Mossley opened the new year with a hard earned 2-1 victory over a dogged and determined Ossett Town side at Seel Park on Saturday.

Mossley made a couple of changes from the previous game with Kyle McGonigle returning from suspension and a first start given to recent addition Scott Cheetham with Mike Fish and Lee Wilshaw dropping to the bench.

Mossley got off to a great start and after forcing three early corners opened the scoring in the 4th minute. Cheetham’s right wing corner found it’s way to Tom Dean and the big defender found half a yard to get his shot away which beat Ossett keeper Backhouse at his right hand post.

Mossley went on to dominate the half but were given a scare when Rupere burst through a gap and brought a fine block save from Liam Flynn.

Dave Short was then denied by a Backhouse save and John Bennett saw his rasping 25 yard half volley well turned away by the Ossett keeper.

Mossley’s first half pressure finally paid off five minutes before the break thanks to stunning Tom Pratt effort. Receiving a short pass from John Bennett he got his head up and curled a fantastic twenty-five yard effort into the far top corner of the net for a superb ’goal of the season’ contender.

Mossley looked to extend the lead after the break and Dave Short was unlucky to have his headed goal chalked off for off-side.

However, Ossett were given a lifeline ten minutes into the second period when two visitors substitutes combined a half the deficit. Cameron Lyn’s mazy dribble saw his pass find Roy Fogarty who turned well in the box to poke the ball beyond Flynn’s reach.

From being outplayed for most of the game, the visitors suddenly fancied their chances of a shock comeback as Flynn was again called into action to save Rupere’s effort.

At the other end Godwin Abadaki saw his downward header scrambled over the bar by Backhouse as Mossley enjoyed another spell of pressure.

Mossley survived a late scare when Hawksworth saw his effort cleared off the line by a brilliant sliding clearance from Michael Thomas with Ossett players claiming the ball had crossed the line and the Lilywhites goal remained in tact to claim the points and good start to the new year.

Wiz

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