attack saw on loan Fleetwood Town striker Aden Wainwright curl a ‘worldy’ beyond Chris Thewlis’ reach from 20 yards in only the 6th minute.

The visitors shock lead lasted only two minutes. Mossley won a throw in on the left and when the ball was played into the box Wayne Welbeck was on hand to finish well from eight yards.

From that moment on Mossley controlled the game. Nightingale saw his close range header somehow flipped against the bar by Boro keeper Cheetham who recovered to claim the rebound as the ball came down on the line. Kyle McGonigle had an effort cleared off the line and Nightingale fired inches wide as Boro’s goal lived a charmed life.

The second half saw more of the same as Mossley upped the pressure but the breakthrough wouldn’t come.

Mossley were awarded a penalty on 53 minutes when Nightingale was dragged down by Mullineux. With regular penalty taker Carroll still warming the bench, Nightingale took responsibility but his weak spot kick was easily saved by Cheetham and the ball was scrambled to safety.

Nightingale then fired wide after great work on the right by the impressive Welbeck, Tom Pratt dragged a shot wide and Nightingale again fired wide when well placed.

The pressure continued to mount with Boro completely stuck in their own half but the goal simply wouldn’t come. That was until a moment of magic in the 78th minute. Mossley won a corner on the right and the ball was cleared only as far as Dean Warburton some thirty yards from goal. The Mossley midfield dynamo blasted a superb drive that flew into the roof of the net giving Cheetham no chance, much to Mossley’s joy and relief that the pressure had finally found reward.

Radcliffe, having been completely outplayed, looked a beaten side and made little effort to claw something back and when substitute Dougie Carroll won a dead ball line challenge with Bevan Burey, the Boro left back fouled him and Mossley’s top scorer maintained his 100% record from the spot as he rifled home his 5th penalty and 14th goal of the season to give the score-line a better reflection of a convincing Mossley display.

Report by Wizard

Wayne Welbeck

Dean Warburton

Dougie Carroll