Mossley lost their first game of the season on Bank Holiday Monday in the local derby at Droylsden as the hosts claimed a 2-0 victory.

It could have been a very different story had Mossley taken even a percentage of the numerous chances they created in a dominant first half hour. That they didn't proved regrettable as the home side took their only two chances of the first half after the Lilywhites had squandered several opportunities and were also denied by some fine Richie Branagan saves.

Liam Ellis headed narrowly wide in the second minute and the same player's powerful drive was well gathered by Branagan moments later.

Mossley were playing some flowing football but decision making around the home box left something to be desired.

Droylsden were neat and tidy and very patient in possession. Happy to pass the ball about at the back before hitting long diagonal passes to try and get behind the Mossley defence. That looked a fruitless task until the 31st minute when Ciaran Kilheeney's raking pass found the giant frame of Dominic Smith who made no mistake with a smart close range finish.

Mossley continued to force the pace but were thwarted at every opportunity by a solid home back line and the Bloods doubled their advantage just before the break when Liam Caddick clipped the ball over the advancing Oliver Martin to tap home a soft goal.

It proved a mountain too big to climb for Mossley after the break as they huffed and puffed in attack and had the ball in the net when skipper Tom Dean powered home a header only to be flagged for what can only have been the narrowest of off-side decisions.

As Mossley pressed forward in search of a foothold they became susceptible to the counter attack and from one such instance Jamie McLellan pulled back a Droylsden attacker as he bore down on goal and the referee awarded the home side a penalty and proffered the unfortunate McLellan a straight red card. However the incident didn't lead to another goal as Mossley keeper Oliver Martin made a fine save diving to his left to keep out Kilheeney's well struck spot kick.

Droylsden had a couple of decent further chances to extend the lead but they were themselves wasteful and the game ended a 2-0.

Wiz

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