A strong wind and lady fortune favoured Mossley’s neighbours Glossop North End at Surrey Street on Easter Monday as the home side recorded a somewhat flattering 5-1 victory.

The heavy defeat was due to the rarity of three penalty awards to the same team, two mistakes and some, shall we say, ‘eccentric refereeing’. Not only that but the Lilywhites finished the game with nine men following two dismissals.

It all started well enough for Mossley as the visitors forced the early pace with Godwin Abadaki, making his first start for several weeks, giving the Hillmen defenders plenty to think about.

However, the first sign that it wouldn’t be Mossley’s day came as early as the 8th minute. A deep cross from the left was unnecessarily punched by Liam Flynn with the ball dropping perfectly for the League’s second top scorer Jamie Rainford to lash the loose ball home from the edge of the box.

Mossley responded with a series of raids but were rocked a second time on 30 minutes when Tom Dean needlessly brought down Kieran Lugsden and ex Mossley skipper Dave Young fired home from the spot.

It couldn’t get any worse, could it!? It did! Kyle McGonigle went into a 50/50 challenge with Glossop’s Kelvin Lugsden, both players missed the ball but kicked each other. Both players required treatment and Danny McDonnell and Glossop’s Sam Barnes were yellow carded for their reactions in the resultant melee. When the unlucky McGonigle returned to his feet he was shown a straight red card while the equally not guilty Glossop player was awarded a free kick with no further action.

Ten man Mossley continued to ask most of the questions and deservedly pulled a goal back shortly before the break. Mike Fish latched onto Dean’s long angled ball, Matty Russell’s attempted interception was desperately clawed out by keeper Andy Robertson onto defender Sam Barnes and the ball ricocheted into the net for an own goal
Mossley stayed in the game well into the second half and continued to attack with relish.

The next goal would be decisive and Mossley almost got it when substitute Dougie Carroll’s effort hit the bar with his first touch of the ball.

The third goal unfortunately went Glossop’s way 12 minutes from time when the Lilywhites back line was caught out by a clever through ball that found substitute Astley Mulholland who chipped the ball past the advancing Flynn for Rainford to force home at the far post.

As Mossley pushed more men forward the game became stretched and Mossley’s defence was breached again when Mark Reed went through only to be upended by Flynn and Rainford completed his hat-trick from the spot.

A third penalty was awarded to Glossop in the last minute. A long punt by Robertson saw Rainford through on goal from a suspiciously off-side position and when Flynn upended him inside the box the referee brandished a red card and the hapless Mossley keeper was sent off.

Reed converted from the spot despite the best efforts of stand in keeper Mike Fish and the Lilywhites miserable day was completed in the harshest manner.

Wiz

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