The reserves travelled to Woodley Sports FC on Saturday to take on local rivals Stalybridge Celtic in a Galaxy Lancashire League game.

From the kick off the home team were quickly out of the blocks and began to move the ball about smartly on the 3G surface, while Mossley uncharacteristically surrendered possession, unchallenged far to often.

Stalybridge front line of Dennis Sheriff and Mossley old boy Matthew Chadwick kept the Mossley back four on theirs toes with some decent movement off the ball and on 9 minuets Alex Chesters was booked for a tackle on his old team mate that left Chadwick needing treatment.

On 15 minuets Stalybridge made the breakthrough when Mark Pyatt picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and hit a thunderous shot into the top corner of the Mossley goal giving keeper Xavier Parisi no chance.

From the restart Mossley began to get their act together and move the ball about stretching the home teams back line. Osebi Abadaki returning from a knee injury, put Mossley level on 22 minuets when he raced clear of the home teams defence before firing home.

Abadaki, Fabio Abreu and Antony Dorney were know threatening to run riot with their pace and strength and on 28 minuets Abadaki again breached the Stalybridge back four but with only goal keeper Ashley Hall to beat he was crudely pulled down by Josh Bennett. With the opportunity being as clear cut goal scoring opportunity as you will see, the referee amazingly only brandish a yellow card for Bennett.

However, justice was done on 35 minuets when Dorney broke down the left flank, cut into the area and smashed a shot goal ward that deflected of the hapless Bennett to put Mossley 2-1 in front at the break.

From the restart Mossley continued to dominate the game, breaking at will and teasing the home side. With Sheriff being replaced at the break by Lloyd Dube, the potentially dangerous Chadwick decided to try his luck down the right flank but was marshalled superbly by Andy McKernon who was able to light the proverbial cigar, well before the final whistle.

On 68 minuets, the game threatened to boil over when Jordon Cuff slipped and collided with Stalybridge keeper Hall, who completely over reacted to the situation and in the melee that followed both Abreu and the Stalybridge Captain Orson Cummings were shown yellow cards, Hall being very lucky not to receive one for his part in the incident.

Although Stalybridge did manage to raise a salvo in the last few minuets, they were unable to create any chances, with Parisi finishing the half without having to make a save.

Report by Rob Byrne