Mossley returned to winning form with a convincing and thoroughly deserved 3-0 victory at a wet and windy Giant Axe on Saturday.

The Lilywhites took control from the off and never loosened their grip throughout the 90 minutes.

Mossley were bereft of the suspended Andy Keogh with Godwin Abadaki making his first League start for the team.

It was the lively Abadaki who was the first to threaten the Lancaster defence and after he was hacked down outside the box by Mercer.

Skipper Kyle McGonigle stepped up to rifle home a trademark high power daisy cutter of a free kick from 20 yards.

The home side struggled to cope with Mossley’s attacking movement and Dave Short had his effort ruled out for a debatable off-side.

Home keeper Mike Hale then did well to deny Sam Robinson’s drive as Mossley sought to increase their lead.

Lancaster were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time when Russell was dismissed after taking a dive in the box having already been cautioned for an earlier foul.

Mossley started the second half in dominant mood and were rewarded on 51 minutes. A flowing six man move was finished by Tom Dean who’s shot from the from the edge of the box was deflected past the stranded Hale to double Mossley’s advantage.

Five minutes later, Lancaster had the chance to get themselves back in the game. Zach Clark burst into the Mossley box and Michael Thomas was adjudged to have fouled him while trying to block his shot. The referee awarded Lancaster a penalty and evened the sides up by dismissing Thomas.

Ryan Winder took the spot kick but Liam Flynn guessed correctly and made a fine save to deny the home side a comeback.

The result was confirmed on 66 minutes when substitute Tom Pratt was upended in the box by Gavin Clark and Kyle McGonigle stepped up to hammer home from the spot.

The one disappointing thing about the game was the number of cards shown. In what was far from a rough game referee Mr Price showed a less than common sense approach as he brandished a total of ten yellow cards and two reds which left both clubs frustrated with his and his assistants performance.

What the Mossley management can be pleased about however, is how the team reacted to the recent defeats by Burscough and Northwich. Lancaster has rarely been a happy hunting ground for Mossley, the Lilywhites not having won at the Giant Axe since 2007, but on this occasion Mossley showed excellent form and were fully deserving of what was in the end a comfortable victory.

Wiz

Kyle McGonigle scores Mossley's third from the spot
pic by Stuart Webber