In horrendous weather conditions Mossley raced into an early three goal lead and then experienced a defensive collapse which saw hosts 1874 Northwich hit seven goals without reply to inflict the Lilywhites sixth successive and heaviest defeat of the season.
Had anyone left the ground 20 minutes in, they would have considered the result a foregone conclusion as the home side barely had a kick as Mossley steamrollered forward - scoring three goals, closing down space and denying Northwich any meaningful possession.
However, had they stayed to witness the 70 minutes that followed they would have watched an entirely different match as Northwich counter attacked with relish, forcing an endless number of mistakes and missed tackles by a Mossley side who's defensive confidence ebbed massively as the half and game wore on and the ball found the Mossley net seven times without reply in one of the most bizarre games I have ever witnessed.
It all started out so well for Mossley. With first use of the sloping pitch and with the wind and rain at their backs Mossley set about the home side with relish and a dominant start saw the opening goal arrive in 10th minute when Harry Pratt fired home after Mason Fawns' had his initial effort blocked.
Three minutes later it was 2-0 as Fawns curling free kick came back off a post and Devon Matthews was in the right place to fire home from close range.
On 20 minutes Mossley had their third when Jack Banister danced around a static defence to put Mossley seemingly in total control.
What happened next however, beggars belief. On 25 minutes a counter attack down Mossley's right flank saw the ball crossed for Jake Parker to slot a 20 yard shot past Hadlow to make it 3-1.
Two minutes later it was 3-2 as 1874 right back Michael Koral raced forward to score as Hadlow might have done better to close down the angle.
Mossley had a great chance to extend the lead when Levi Phillips raced clear but he chose to play what proved to be a poor pass across to Fawns when he might have taken the shot himself and the chance was gone.
It was the homesters with their tails up though and in the 37th minute they found themselves level. Kain Dean's rash challenge on Joe Woolley saw the referee award a penalty and Matt Woolley gave Hadlow no chance from the spot.
The half ended with 1874 having completely turned the game around as MacKenzie O'Neill capitalized as Mossley surrendered possession to make the half time score 4-3 to 1874 Northwich.
Clearly unhappy at proceedings Mossley boss David Fish made two half time changes as Jordan Butterworth replaced Phillips and Ben Richardson, back from his spell at New Mills replacing Sam Kilner.
Mossley obviously needed to score the next goal but it was the home side that did and it took only three minutes of the half to do so as Lucas Weir fired home to make it 5-3 after Mossley had again surrendered possession too easily.
5-3 became 6-3 on 61 minutes as Mossley were again opened up too easily and MacKenzie O'Neill found the finishing touch for his brace.
The scoring was completed with 18 minutes remaining as Jake Parker bagged his second of the game with the Mossley defence again in tatters.
Mossley continued to try to push forward to reduce the arrears but it was all in vain as the rain and wind whipped over the Townfield ground and the 225 fans who had braved the elements departed for drier places having witnessed what could best be described as a freakish score-line but one that Mossley will quickly need to address before the bright start to the season that the Lilywhites made becomes a distant memory.
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