Mossley gave another strong performance to win 2-1 at NPL Premier Division neighbours Hyde United in the final qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy at Ewen Fields on Saturday.
With a large and loud away following amongst the 600+ attendance, the stage was set for a classic cup tie. The game itself didn't quite live up to that billing, but, the passion, commitment and sheer determination to get the right result shone through in the Mossley ranks and the win was fully merited.
There was very little goalmouth action in the first half as the ball seemed to spend more time in the air instead of on the plush carpet that is Hyde's artificial surface.
Fawns had a penalty appeal waved away, Levi Phillips had a shot saved by Hyde keeper Green and Jordan Butterworth fired over the bar for Mossley. At the other end Jordan Hadlow was barely troubled as Hyde came up against a solid Mossley back-line, though on the stroke of half time Liam Tongue saw his free kick come back off the post as the home side finished the half strongly.
Mossley started to get the ball down and play as the second half began and quickly won a left wing corner. Fawns' flag kick saw Andy Keogh stoop to flick on a header and Declan Evans was in the right place to smash the ball into the roof of the net from close range to edge the Lilywhites in front.
Hyde responded as Tongue had a shot blocked and former Mossley star Tom Pratt headed over the bar before, on 53 minutes, Hyde fashioned an equaliser. Krisel Prifti's well struck shot from 20 yards squeezed past Hadlow at his near post.
Hyde enjoyed their best spell of pressure with Tom Pratt again going close but Hadlow was equal to it and Mossley soon started to take charge again.
Jack Banister replaced Phillips and was soon in action but no-one could get on the end of his superb cross. Pratt fired over after he had, not for the first time or last, out muscled his marker. The next time he did that it led to the winning goal. The goal when it came on 69 minutes began with Hadlow distributing to Kain Dean on the left . Dean curled a pass down the line to Fawns who superbly played the ball into Harry Pratt's path. The big number nine controlled with his right foot and then instantly volleyed past the helpless Green from just inside the Hyde box for a great match winning finish.
Thereafter, Banister had an effort saved by Green and Hyde forced a couple of corners but never really looked like they might find another equaliser and the final whistle sounded to a massive roar from the noisy Mossley fans as the Lilywhites saw off higher division opposition to win through to the next round.
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