A clinical first half performance saw a rejuvenated Mossley storm to a fully deserved 4-0 victory at promotioin hopefuls Colwyn Bay.

The Lilywhites were boosted by the long awaited return to the side of Caldon Henson after eight months on the injury sidelines while a debut was given to new striker signing Darrhyl Mason snapped up from Atherton Collieries last week.

An even end to end opening period was played at a good tempo and after close calls at both ends it was Mossley broke the deadlock on 12 minutes. New boy Mason showed great pace and determination when racing into the box only to be clearly upended by Matt Regan and Mike Fish stepped up to confidently rap home from the penalty spot.

Seven minutes later and Mossley were truly in the ascendancy. Tom Pratt sent Darrhyl Mason clear and he was rewarded with a debut goal as he sped past keeper Wills to slot home from a narrow angle.

The Lilywhites were in control and they extended their grip on the game on 34 minutes. Matty Burke’s left wing set piece found it’s way to Mike Fish at the far post and he fired through the legs of a goal-line defender to give Mossley a well earned three goal cushion.

The shell shocked home, side who had confirmed Phil Hadland as their new manager this week after a spell in temporary charge, finally created something more meaningful as Armstrong saw his header cleared off the line by Jeffs and Bulmer got down well to tip Gahgan’s low drive round his left-hand post.

If Colwyn Bay were going stage a comeback they needed to score the first goal of the second half but instead it was Mossley who put the game and result to bed just three minutes after the restart. Pratt was again the provider when he slipped the ball through to Mike Fish who beat keeper Wills at the second attempt to complete his third hat-trick and the 21st goal of a so far prolific season.

Fish might have had a fourth but his first time volley flew wide of the post before Colwyn Bay were reduced to ten men on the hour mark when striker Rob Doran was red-carded after an altercation with one of his own team-mates to add to the home side’s growing misery.

Bulmer made a fine save to deny Corrigan’s powerful shot while Logan Jeffs again cleared off the line in a goal mouth scramble as Mossley set about successfully maintaining a clean sheet which they achieved with relative comfort for what was an excellent away victory at a side with promotion ambitions.

Wiz