Mossley returned to winning ways on Saturday with a hard working and impressive victory at play off chasing rivals Farsley Celtic.

The Lilywhites created the majority of chances throughout the encounter to deservedly secure maximum points.

It was a game both sides simply had to win to stay in touch with the other play off chasers, but in honesty it was a game that Mossley never looked like losing.

The defensive mistakes which have cost points in recent fixtures were nowhere to be seen as the Lilywhites defended solidly throughout.

Mossley opened brightly and were denied more than once by the acrobatics of Farsley keeper Tom Taylor.

Mossley took the lead on 17 minutes. Sam Robinson burst into the box from the right. His shot was parried by Taylor but Robinson was able to regain possession and he squared the ball to Andy Keogh who’s miss-hit effort was turned into the net from close range by Tom Pratt.

The lead lasted only four minutes though as Farsley’s best move of the match saw Leon Osborne play a neat one-two with ex Mossley man Lewis Nightingale. The lively Osborne placing a neat shot into the far corner. It was Farsley’s only effort on target all afternoon.

Mossley responded and Robinson was again denied by Taylor as he raced through a gap.
Taylor then excelled himself again with a fine double save to deny John Bennett and Andy Keogh as Mossley finished the half in the ascendancy.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Mossley closing down space quickly to prevent Farsley finding the usual fluid passing game whilst also being a constant threat to a labouring Farsley defence.

Mossley had a penalty claim waved away when Pratt was clearly fouled by Aaron Hardy but eventually won a spot kick on 78 minutes.

Substitute Mike Fish raced through a gap only to be upended by Taylor as he attempted to round him. Taylor was fortunate to only receive a yellow card and Kyle McGonigle stepped up to blast home from the spot.

The expected reaction by Farsley never materialised and Mossley should have been awarded another penalty five minutes later when Godwin Abadaki raced through on goal only to be brought down at least two yards inside the box by Paddy Miller. Miller was shown a straight red card but amazingly a free kick was awarded outside the box and Taylor again did well to keep out McGoinigle’s fiercely struck free kick.

Farsley provided one final flurry and won a last minute corner, but the Mossley defence again excelled to clear the danger and the victory was sealed.

Wiz

Peter Gray Photos
Kyle McGonigle fires home the winning goal from the penalty spot.