Mossley finally put their miserable FA Cup record of recent seasons behind them as they clinically beat Northern Counties East league leaders Hemsworth Miners Welfare at Seel Park on Saturday.

Despite being without several key players and with 18 years old rookie central defender Logan Jeffs making his debut it is Mossley who go through to the next round following an emphatic 4-0 victory.

It was Hemsworth who came out of the traps the quickest and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Bill Law’s close range effort slammed against the Mossley bar. Liam Flynn then came to Mossley’s rescue a few minutes later when he blocked Nash Connolly’s effort.

Mossley lost Ryan Barrow through injury after only 12 minutes with Callum Warburton replacing him and John Bennett switching to left back.

Hemsworth were enjoying the lions share of possession but created precious few scoring chances beyond the early flourish.

Mossley, somewhat against the run of play took the lead on 14 minutes Mike Fish had his first shot saved but Hemsworth keeper Sam Leigh spilled the ball and Fish reacted quickest to the loose ball and guided the ball into the far corner of the net.

The goal settled Mossley down somewhat and despite Hemsworth still having plenty of the ball it was the Lilywhites who looked the more threatening.

Mossley doubled the advantage on 20 minutes when a fine through ball by Fish sent Dougie Carroll scampering through to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.
Mossley kept the lively visitors comfortably at bay for the remainder of the half with Flynn and his defenders coping well with everything Hemsworth could throw at them.

With the strengthening wind now at their backs Hemsworth pressed forward again in the second half and Mossley survived a couple of goal-mouth scrambles as the visitors tried desperately to find a way back into the game. However, the bulk of the second half goalmouth action came in the last few minutes and it was Mossley who eventually ran away with it.

A forceful run by Damase Kiwanda saw the speedy wide man brought down just outside the box and Kyle McGonigle fired home a trademark free kick that left Leigh rooted to his line.

Heavy Mossley pressure followed as Hemsworth heads dropped and Leigh was in action to deny Fish and substitute Omar McKenzie. Mossley won a succession of corners and the pressure finally told in the dying seconds when Bennett’s right wing corner was well headed home by Mike Fish.

Wiz

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