2003-04ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE!
Mossley 2 Ramsbottom United 2
Mossley almost but not quite blew the League title today despite outplaying visitors Ramsbottom for long periods of the game. Fortunate for Mossley that Clitheroe lost their penultimate game this afternoon going down 1-0 at home to Newcastle. Clitheroe now need at least a draw from their final fixture at Nantwich Town next Saturday. Mossley opened very brightly and looked capable of over-running the visitors with Josh Howard and Adam Morning finding lots of room on the flanks. Unfortunetaly Mossley found the linesmans flag raised on too many occasions and struggled to find the breakthrough. Mossley drew first blood in the 8th minute when Matty Taylor's through ball found Rhodri Giggs who rounded the keeper to score from an improbable angle on the right. Mossley were dominant but Giggs and Steve Tobin shot straight at the keeper and several other chances flashed wide before Lee Buggie rocked Mossley on 13 minutes when he rifled home after Swailes had attacked the area where the injured and off the pitch Matty Taylor had just vacated. Mossley continued to dominate and Giggs had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside when it looked unlikely that it was but deservedly regained the lead a minute before the break when Mark Phillips headed home Morning's right wing corner. The second half was equally one way traffic but Mossley were a little too comfortable and a tendancy to overplay was finally fatal as Mark Phillips stumbled in possession in the 72nd minute and Matty Swailes beat Melville in a one on one to level the scores in the most unlikely manner! Leon Mike fired home a 25 yard free kick only to be penalised as the referee had raised his arm foir an indirect free kick and Mossley couldn't find another way through as Eatock saved brilliantly to deny Howard and Mike looked to be dragged back as he bore down on goal about to shoot. Missed chances and some impertinent time wasting by the visitors inevitably cost Mossley victory and now it goes right to the wire!
Team:
1. Phil Melville (6)
2. Matty Taylor (6)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Dave Brown (7) Y
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Mark Phillips (7)
7. Adam Morning (6)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Rhodri Giggs (8*)
10. Leon Mike (8)
11. Josh Howard (7)
Subs:
12. Shaun Dootson (7) (for Tobin 84 mins)
14. Chris Downey (7) (for Morning 67 mins)
15. Leyton Slack (6) (for Howard 84 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Rhodri Giggs...worked his socks off leading the line again!
Verdict: I can't hold my breath this long....!ONE IS JUST ENOUGH!
Glossop North End 0 Mossley 1
Mossley had a second half own goal to thank for victory in today's enforced replay at Surrey Street in a largely one-sided game. Missed chances and excellent goalkeeping kept Mossley at bay as wave after wave of Mossley attacks came on an almost impossible playing surface. Giggs, Mike, Morning, Tobin, Meadowcroft and Matty Taylor all came desperately close to opening the scoring while at the other end Glossop created two good chances but Phil Melville was in no mood to be beaten on this day.
If the first half was mostly one way traffic the second half saw Mossley's domination complete and it seemed only a matter of time when the goal would come, but Glossop custodian Williams was excelling again as Mossley laid siege to the home sides goal. The inevitable winner finally arrived in the 72nd minute. A great move down the left involving Morning, Tobin, Mike and Downey saw the ball arrive to Rhodri Giggs at the far post and his misplaced header caught out defender Andy Sherlock who inadvertently blasted the ball into his own net from close range to the great joy and relief of the typically large contingent of Mossley supporters. Mossley held what they had with ease through to the final whistle with Glossop's threat totally nullified by Mossley's commanding defence.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (8)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Danny Meadowcroft (8)
4. Dave Brown (8)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Mark Phillips (8)
7. Adam Morning (8)
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Rhodri Giggs (9*)
10. Leon Mike (8)
11. Simon Heaton (8)
Subs:
12. Chris Downey (8) (for Heaton 60 mins)
14. Russ Headley (not used)
15. John Murphy (not used)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Rhodri Giggs...worked his socks off leading the line!
Verdict: One game to go and we can still win the title!
MOSSLEY THRASH SALFORD!
Salford City 1 Mossley 5
Mossley had just too much class for a very average Salford side at Moor Lane this afternoon and did their goal difference another power of good with a five goal haul. Mossley were the better side throughout and they came close on several occasions before taking a fully deserved lead in the 29th minute. Adam Morning's pin-point corner from the left was powerfully headed home by Steve Sheil who arrived determinedly at the near post. Seven minutes later Mossley doubled the advantage and ended the game as a contest as Rhodri Giggs and Josh Howard worked a great move down the right and the latter crossed low from the dead ball line for Adam Morning to lash home from six yards. Three minutes after the interval Mossley added a third when Leon Mike caught a defender in possession 25 yards out and took his tally for the season to 19 with a crisp shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. A minute later Salford surprisingly reduced the arrears when Melville got in a tangle when attempting to fly kick clear on the right of the penalty area and the ball was crossed too close to goal to prevent Mark Phillips from unluckily helping the ball into his own net while attempting to clear. Salford's spirits were lifted for a spell and they enjoyed their first period of prolonged possession but Paul Taylor and Phillips were not for budging and Salford could create little. When Mossley did venture forward they looked like scoring with every attack and it was no surprise when a fourth was added in the 71st minute when Giggs, despite slipping, somehow managed to set up Dave Brown for a close range strike. The scoring, on a comfortable afternoon for Mossley, was completed four minutes later when Morning's right wing corner was powerfully headed home at the near post by substitute Chris Downey for a goal that perfectly mirrored the game's opener.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (5)
2. Matty Taylor (7)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Dave Brown (7)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Mark Phillips (8)
7. Adam Morning (8)
8. Steve Tobin (9*)
9. Rhodri Giggs (7)
10. Leon Mike (8)
11. Josh Howard (7)
Subs:
12. Shaun Dootson (7) (for Brown 71 mins)
14. Chris Downey (7) (for L.Mike 64 mins)
15. Simon Heaton (8) (for Howard 45 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Steve Tobin...seriously back on form and ran the show in midfield!
Verdict: Almost too easy!!!IT COULD HAVE BEEN TWENTY!!
Mossley 6 Atherton Collieries 2
Mossley missed enough chances to have won 10 games tonight as they opened up bottom club Atherton Colieries fragile defence at will, but proceded to miss countless chances in a thoroughly one sided game that from Mossley's point of view was only marred by two glaring goalkeeping errors. Leon Mike completed a hat-trick and scored Mossley's 100th League goal of the season with his third, while Mark Phillips made a surprise return to the side in place of Stockport County teenager Danny Meadowcroft. The writing was on the wall as early as 20 seconds when Rhodri Giggs missed the chance to give Mossley possibly the fastest goal of the season following a flowing move that saw him blaze over the bar from only a yard out. Mossley were rocked however, when, in their first attack the visitors took a shock lead. One time Mossley trialist Andy Bridge fired home after Phil Melville had punched short from a right wing cross. This in only the 2nd minute. Mossley poured forward almost unopposed and created chance after chance, but, Josh Howard in particular had left his scoring boots at home and although being a creative influence throughout, had decent opportunities to score on at least five occasions but each time found the keeper in the way with some tame shooting. Mossley finally earned their long overdue equaliser in the 32nd minute when Leon Mike did well to hold the ball up, despite slipping, and wriggled free on the left to cross for Rhodri Giggs to make up for his earlier miss with a flashing header that gave Osbourne no chance. That the scores remained locked at 1-1 at the interval was as much due to Mossley's tendancy to overplay in Collieries box as with the lowly visitors increasingly shaky defending. The Lilywhites finally edged in front eight minutes after the break when Steve Tobin and Adam Morning were involved and March 'Player of the Month' Steve Sheil, who had stayed up from a corner, drove home through a crowded box from 15 yards. There was only going to be one winner from thereon as Mossley continued to carve open Colls back line and Leon Mike made it 3-1 two minutes later as he received the ball 40 yards from goal, turned on a sixpence and sped away from the covering defenders before slotting home an excellent goal. Moments later Colls lost goalkeeper Osbourne on a stretcher with a leg injury after he had over-committed himself preventing Giggs from breaking through and midfielder Mark Denham went in goal. Denham excelled with a couple of saves, particularly with a spectacular dive to deny Leon Mike a second. That moment was to arrive in the 69th minute though, when he rifled home after Colls had failed to clear their lines. Colls reduced the arrears when team captain Mark Isherwood curled home a free kick from 20 yards on the left with Melville's positioning letting him down. The ever dangerous Leon Mike completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute, superbly finishing Tobin's low left wing cross and was substituted moments later to great applause for his goalscoring feats and his replacement Chris Downey was soon in the action having an effort hit the side netting before scoring Mossley's sixth and final goal four minutes from time when he hammered the ball home from 20 yards after Dave Brown had set him up with a great pass.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (6)
2. Matty Taylor (6)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Dave Brown (7)
5. Paul Taylor (7)
6. Mark Phillips (7)
7. Adam Morning (7)
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Rhodri Giggs (8)
10. Leon Mike (9*)
11. Josh Howard (7)
Subs:
12. Shaun Dootson (5) (for M.Taylor 73 mins)
14. Chris Downey (8) (for L.Mike 82 mins)
15. Simon Heaton (7) (for Morning 77 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Leon Mike...Looked likely to score every time he received the ball and scored a superb hat-trick.
Verdict: One day Mossley will score ten in a competitive match, I just hope I'm still alive to see it!DISASTER!!!
Woodley Sports 4 Mossley 2
Mossley failed to show the same level of commitment as their hosts in today's potential title decider and paid the ultimate price as the lively Woodley forward line had something of a field day against a stretched Mossley defence. The game opened brightly enough and it should have been a boost when Woodley left back Mark Egerton was red carded for stamping on Tony Coyne after bringing him down on the edge of the box in the 13th minute. Coyne played no further part as he left the field with a suspected broken arm. The free kick came to naught and five minutes later Mossley found themselves a goal down after Meadowcroft, who's inexperience showed all afternoon, allowed Mike Norton far too much room and the lively striker fired into the bottom corner from 20 yards disappointingly beating Melville at his near post. The home side's lead was doubled in the 26th minute as the heavens opened and a corner from the left was powerfully headed home by the unmarked Mickey Ryan and Mossley were reeling at 2-0 down simply due to not defending. The half time introduction of Leon Mike and Adam Morning for the ineffective Downey and Headley lifted Mossley's spirits and the Lilywhites were much more of a goal threat thereafter. The arrears were reduced as early as the 51st minute when Steve Sheil's long throw from the left was missed by everyone and Mossley's most effective player on the day Dave Brown volleyed home from close range at the far post to give Mossley hope of a comeback. Those hopes were dashed by another defensive howler in the 67th minute when Brickell broke down the left and as Dootson slid in for the challenge the ball squirmed across the line behind Phil Melville who inadvertently helped the ball into the net for a goal that had a relieved and delighted Woodley laughing all the way back to the half way line. It just got worse for Mossley when Mike Norton scored his second from a suspiciously off-side position 12 minutes later and it was game over. Mossley still threatened going forward though and Leon Mike made it 4-2 when he fired home from close range after Josh Howard's shot had been blocked following Morning's left wing corner. Mossley, throwing caution to the wind nearly snatched another but the ball stuck on the line in a goalmouth scramble that was eventually cleared and Mossley's title aspirations took a very severe dent.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (5)
2. Matty Taylor (7)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Dave Brown (9*)
5. Paul Taylor (6) Y
6. Danny Meadowcroft (4)
7. Russ Headley (5)
8. Tony Coyne (x)
9. Rhodri Giggs (6)
10. Chris Downey (5)
11. Josh Howard (7)
Subs:
12. Leon Mike (7) Y (for Downey 45 mins)
14. Shaun Dootson (6) (for Coyne 15 mins)
15. Adam Morning (6) (for Headley 45 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Dave Brown...never say die!!!
Verdict: Mossley let themselves down badly and have no-one else to blame!CREAM RISES TO THE TOP!
Mossley 2 Squires Gate 1
Mossley could be accused of making hard work of tonight's victory over lowly Squires Gate but they weren't in the least aided by officials who had ideas that Squires Gate should be awarded a free kick every 30 seconds. That Mossley overcame this obvious handicap is great credit to the players and management for sticking to the game plan and patiently wearing down the Fylde coast club who worked very hard to keep the score respectable. Mossley opened very brightly and kept the visitors pinned in their own half for a lengthy spell before the referee gave an insight into what was to come by awarding Gate a free kick in a dangerous position after Steve Sheil had won the ball cleanly and made no contact with the player. It was difficult for Mossley to get up a head of steam thereafter, as the officials constant intervention threatened to boil the game over. Mossley finally gained reward for their obvious superiority in the 32nd minute with a goal from an unlikely source. Matty Taylor hit a long cross from deep on the right and Russ Headley arrived at the far post to head the ball beyond the reach of Gate keeper Bamber. The second half began more sedately but it was a major shock when the visitors fashioned an unlikely equaliser which began with another harshly awarded free kick and ended with Craig Boothby looping a header over the despairing dive of Phil Melville. Gate couldn't believe their luck and started to take longer over throw ins' being perfectly happy with 1-1. Mossley for their part continued to press forward and Sheil had a great chance with a header but he mistimed Giggs' inch perfect cross and cleared the bar by a distance. Giggs was unlucky on a couple of occasions, particularly when he hit an upright after a great run and cross by Matty Taylor, and also had a couple of dubious off-sides given against him before the richly deserved winner came in the 67th minute. Steve Sheil launched a long throw from out on the right hand touch line and 'captain fantastic' Paul Taylor arrived through a crowded box to rifle home a close range header and send the Mossley fans wild with delight. News broke that Nantwich were winning at Clitheroe and the volume rose again. However, it was the officials who decided the course of the game through the remaining minutes. Adam Morning broke down the right wing and crossed low in front of fellow substitute Leon Mike who burried his shot for a great goal that a linesman decided he didn't like and the score remained 2-1, even as the referee gave Squires Gate an endless stream of free kicks as the game reached it's conclusion, causing a previously concrete defence to give birth to a few kittens!
Team:
1. Phil Melville (7)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Danny Meadowcroft (7)
5. Paul Taylor (9*)
6. Dave Brown (8)
7. Russ Headley (7)
8. Tony Coyne (8) Y
9. Rhodri Giggs (8) Y
10. Chris Downey (7)
11. Josh Howard (8)
Subs:
12. Leon Mike (7) (for Downey 62 mins)
14. Leyton Slack (not used)
15. Adam Morning (7) (for Headley 68 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Paul Taylor...captain fantastic!
Verdict: Mossley 2 Squires Gate 1, Clitheroe 0 Nantwich Town 1, nuff said!ONE GOAL IS ENOUGH!
Alsager Town 0 Mossley 1
Mossley showed a great deal of patience to finally break down the stubborn resistance of Alsager Town at the Town Ground this afternoon. The claret & blues of Mossley were dominant throughout the match as Alsager typically defended deep and allowed Mossley little space in the box. A succession of corners throughout the first half brought no reward as Powner tipped over Brown's acrobatic volley, Headley's shot lacked power, Tobin had a shot deflected narrowly wide, Howard opted to pass rather than shoot after working a great move with Giggs and Matty Taylor, Downey's fierce drive was blocked painfully by a defender's manhood and Giggs had a couple of efforts that narrowly missed the target as Mossley rampaged forward at every opportunity. Alsager's long ball game caused very little consternation for Mossley's rearguard and on another day Mossley could easily have been five nil up by the break instead of goalless. Alsager enjoyed more possession upon resumption but Mossley were still forcing corners at regular intervals without finding the target. As the game wore on there was a danger that Alsager might steal a result but that possible eventuality was avoided when Phil Melville made a spectacular save from free kick specialist Kinsey after Meadowcroft had been penalised for a foul. Mossley's reward finally and deservedly arrived ten minutes from time. Substitute Adam Morning raced past his marker and delivered a low cross that Alsager failed to clear, the ball broke to Steve Tobin and his delicate lob forward found Chris Downey racing clear to the left, for former Bolton Wanderers striker's low drive had too much power for the home keeper and Mossley players and fans celebrated wildly! Alsager tried in vain to claw their way back but their negative attitude to the game was a hard system to change and Mossley held on easily for another well earned three points.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (8)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Steve Sheil (8)
4. Dave Brown (8)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Danny Meadowcroft (6)
7. Russ Headley (7)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Rhodri Giggs (7)
10. Chris Downey (8)
11. Josh Howard (8*) Y
Subs:
12. Tony Coyne (not used)
14. Leyton Slack (not used)
15. Adam Morning (7) (for Headley 75 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Josh Howard...worried Alsager everytime he was on the ball!
Verdict: Another deserved victory and more pressure on Clitheroe at the top!MOSSLEY RUN RIOT!
Mossley 7 Abbey Hey 2
Mossley's resurgance continued tonight as the rampant Lilywhites demolished struggling Abbey Hey 7-2 at Seel Park. Abbey's side contained six former Mossley players but the visitors had no answer to a Mossley side that allowed Abbey to come on to them and then responded at high speed with some lightning fast attacking moves that had the hard working but technically limited visitors at sixes and sevens. Mossley were in control from the off and the only surprise was that it took 16 minutes to open the scoring. Steve Sheil's free kick from deep on the left was controlled and poked home by the quick feet of Josh Howard. Five minutes later Mossley forged a second when a great run by Leyton Slack set up Rhodri Giggs who calmly struck the ball past a stranded keeper from 15 yards. Two minutes later Abbey stunned Mossley with a goal out of the blue as a cross from the right was met by the diving shoulder of one time Mossley trialist John Thornton who's effort looped over Phil Melville into the top corner. The two goal gap was restored in the 28th minute when Giggs was upended by Abbey keeper Mottershead and Chris Downey blasted home from the spot kick. A superb move involving Matty Taylor, Steve Tobin and Josh Howard ended with a great finish by Chris Downey for his second goal in four minutes. Five minutes later Abbey were given a feint glimmer of hope when ex Mossley player Rob Trees drove a great dipping volley from 25 yards that gave Melville, who was now visibly struggling with an injury, no chance. After the break Mossley protected Melville with reasonable comfort after adding a fifth goal four minutes after the break. Steve Tobin released Rhodri Giggs who delightfully chipped over the stranded Mottershead from 20 yards. The sixth goal was brilliantly rifled home on the turn from 25 yards by substitute Leon Mike in the 67th minute just two minutes after he entered the arena. The scoring was wrapped up in the 85th minute when a corner from the right saw Paul Taylor and Tobin have shots blocked before Chris Downey received the ball in a crowded area, turned brilliantly to beat the last defdender with a tricky back-heel and completed his hat-trick in fine style, rifling home from 6 yards to complete a memorable home debut.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (7)
2. Matty Taylor (9)
3. Steve SHeil (8)
4. Dave Brown (8)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Danny Meadowcroft (7)
7. Leyton Slack (7) Y
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Rhodri Giggs (9)
10. Chris Downey (10*)
11. Josh Howard (8)
Subs:
12. Russ Headley (6) (for Howard 55 mins)
14. Tony Coyne (7) (for Slack 65 mins)
15. Leon Mike (8) (for Giggs 65 mins)
Mossleyweb (and sponsors) Man of the Match: Chris Downey...the perfect home debut!
Verdict: Watch out Clitheroe and Woodley...we're right behind you and flying again!MOSSLEY COAST IT AT FLEETWOOD!
Fleetwood Town 1 Mossley 4
Mossley romped to a comfortable victory at a bumpy Highbury Avenue this aftrenoon, playing some great attacking football and looking more and more like the side that enjoyed the 21 game unbeaten run up to the new year. With Josh Howard starting his first game for a month and Leon Mike returning to the bench Mossley looked strong throughout the team and played with a purpose and inventiveness that has been sadly lacking in recent games. Fleetwood had the first chance when Melville saved acrobatically from Catlow's drive but the Claret & Blue clad Mossley fully deserved the lead when it came in the 28th minute. Steve Sheil set up Rhodri Giggs who's delightful far post ball found Chris Downey unmarked and he slotted home with ease for his first goal in a Mossley shirt. The lead was doubled three minutes before the break when Brown and Tobin were denied by some last ditch tackling and when Leyton Slack's resultant left wing corner wasn't cleared Dave Brown was on hand to give Mossley the two goal cushion their enterprsing play deserved. The second half was only four minutes old when Mossley added a superb third goal. Howard's tricky run and precision through ball was confidently thumped home from 20 yards by Rhodri Giggs for his first Mossley goal. Mossley eased off the pedal a little and Fleetwood reduced the arrears on 67 minutes after Tobin was penalised for a foul 25 yards out and Lee Catlow drove the free kick past the Mossley wall and into the bottom corner. Mossley still threatened with every attack and the lead was stretched back to three goals five minutes later when Slack's shot came back off the bar and Steve Sheil was quickest to react as he swept the rebound home from 10 yards. The game ended with home keeper Banks making a flying save from substitute Leon Mike's fierce drive.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (8)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Steve Sheil (8)
4. Dave Brown (8) Y
5. Paul Taylor (9*)
6. Danny Meadowcroft (8)
7. Leyton Slack (7)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Rhodri Giggs (8)
10. Chris Downey (7) Y
11. Josh Howard (8)
Subs:
12. Russ Headley (7) (for Slack 73 mins)
14. Tony Coyne (7) (for Brown 61 mins)
15. Leon Mike (7) (for Howard (65 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Paul Taylor...Captain fantastic gave a typical solid performance on his 300th appearance for Mossley.
Verdict: Back to top form for the run in...hopefully!!!
THE LATE SHOW!
Squires Gate 1 Mossley 3
Mossley left it late to take maximum from Squires Gate at School Road this afternoon despite almost total domination of the game. Mossley gave a debut to new signing Chris Downey alongside Rhodri Giggs to form an unfamiliar strike partnership in the absence of the injured Leon Mike. Squires Gate had actually opened brightly, worked hard for possession and took the lead in the 13th minute, albeit in controversial circumstances. Mossley should have been awarded a free kick near half way that the referee, who gave some outrageous decisions all afternoon, inexplicably awarded the other way and a push on Brown in th box ended with Paul Paynter diverting a header into the bottom corner. Mossley began to compose themselves and set about their task. The equaliser came after a spell of pressure in the 24th minute when Downey released Leyton Slack who calmly slotted the ball home from 10 yards for his first goal in a Mossley shirt. Mossley pressed throughout the remainder of the half and continued in the same vein after the interval. Squires Gate retreated further and further as Mossley turned the screw with the lively Paynter plowing a lonely furrow up front. It was the 60th minute introduction of Josh Howard, returning from injury, that prompted Mossley to their most sustained spell of pressure that lasted for pretty much the remainder of the match. Some last ditch defending by an overworked home defence and a blatant penalty appeal waved away was all that kept Mossley at bay until the breakthrough finally came as late as the 88th minute and was just reward for a hard working and much improved performance. The outstanding Rhodri Giggs drifted out to the left and crossed for Slack to have his effort saved only for Dave Brown to be in the right place at the right time to net the rebound from close range. Josh Howard rounded off a thoroughly deserved victory in the last minute with a superb solo goal. Dancing round a couple of defenders while cutting in from the left in typical fashion he slotted the ball past the home keeper from a difficult angle to joyful scenes from the large Mossley contingent.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (7)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Steve Sheil (8)
4. Danny Meadowcroft (7)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Dave Brown (8)
7. Leyton Slack (8)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Rhodri Giggs (9*)
10. Chris Downey (7)
11. Russ Headley (8)
Subs:
12. Simon Heaton (not used)
14. Tony Coyne (7) (for Tobin 74 mins)
15. Josh Howard (8) (for Downey 60 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Rhodri Giggs...caused mayhem in the Squires Gate defence all afternoon
Verdict: A much improved performance and a much improved result!VERSATILE RUSS SAVES A POINT!
Trafford 1 Mossley 1
Mossley had Russ Headley to thank for saving a point at Trafford tonight with a late equaliser whilst playing in his third different position of the evening. He bagan the game at left back, switched to right back when Matty Taylor went off grogily with a first half head injury and finished up on the left wing when Mossley ralleyed late in the game after being outplayed for the most part. Mossley got off to a flying start when in the first minute Leyton Slack cleverly beat several defenders before whipping a shot that came off the bar for Rhodri Giggs to put the ball into the net with his first touch as a Mossley player, but a linesman who gave the controversial striker off-side practically every time he had the ball thereafter made a poor decision as Giggs was obviously on-side when Slack shot! Mossley dominated the early stages but Trafford found their way into the game as Mossley's early momentum wained and Melville was called on to make a couple of saves before debutant central defender Danny Meadowcroft was unlucky with a header. After the break Mossley again had a spell of possession but were constantly thwarted by some excellent defending and some poor off-side decisions. Just when it looked like Mossley might find a breakthrough Trafford scored in the 65th minute with an excellent free-flowing move that finished with Andy Lundy scoring from close range. Mossley looked ragged as Trafford grew in confidence and Melville was fortunate when his poor clearance fell to Ogden but his effort was returned weakly to a grateful Mossley keeper. Mossley finally equalised five minutes from time. Leon Mike who hadn't enjoyed one of his better games finally broke free of his shackles and played Russ Headley in at the angle on the left and the versatile Headley squeezed the ball between keeper and post to the delight and relief of the Mossley contingent. There was more drama when Giggs flicked the ball over the keeper in the last minute but former Mossley left back Matty Cross cleared off the line to rob Mossley of the extra points that their overall performance barely deserved against a skilfull young Trafford side.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (7)
2. Matty Taylor (7)
3. Russ Headley (9*) Y
4. Dave Brown (6)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Danny Meadowcroft (8)
7. Simon Heaton (7)
8. Steve Tobin (6)
9. Rhodri Giggs (7)
10. Leon Mike (6) Y
11. Leyton Slack (7)
Subs:
12. Steve Sheil (8) (for M.Taylor 19 mins)
14. Tony Coyne (7) (for Heaton 75 mins)
15. Shaun Dootson (not used)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Russ Headley...showed his versatility with a quality performance in three different positions.
Verdict: Disappointing performance and result on a night when Clitheroe and Woodley both lost!BAD NIGHT AT THE OFFICE!!!
Newcastle Town 3 Mossley 1
Mossley gave a thoroughly disappointing performance in the absence on poorly manager Jason Beckford and went down with a whimper against a very ordinary Newcastle side at Lyme Valley Stadium on Tuesday night . The first half saw two poor teams unable to retain possession despite a carpet of a pitch. Newcastle broke the deadlock on 38 minutes when Adam Beesley looped a shot over Melville from 20 yards before Mossley equalized on the stroke of half time with their first bit of fluent football of the game. Mark Phillips played a cross field ball to Simon Heaton who’s quick one-two freed Leon Mike who calmly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Mossley piled forward after the break and Heaton somehow missed two feet away from a completely open goal, Leon Mike thundered a header against the post and Mike again caused havoc forcing Diskin to drive the ball against his own cross bar. However, Newcastle were gifted the game when Dootson was dismissed in the 64th minute for a second yellow card and Paul Kieley curled home the resultant free kick although why the referee allowed them to move the free kick to a shooting position when the offence took place on the touchline is a complete mystery. Kieley completed Mossley’s misery when he blasted a second four minutes later.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (8)
2. Matty Taylor (9*)
3. Mark Phillips (5) Y
4. Dave Brown (6)
5. Paul Taylor (6)
6. Shaun Dootson (4) YYR
7. Simon Heaton (5)
8. Steve Tobin (5)
9. Tony Carroll (5)
10. Leon Mike (8)
11. Adam Morning (6)
Subs:
12. Russ Headley (6) (for Morning 65 mins)
14. Tony Coyne (6) Y (for Tobin 77 mins)
15. Steve Sheil (not used). Red Card: Dootson Yellow cards: Dootson, Coyne, Phillips
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Matty Taylor...Never stopped when most others did!
Verdict: Very, very poor and hardly promotion form!!!BACK ON TRACK!
Mossley 3 Skelmersdale United 1
Mossley finally returned to winning ways against a lively and dangerous Skelmersdale United side at Seel Park this afternoon and were forced to scrap til the very end for three very valuable points. Mossley dominated the early exchanges but were unable to open a well drilled home defence though Adam Morning and debutant Leyton Slack were a serious threat on the flanks. Skem survived Mossley's early onslaught without the Lilywhites managing an effort on target and stunned the home fans on the half hour when Dootson was caught in possession and Carl Osman chipped over a stranded Phil Melville from 20 yards. Undeterred Mossley came straight back at Skem and Tony Carroll brought a stunning save from Holcroft only for Dave Brown to head home from Adam Morning's resultant right wing corner. The second half saw Skem gain the upper hand for a spell but thankfully the League's leading scorer Stuart Rudd had left his shooting boots at home and Mossley were rarely troubled although Melville did well to deal with a point blank Dugdale effort. The 64th minute introduction of Simon Heaton swung the game in Mossley's favour as he set up what proved to the winning goals. Firstly his powerful volleyed cross from the right caused havoc in the visitors defence and after Holcroft somehow blocked Carroll's initial effort Leon Mike was on hand to drive home from 10 yards after his header had failed a split second earlier. Mossley were denied a blatant penalty when Mike was upended under the referee's nose but Skem rarely looked capable of hauling themselves back into the game as Mossley's defence and midfield shut up shop and it was no real surprise when Mossley added a third in the final minute when Heaton's pin-point cross was laid off by Mike for Tony Carroll to blast Mossley to victory for the first time in 2004 to the great relief of everyone involved.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (8)
2. Matty Taylor (7)
3. Mark Phillips (7)
4. Dave Brown (8)
5. Paul Taylor (10*)
6. Shaun Dootson (7)
7. Leyton Slack (7)
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Tony Carroll (7)
10. Leon Mike (7)
11. Adam Morning (7)
Subs:
12. Russ Headley (7) (for Morning 80 mins)
14. Tony Coyne (not used)
15. Simon Heaton (8) (for Slack 64 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Paul Taylor...Absolutely flawless!
Verdict: A win at last, now we can get on with the job in hand!
MOSSLEY DRAW AGAIN!
Mossley 2 Alsager Town 2
It was seen as a 'must win' game following the recent poor sequence of results but in the end Mossley were again forced to settle for one point when 3 were needed against a stubborn and resiliant Alsager side at Seel Park today! Mossley got off to a flying start after easily repelling Alsager's early pressure and scored the opener in the 3rd minute. Mossley won a corner on the left, Adam Morning's flag kick wasn't cleared and Josh Howard curled a great left foot shot into the top corner from the edge of the area! From that point Mossley played some great pass and move football and looked like scoring with every attack. Keeper Powner madea great save to deny Tony Carroll and Tony Coyne narrowly failed to reach Morning's excellent cross. Steve Tobina nd Leon Mike also went close in what was a comfortably one sided first half with Alsager not looking like a side unbeaten in 12 games. The second half saw Mossley inexplicably relax and although comfortably on top a second goal wouldn't come and Alsager equalised out of the blue in the 52nd minute when Will Hurley headed home after Mossley failed to clear a corner. The game was now end to end but Mossley's passing game had somehow become disjointed. Powner excelled again with a magnificent save to deny Tony Carroll and Howard danced around at least six players in acrowded box but couldn't get a clean shot as Alsager cleared their lines in a series of Mossley raids. It felt like a mugging ten minutes from time when the visitors took a shock lead as Andy Kinsey was left in far too much space on the left and he easily beat the advancing Melville from 18 yards. Mossley pressed relentlessly though and just when it seemed all was lost Leon Mike got on the end of substitute Shaun Dootson's through ball, held off a challenge and slotted home from 10 yards to the delight and relief of the noisy Mossley fans!
Team:
1. Phil Melville (7)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Dave Brown (8)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Tony Coyne (8)
7. Josh Howard (8*) Y
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Tony Carroll (7)
10. Leon Mike (7)
11. Adam Morning (7)
Subs:
12. Mark Phillips (6) Y (for Sheil 75 mins)
14. Shaun Dootson (7) (for Coyne 75 mins)
15. Simon Heaton (7) (for Morning 79 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Josh Howard...caused havoc in the Alsager defence all afternoon!
Verdict: Disappointing result from an entertaining game!
MOSSLEY HELD AT COLLIERIES!
Atherton Collieries 1 Mossley 1
When the ball won't go in the net despite all your efforts then you are going to struggle to win games, and that was Mossley's problem on a terrible surface in awful weather conditions at Alder Street today. Mossley made the worst possible start going behind in only the 2nd minute when a deep cross from the right was headed home by the unmarked Phil Brown. Mossley were further hit when debutant Mattie Hughes departed from the field with a pulled hamstring with only 13 minutes on the clock. Mossley were finding life difficult against a home side who played with the abandon of a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain as Mossley toiled manfully up the notorious Alder Street slope. The visitors were finally rewarded when substitute Adam Morning and Tony Carroll combined on the left and the latter crossed for Tony Coyne to score a rare header from the edge of the six yard box. Carroll then burst through and rounded the keeper but the ball hit the post and after a scramble was cleared. With the slope in their favour after the break Mossley pressed almost constantly but with home manager Alan Lord throwing caution to the wind by playing with six defenders, four forwards and no midfield it was always going to be difficult to break down a packed defence and also to defend against four fairly quick attackers when the long ball was punted upfield. Mossley had the ball in the net through Alan Bailey but a flag ruled him offside, which looked a highly dubious decision and was ultimately to prove costly as Josh Howard missed a sitter from close range and Steve Tobin was twice denied by last ditch blocks. Carroll beat the keeper with a curling angled shot that was somehow hooked off the line when a clearance looked a near physical impossibility. At the other end sub Russ Headley brilliantly broke up an Atherton attack single handedly and set up another Mossley raid which ended with Bailey slicing his shot from a good position and Mossley were forced to settle for a point when three were desperately needed and nearly ended with none as Brown missed a gilt edged header from close range with the Moslsey defence awol in the last couple of minutes.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (8)
2. Josh Howard (7)
3. Steve Sheil (8)
4. Dave Brown (8*)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Tony Coyne (8)
7. Rob Matthews (6)
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Tony Carroll (7)
10. Alan Bailey (6)
11. Mattie Hughes (-)
Subs:
12. Russ Headley (8) (for Matthews 60 mins)
14. Adam Morning (7) (for Hughes 13 mins)
15. Simon Heaton (not used)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Dave Brown...solid as a rock, got in the way of everything, and was one of the few players able to get to grips with the awful conditions.
Verdict: Where have all the goals gone?!
Boro snatch a draw!
Mossley 2 Radcliffe Borough 2
Mossley gave a good account of themselves against UniBond Premier Division Radcliffe Borough in tonight's hastily arranged friendly. In fact the Lilywhites can count themselves unfortunate not to have won heavily after a thoroughly one sided first half which saw Mossley take a comfortable 2-0 lead which could have been at least doubled. Alan Bailey, returning from injury was the main culprit as he was denied by the Radcliffe keeper on several occasions as Mossley tore holes in the visitors creaking rearguard. Mossley went ahead on 39 minutes when Rob Matthews set up Tony Carroll to control and finish well from 15 yards. The lead was doubled two minutes before the break when Steve Tobin's great run and cross found the impressive Mattie Hughes at the far post who rifled home a debut goal after earlier hitting the bar with a smart curling shot. Boro made more of a show of it after the break as they went in search of a goal and Phil Melville was called into action with a couple of good saves. Bailey was again denied by the keeper when he raced through one on one but Radcliffe reduced the arrears almost immediately when former Curzon hit-man Josh Mitten scored through a ruck of players. Boro equalised ten minutes from time when Paul Wheatcroft found himself unmarked on the left and he slotted the ball past the stranded Melville. Mossley almost snatched a winner their overall performance deserved as Radcliffe escaped with some desperate defending and held on to draw what was an entertaining friendly match played out in difficult conditions.
Team: Melville, Howard, Sheil, Brown, P.Taylor, Coyne, Matthews, Tobin, Carroll, Bailey, Hughes. Subs: Headley (for Howard 45 mins), Heaton (for Coyne 53 mins), Morning (for Hughes 53 mins).FOURTH SUCCESSIVE DEFEAT SHOCK!
Mossley 1 Newcastle Town 2
Mossley slipped to a fourth straight defeat and their third cup exit in eight days against a hard working Newcastle Town at Seel Park today. Mossley were forced to all but abandon their passing game on a surface damaged by heavy rain and three games in a week and this gave Newcastle a first half impetus that they were to take full advantage of. The visistors dominated the early stages and Ndjebayi was called on to make a smart save from Sandeman before dangerman Mike Lennon gave them a deserved lead on 17 minutes when he headed home Woodvine's cross. Stirred into action Mossley were level three minutes later. A peach of a through ball by Tony Carroll released Leon Mike who delicately chipped the advancing keeper from 20 yards to score off the underside of the bar. With Mossley starting to dominate it was a shock when Newcastle scored what proved to be the winner with a totally fluke goal on 33 minutes. Leon Mike was blatently impeded without reward by an abysmal referee and Newcastle left back Ian Banks struck a cross that deflected off the unfortunate Matty Taylor and flew agonizingly over the stranded Ndjebayi into the top corner. The second half saw Mossley throw the kitchen sink at the visitors who defended superbly throughout the half and Mossley's hold on the NWCL Challenge Cup was extinguished. Mossley were not aided by a blatent penalty not awarded and a tendency to try and walk the ball in the net through a packed defence. Amazingly referee Mr Radcliffe of Liverpool yellow carded six Mossley players in what can only be described as an absolute nightmare performance by the 'man in black'.
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (7)
2. Matty Taylor (8)
3. Steve Sheil (8) Y
4. Mark Phillips (7) Y
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Tony Coyne (7)
7. Simon Heaton (7)
8. Steve Tobin (8*) Y
9. Tony Carroll (7) Y
10. Leon Mike (7) Y
11. Russ Headley (7)
Subs:
12. Josh Howard (7) Y (for Heaton 68 mins)
14. Shaun Dootson (not used)
15. Adam Morning (7) (for Headley 62 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Steve Tobin...combative grafting performance by the diminutive number 8.
Verdict: Marred by one of the worst refereeing performances I have ever seen!GOLDEN GOAL SETTLES ‘DERBY’ THRILLER!
Mossley 3 Hyde United 4
Mossley can consider themselves rather unfortunate to have gone out of the Manchester Premier Cup at Seel Park on Wednesday night in an exciting end-to-end thriller of a cup tie that had the fans on their toes from beginning to end. Hyde paid Mossley the compliment of sending a full strength side in a competition that isn’t renowned for fervour while Jason Beckford made wholesale changes from the side that spluttered out of the Vase four days earlier. Phil Melville, Mark Bradshaw, Tony Coyne, Simon Heaton, Steve Tobin, Tony Carroll and Russ Headley were all recalled to the starting line up and for the most part they played like they had a point to prove and first team shirts to be won. Unfortunately, recalled keeper Melville will probably want to forget this game in a hurry as two partially saved shots ended in the net, including the match winner.
The game began at a high tempo and maintained it throughout with play switching quickly from end to end as both sides played open attacking football. Hyde broke the deadlock without either keeper having made a save though in the 25th minute when Neil Tolson’s header sneaked in off the foot of the post. It took Mossley only seven minutes to level though as Simon Heaton’s deep right wing cross was headed home off the post by the stooping Tony Carroll. Moments later Russ Headley crashed a great shot off the bar from 20 yards with Mullock well beaten.
Mossley edged in front nine minutes after the break when Leon Mike set off on a superb solo run brushing off several challenges in typical fashion before finishing superbly in the bottom corner from a difficult angle. Three minutes later Mossley stretched the lead when Mark Bradshaw’s left wing corner wasn’t cleared and Leon Mike was in the right place at the right time to hammer the ball home. Mossley were playing some great stuff by now and Mike might have completed his hat-trick but for an unkind bobble on a tricky surface. Mossley lost substitute Alan Bailey with an ankle injury moments later, having himself replaced Tony Carroll who had limped off ten minutes earlier.
Unfortunately for Mossley, Hyde wouldn’t lie down and went on to dominate the remainder of the 90 minutes, although Mossley were still a threat on the break. Hyde’s second goal had an element of good fortune about it as Heaton badly sliced a clearance which caused havoc before John O’Kane forced the ball home in the 65th minute. Then with 11 minutes left on the clock Hyde sub Lee Madin forced an equaliser when he scored from a rebound as Melville dived to save Salt’s powerful drive to take the game to sudden death.
Hyde pressed forward relentlessly as Mossley’s unfamiliar line up tired but the winner was still a sickener when it came just before the extra time break as Melville attempted to tip over McNeil’s shot only for the ball to drop under the bar behind him to give John O’Kane the chance to score from almost on the line. The ‘golden goal’ rule meant the game ended at that point.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (5)
2. Josh Howard (7) Y
3. Mark Bradshaw (7)
4. Mark Phillips (8)
5. Steve Sheil (8)
6. Tony Coyne (7)
7. Simon Heaton (8)
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Tony Carroll (8)
10. Leon Mike (7)
11. Russ Headley (9*)
Subs.
12. Alan Bailey (7) (for Carroll 55 mins)
14. Adam Morning (7) (for Bailey 68 mins)
15. Shaun Dootson (6) (for Heaton 85 mins).
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Russ Headley...a constant thorn in the side for Hyde!
Verdict: Cruel luck!!!
MOSSLEY CRASH OUT OF VASE!
Mossley 1 Winchester City 2
FA Vase 4th Round
Mossley paid the price for a very poor first half performance against Wessex League big-guns Winchester City at Seel Park this afternoon to crash out of the FA Vase at the fourth round stage and send the Hampshire club through to the last sixteen.
Mossley had opened brightly enough and had a great chance early on when Matthews set Josh Howard clear only for Howard to shoot tamely when he ought to have done much better. As the half progressed though, Winchester began to assert themselves with Webber causing problems on the right and the elusive Forbes looking like he might score every time he touched the ball.
The 50 goal hot shot Andy Forbes was eventually to prove Mossley’s undoing. He had already been denied twice by acrobatic saves by Ndjebayi and had curled a shot an inch wide before he headed Winchester into a 40th minute lead after Dootson and then Ndjebayi had failed to clear under pressure. It was as much as Winchester deserved for their dominance as Mossley’s three man midfield floundered.
The second half saw Mossley revert to the fans favoured 4-4-2 formation and the introduction of Tony Coyne for the ineffective Shaun Dootson saw Mossley in more dangerous mode and with Alan Bailey and Leon Mike starting to find their touch Mossley looked much more threatening. At the other end however, Winchester were still finding space and two great saves by Ndjebayi denied Forbes and Mancey. Mossley introduced Russ Headley and he proved to be a thorn in Winchester’s side from the moment of his arrival and Mossley finally equalised on 73 minutes. Leon Mike battled through a crowded box and Alan Bailey was on hand to lash the ball beyond Simon Arthur’s despairing dive from ten yards.
It looked like Winchester had burned themselves out and Mossley might go on to win a game in which they had been outplayed for the most part. It wasn’t to be though, as in the 80th minute Winchester scored the winner. A free kick was awarded to Winchester on the right wing although many viewers said the award should have gone the other way as Webber handled. The free kick was powerfully headed into the top corner by Andy Forbes to spark scenes of jubilation amongst the Winchester players and fans.
Mossley huffed and puffed in search of another equaliser but were unable to break down a resilient visitors rearguard and the Vase dream ended for another year.
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (7)
2. Matty Taylor (8*)
3. Steve Sheil (6)
4. Mark Phillips (8)
5. Paul Taylor (7)
6. Dave Brown (6)
7. Alan Bailey (7)
8. Shaun Dootson (5)
9. Leon Mike (6)
10. Josh Howard (7)
11. Rob Matthews (6)
Subs.
12. Russ Headley (7) (for Brown 71 mins)
14. Tony Carroll (7) (for Sheil 81 mins)
15. Simon Heaton (not used)
16. Tony Coyne (8) (for Dootson 56 mins)
17. Phil Melville (not used).
Man of the Match: Matty Taylor...Tireless!!!
Verdict: It doesn’t get much more disappointing than that.
21 MATCH UNBEATEN RUN IS OVER!
Nantwich Town 3 Mossley 1
Mossley's superb 21 match unbeaten run finally came to a bumpy end at Jackson Avenue this afternoon as another poor second half performance proved costly. Mossley had arrived looking to bounce back from the disapppointment of the previous week's showing, but, the almost but not quite dry Nantwich pitch cut up very quickly, making for a very uneven playing surface and Mossley's passing game was thwarted. As for Nantwich, with the pace of WIlkinson and Griggs, and the guile and cunning of veteran player-manager Nigel Gleghorn, had the simple intention of releasing the pacy pair at every opportunity with a series of long balls into the corners, turning the Mossley defence and often causing consternation as back passes bobbled on the awful surface. In one such instance a Phillips back pass bounced over the swinging foot of Ndjebayi and created a chance for Wilkinson but Sheil was alert to clear the danger. At the other end Mossley finally threatened when a great run by Leon Mike saw the home keeper make a save. After the break Mossley looked more assertive and took the lead four minutes in when Steve Sheil's precise through ball found Josh Howard who turned well in the box, shrugged off his marker and tucked the ball in the bottom corner from ten yards. With a new found confidence Mossley pressed forward briefly, but with the midfield unable to get the better of the dominant Gleghorn Mossley had only another Leon Mike effort to show for their endeavours, while Nantwich worked hard to fight their way back and the Dabbers finally equalised in the 60th minute when Nigel Gleghorn scored from a rebound after a mazy run by Griggs. Five minutes later Nantwich were in front. Russ Headley was yellow carded, by an otherwise weak referee, for his only foul in an almost flawless performance at right wing back and ex Mossley man Danny Griggs curled a superb free kick into the top corner from just ouside the area. Mossley pressed forward more in hope than expectation, but apart from a long range effort by Dootson posed no real threat as the pitch deteriorated further. Salt was rubbed into Mossley's wounds five minutes from time when Wes Wilkinson went on a long run with Mossley stretched and was finally brought down in the box by Steve Tobin and Wilkinson stepped up to knock home the spot-kick. Game over!
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (7)
2. Russ Headley (8*) Y
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Mark Phillips (5)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Shaun Dootson (6) Y
7. Alan Bailey (7)
8. Steve Tobin (6)
9. Leon Mike (6)
10. Josh Howard (7)
11. Adam Morning (7)
Subs:
12. Dave Brown (7) (for Phillips 45 mins)
14. Simon Heaton (7) (for Morning 64 mins)
15. Tony Carroll (not used)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Russ Headley...looks very comfortable at right back and one of few players to shine!
Verdict: The run had to end some time...but Mossley were poor!BELOW PAR MOSSLEY SETTLE FOR POINT!
Curzon Ashton 1 Mossley 1
Mossley gave by far the poorest performance since the current unbeaten run began and in the end were relieved to settle for a point at a damp National Park this afternoon, in fact, but for some wayward finishing by the Curzon forwards and some excellent goalkeeping by Jean-Paul Ndjebayi Mossley would have been punished to the maximum. Curzon looked to attack from the off but found a solid visitors back line facing them and in their first attack in the fourth minute Mossley took the lead. Mark Bradshaw crossed from the left, Mark Phillips won the ball on the edge of the box and Steve Tobin brilliantly held off the last man's challenge to slot home from the angle. Alan Bailey almost doubled the advantage moments later and Mossley had a spell when they looked highly likely to score again. For some unknown reason though, Mossley failed to get a firm foothold on the game and almost nonchalantly allowed Curzon to dominate the remainder of the half with Mossley trying to play on the break. Curzon had posed little threat despite their territorial advantage and the equalising goal came out of nothing. Five minutes before the break left winger Wayne Dean curled a great shot into the top corner from a fairly wide position on the left. After consulting his assistant the referee awarded the goal to a deafening silence. Where were the Curzon fans today? The second half continued in the same vein and even the introduction of all three substitutes in fairly quick succession couldn't lift Mossley out of their lethargy. Too many passes were going astray and Curzon's defence and midfield were controlling the game. Dean should have put Curzon in front with a clear header but he missed the target and Ndjebayi saved everything that Curzon could launch at him. Mossley were punished by a couple of decidedly dodgy off-side decisions when a lowered flag would have seen Bailey and then Carroll in the clear but in the end Jason Beckford will have been relieved that his side weren't beaten after a well below par performance.
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (9*)
2. Matty Taylor (7)
3. Mark Bradshaw (6)
4. Mark Phillips (8)
5. Paul Taylor (8) Y
6. Shaun Dootson (6) Y
7. Rob Matthews (6)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Alan Bailey (7)
10. Dave Brown (8)
11. Russ Headley (6)
Subs:
12. Tony Carroll (6) (for Headley 59 mins)
14. Tony Coyne (7) (for M.Taylor 63 mins)
15. Josh Howard (6) (for Phillips 51 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Jean-Paul Ndjebayi...kept Mossley in the game!
Verdict: ...but a not so happy new year!IT'S SO EASY!
Glossop North End 0 Mossley 2
Mossley stretched their unbeaten run to twenty games at Surrey Street this afternoon and also importantly kept a third successive clean sheet with a comfortable 2-0 victory to complete an easy double over neighbours Glossop North End. Mossley got off to a flying start with the returning Alan Bailey heading against the post from Rob Matthews cross in their first attack. Not to be denied Alan Bailey found the target in only the fourth minute when he slotted home from the edge of the box after accellarating onto Shaun Dootson's through ball. Sandwiched between Bailey's efforts Glossop might have opened the scoring when Barhill made a chance for himself out of nothing but he shot harmlessly into the side netting.Mossley loooked likely to score with every attack, but home keeper Stuart WIlliams was in excellent form and made fine saves to deny Tobin and the rampant Bailey, before being beaten again in the fifteenth minute. Steve Sheil's long throw from the left was flicked on by Mark Phillips for Rob Matthews to score on the turn from ten yards. Mossley continued to dominate and the under pressure home defence was reduced in the 28th minute when Andy Sherlock was dismissed for bringing down the lively Adam Morning when the unfortunate defender found himself as last man. The game became a damage limitation excercise for the Hillmen thereafter. Williams and his overworked defence were bombarded again after the break and Glossop lost their other central defender when veteran player-coach Gus WIlson pulled up after trying to chase down Bailey. Mossley were now in cruise control and created several more chances, Williams again excelling with a number of acrobatic saves, not least from a thirty yard piledriver from the newly re-signed Mark Bradshaw and from a deflected free kick by the same player. As Mossley visibly stepped down a gear Glossop mounted a couple of rare attacks but Jean-Paul Ndjebayi was in no mood to concede, while at the other end Mossley's tendency to overplay on a badly cut up surface restricted further chances, although the outstanding Dave Brown and substitutes Simon Heaton and Tony Carroll all might have added to Mossley's tally.
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (8)
2. Russ Headley (8)
3. Steve Sheil (7) Y
4. Mark Phillips (8)
5. Paul Taylor (7)
6. Shaun Dootson (7) Y
7. Rob Matthews (7)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Alan Bailey (9*)
10. Dave Brown (8)
11. Adam Morning (7)
Subs:
12. Simon Heaton (7) (for Matthews 45 mins)
14. Mark Bradshaw (8) (for Sheil 45 mins)
15. Tony Carroll (7) (for P.Taylor 52 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Alan Bailey...full of running, great goal, like he's never been away.
Verdict: Happy Christmas!!!ROB & JOSH SEE OFF STUBBORN LR!
Mossley 2 Atherton LR 0
Mossley had to work hard to break down a stubborn Atherton LR as they mounted a rearguard battle at a sodden Seel Park this afternoon. The visitors opened brightly with their top scorer Ben Obong prominent but Mossley looked secure at the back with Dave Brown, replacing rested skipper Paul Taylor, partnering captain for the day Mark Phillips in central defence. It was obvious from early on what LR's afternoon was about though as the visitors twice emptied the ball out of the ground inside the first ten minutes. Every time Mossley moved forward they found the entire LR team in front of them and working very hard. It was no surprise then that Mossley were able to totally dictate the play throughout the 90 minutes and particularly in a second half that was just about one-way traffic. Mossley's best chances of the first period had come from excellent long range shots by Phillips and Mario Daniel (on as early as the 15th minute for the injured Leon Mike) that flashed just wide of the right hand post and great saves by LR keeper Colin Flood that denied Josh Howard and Rob Matthews. With Tobin, Howard and Dootson probing endlesslessly and Morning and Matthews seeing plenty of the ball on the flanks a goal surely had to come after the break, but Flood excelled himself again saving everything that his massed defence couldn't block. LR managed just one attack but it was nearly effective as Obong broke clear on the left, but when faced one-on-one with Ndjebayi he lost the plot and shot weakly. Mossley to their credit never became frustrated and continued to chip away at a now tiring defence, finally gaining the reward for their patience in the 73rd minute, with a little magic from Rob Matthews who curled an unstoppable shot into the corner after cutting in from the left on Sheil's pass. There was only one winner after that as LR, now forced to come out and play, tried to haul themselves back into the game, but Mossley were able to keep them at bay with ease and it was no surprise when the Lilywhites doubled the lead five minutes from time. Dave Brown played a peach of a through ball frm insidehis own half that Josh Howard raced onto and drew the keeper before slotting home his second goal in successive games and putting LR out of their misery.
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (8)
2. Tony Coyne (7)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Mark Phillips (8)
5. DaveBrown (8)
6. Shaun Dootson (8)
7. Rob Matthews (8)
8. Steve Tobin (9*)
9. Leon Mike (-)
10. Josh Howard (8)
11. Adam Morning (8)
12. Simon Heaton (7) (for Morning 75 mins)
14. Russell Headley (8) (for Coyne 45 mins)
15. Mario Daniel (8) (for Mike 15 mins)
Mossleyweb (and sponsors) Man of the Match: SteveTobin, tireless graft and creative guile!
Verdict: A job well done!MOSSLEY TOO GOOD FOR BAY!
Mossley 4 Whitley Bay 0
Mossley proved too strong for Albany Northern League big-guns Whitley Bay with a powerful and efficient performance at Seel Park this afternoon. As a spectacle the game never really got going, the referee and some over-zealous tackling by the visitors made sure that the flow was constantly stunted! Whitley were strong and direct, looking to get the lively Edgecumbe away, but when they did create a couple of half chances Jean-Paul Ndjebayi was in the way with some safe and reliable goalkeeping. Most of the visitors attacks ended with shots from outside the box and with Taylor and Phillips in dominant mood there was no way through for the North Easterners, meanwhile at the other end Josh Howard was causing havoc with some surging runs and the visitors had no-one qiuick enough to pick him up. It was on one such run that Mossley took a deserved lead in the 38th minute. He set off from midfield at a pace, laying the ball off for Leon Mike, who's instant return saw the lively Josh Howard through on goal and he calmly planted a firm shot past the advancing keeper from 10 yards. With Brown, Dootson and Howard dominating midfield Bay had been reliant on breakaways but now had to change their game plan. Unfortunately for them they didn't really seem to have one and Mossley by now up a gear were beginning to find holes in a less compact defence. On a difficult pitch chances were never clear cut and after the break Mike went close on a couple of occasions when a flatter surface wouldn't have hindered him, but it was Mossley who looked likeliest to score and duly did when Paul Taylor hammered home a header from Rob Matthews right wing corner on 68 minutes. Bay's defence was now layed bare as they tried to push on to salvage something, but it was in honesty half hearted. Several members of the visitors team got away lightly with some very poor challenges as Mossley now swarmed all over them. The referee then took it on himself to dismiss Dave Brown after the dubious award of a second yellow card for a challenge that Brown appeared to win cleanly. Substitutes Adam Morning and then Tony Carroll caused Bay's defence a new set of problems and Morning's pace was soon evident. The youngster so deserved his goal when it came with two minutes left on the clock. Carroll and Dootson opened up the visitors almost non existent defence, Dootson found substitute Simon Heaton on the right wing and his cross was hammered home at the far post by a gleeful Adam Morning. Numbers were evened again in stoppage time when Little brought Morning down for a penalty and centre back Martin struck a Mossley player in the ensuing melee and was red carded. Tony Coyne stepped up to hammer home the spot kick and send the geordies back to the north east well and truly beaten!
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (8)
2. Tony Coyne (7)
3. Steve Sheil (7) Y
4. Mark Phillips (8)
5. Paul Taylor (8) Y
6. Shaun Dootson (8)
7. Rob Matthews (8)
8. Dave Brown (8) YYR
9. Leon Mike (7)
10. Josh Howard (9*)
11. Russ Headley (8)
12. Simon Heaton (8) (for Matthews 84 mins)
14. Tony Carroll (8) (for Mike 80 mins)
15. Adam Morning (8) (for Headley 69 mins)
16. Mario Daniel (not used)
17. Phil Melville (not used)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Josh Howard...cused panic in the visitors defence every time he got the ball!
Verdict: Just too good for the disappointing geordies!GREAT MATCH, GREAT RESULT!
Mossley 2 Woodley Sports 1
Mossley and Woodley Sports provided a great advertisement for non-league football with a full blooded all action top of the table clash at Seel Park this evening to keep 316 people on their toes throughout an exhilarating 90 minutes. Woodley were fastest out of the blocks allowing Mossley no time to settle and for the first 15 minutes dominated play. Brickell and Jones testing Jean-Paul Ndjebayi with good strikes. Mossley weathered the early storm admirably and began to impress themselves on the game with teenager Adam Morning probing dangerously on the left and Leon Mike beginning to impose himself. On one great run Mike beat two defenders and drew the keeper but another challenge caused him to lose his footing and impressive Woodley number 1 Liam Higginbottom was able to save. Higginbottom excelled himself on several occasions through the game though Josh Howard looked a scorer on two occasions but his first effort lacked power and his second hit the post after Mike had caused more havoc. The action came thick and fast and the half ended with Mossley appeals for a penalty being turned away as Dootson's shot hit a Woodley arm as it flew goalwards. It was more of the same after the break as Morning again beat his marker and Mike had his header acrobatically saved by Higginbottom. Mossley were dominant, but in a now rare Woodley raid the visitors took the lead in the 57th minute. Hackney squaring the ball to Mickey Ryan who blasted a thunderbolt past Ndjebayi from 20 yards. It was a stunning blow and a lesser side than Mossley would have struggled to recover. However, this Mossley team is made of stern stuff and the Lilywhites came roaring back again with substitute Rob Matthews, on for Simon Heaton, causing Woodley a fresh set of problems. It was Matthews who bagged Mossley's deserved leveler six minutes later. Mossley won a throw-in on the right wing. Steve Sheil launched another of his long throws Paul Taylor jumped and missed, Rob Matthews shot and it was blocked and the same player reacted quickest to hammer the ball home from six yards. The game at this point saw Woodley appear to start thinking about one point instead of three and their approach became more negative. Not Mossley however, and the pressure intensified as Woodley worked hard to repel the home side's advances. They almost didn't succumb. Until, with the game creeping into stoppage time and Woodley increasingly time-wasting, Sheil knocked a ball forward down the left wing that Adam Morning controlled well and sped past the covering defender, taking the ball to the dead ball line he crossed low to the far post and Shaun Dootson was on hand to jubilantly lash the ball home from four yards. Woodley tried gallantly to recover but Mossley's efforts were rewarded when the referee blew the final whistle to the delight of players and fans alike. Breathtaking stuff!
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (8)
2. Russ Headley (8)
3. Steve Sheil (8)
4. Mark Phillips (9*) Y
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Shaun Dootson (7) Y
7. Simon Heaton (6)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Leon Mike (7)
10. Josh Howard (7)
11. Adam Morning (8)
Subs:
12. Rob Matthews (8) (for Heaton 53 mins)
14. Mario Daniel (for Howard 84 mins)
15. Dave Brown (for Mike 88 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Mark Phillips...yet another blinder...against his former club!
Verdict: 15 wins and 2 draws in the last 17 games tells it's own story!
SUPER MOSSLEY COAST THROUGH!
Fleetwood Town 1 Mossley 3
North West Counties League Challenge Cup 2nd Round
A patchwork Mossley side today outplayed Fleetwood at Highbury Avenue with a fine and determined display against a side who gave everything they had, but the rampant visitors proved to be just too good for them. The first half hour was fairly even with Fleetwood trying to force the pace knocking early balls forward and trying to squeeze Mossley up the field but with limited success, while Mossley had the best of the early chances when Mike set Josh Howard free through the centre but he was unfortunate to see his effort dip just over the bar. It was recalled Mossley keeper Phil Melville who was to thwart the hopeful home side throughout the game, making several excellent saves and having by far his best game in a Mossley shirt. At the other end Adam Morning, just a day short of his 17th Birthday, was given a surprise full debut and he impressed on the left wing with pace, skill and some excellent crosses. Mossley struck first in the 35th minute. Leon Mike slipped down the blind-side on the left and whipped in a cross that Fleetwood left back Matty Kirkham inadvertently drove into his own net from six yards out when it looked easier to clear. Clearly lifted by the goal Mossley set about taking the home side apart and doubled the lead five minutes later with a superb solo effort by Leon Mike. The big Mossley striker turned his marker, shrugged off two attempted tackles and drove the ball left footed into the bottom corner from 15 yards. It was a stunning goal and Fleetwood were shell-shocked at this stage. After the break Fleetwood must have had similar thoughts to Nantwich before them as they came with nothing to lose, all guns blazing for a spell which was quickly ended by a now rampant Mossley. Leon Mike, Adam Morning and Josh Howard were causing all kinds of problems for the home defence and it was the three of them that combined brilliantly to score the third five minutes into the second half and end the match as a contest. Mike set up the play from the centre of the park and sent Morning scampering once more down the left wing and his pinpoint low cross was triumphantly rammed home by Josh Howard. The Mossley defence seemed determined to keep a clean sheet as Fleetwood refused to lie down and Melville made a superb double save to deny Barnes and Catlow and looked invincible behind the outstanding Mark Phillips and Paul Taylor until five minutes from time when a corner from the right was headed home by Fleetwood centre back Adam Tong for a consolation goal that their performance in truth merited, but it was Mossley who march on into the next round.
Team:
1. Phil Melville (9)
2. Tony Coyne (7) Y
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Mark Phillips (9*)
5. Paul Taylor (8)
6. Shaun Dootson (8)
7. Russ Headley (7)
8. Steve Tobin (8)
9. Leon Mike (8)
10. Josh Howard (8)
11. Adam Morning (8)
Subs:
12. Simon Heaton (7) (for Coyne 70 mins)
14. Rob Matthews (7) (for Howard 74 mins)
15. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (not used)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Mark Phillips...totally commanding and totally committed!
Verdict: Yet another excellent away performance stretching the unbeaten run to 16 games! Bring on anyone!
MOSSLEY EDGE IT IN THRILLER!
Mossley 2 Nantwich Town 1
This match was not for the feint hearted as Mossley took the points in an end to end thriller of a match that had the crowd on their toes for the entire 90 minutes. After being slow out of the blocks in recent games Mossley got off to the perfect start on this occasion when only two minutes in Tony Coyne's short free kick was powerfully driven into the top corner by Steve Tobin from fully thirty yards. The visitors were plainly rattled and struggled to keep Mossley at bay in a spell of intense pressure that was rewarded with a second goal in the 13th minute. Simon Heaton crossed from the right and Tony Carroll finished coolly and with clinical precision when faced one on one with Nantwich keeper Heaps. It was all Mossley and even a mazy run by the impressive Wilkinson failed to worry a strong looking Mossley rearguard. The incident that gave Nantwich hope came in the 27th minute when Leon Mike burst through on the right shrugged off a challenge and crossed from the dead-ball line for Simon Heaton to knock home from close range only for the referees assistant to inexplicably raise his flag for off-side for what would surely have been the killer goal. With Nantwich having nothing to lose they came out all guns blazing after the break and Dawson had a great chance when he shook off Paul Taylor's challenge but his shot was awful. This wasn't going to rattle Nantwich though and they surged forward again with Wilkinson and Phoenix constantly probing, finally getting their reward in the 63rd minute with something of a fluke goal. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi miscued his clearance which hit Wes Wilkinson and the lively Nantwich striker was able to roll the ball into an empty net. The game became increasingly stretched with Nantwich scrapping desperately for an equaliser while Mossley looked increasingly threatening on the break. A couple more dubious off-sides and some ridiculously pedantic refereeing weren't helping Mossley's cause though and after Nantwich had gotten away with some late challenges they were finally brought to book when Phoenix lunged dangerously at Russ Headley and was instantly red-carded. Mossley were unlucky when a mazy run and great shot by substitute Mario Daniel was brilliantly saved by Heaps while at the other end the Mossley defence was courage personified and didn't allow a useful looking Nantwich side any clear chances. In the end Mossley deserved the points for their sheer persistence and never-say-die attitude.
Team:
1. Jean-Paul Ndjebayi (7)
2. Josh Howard (8)
3. Steve Sheil (7)
4. Mark Phillips (9*)
5. Paul Taylor (8) Y
6. Tony Coyne (8) Y
7. Simon Heaton (7)
8. Steve Tobin (7)
9. Tony Carroll (8)
10. Leon Mike (7)
11. Russ Headley (7)
Subs:
12. Shaun Dootson (not used)
14. Mario Daniel (7) (for Mike 56 mins)
15. Adam Morning (7) (for Headley 75 mins)
Mossleyweb Man of the Match: Mark Phillips, totally dominant and impeccably resolved!
Verdict: Pure entertainment, excellent win against a decent side!