Despite the negative result, this was a much improved performance by the Mossley youngsters following the 4-0 hammering by the same opposition the previous Sunday.

Mossley were able to recall Jake Hibbs and Saul Henderson to the side and the highly promising duo both performed well but it was defensive frailties that again reared their ugly head and inevitably proved costly as the Lilywhites slipped out of their second cup competition in successive Sundays. This time it was the Neil Thomason Trophy - competed for by the twelve teams in the NWYA Premier Division.

The game was played at a high tempo and was thoroughly competitive throughout and as is usual in the rivals meetings, not without controversy.

Both sides had wasted half chances before the visitors took the lead somewhat against the run of play in the 24th minute. Poizer's low driven free kick out on the right corner of the penalty area was turned home by Kial Callacher as the Mossley defence and keeper appeared momentarily frozen to the spot.

Boland was nearly gifted a second FC United goal when another defensive error let the visitors player in but he was unable to capitalize and Mossley survived.

Omar McKenzie who had a couple of sighters from set pieces had Mossley’s best chance of the half but fired narrowly wide.

FC United were gifted a second goal in the 36th minute. Mossley keeper Nick Howard fumbled a corner and after a brief melee Richard Smith headed home from close range as the Mossley defence again failed to react quickest.

Matthew Boland scored the killer goal just before the break when he fired home a right wing cross after a neat United move.

Justin Schall replaced the injured Jack Beswick at the interval and Mossley began the second period with more purpose and were desperately unlucky not to reduce the arrears when Saul Henderson hammered a shot goalwards only to see it ricochet off the underside of the bar and bounce away to safety despite Bezzina's best efforts to reach the rebound.

Mossley finally and deservedly got the goal their endeavour deserved on 65 minutes when Adam Bezzina slipped through a defensive gap to fire home and give Mossley renewed hope.

The referee presented several yellow cards to FC United players in the second half as the visitors flew late into several tackles and it was no real surprise when Connor Noughton saw red for a second bookable offence, reducing the visitors to ten players.

Mossley pressed hard for a second goal but it wouldn't come and then a couple of minutes from time Andy McKernon, who had had an outstanding game for the Mossley, was given a harsh second yellow card for a foul despite minimal contact with his opponent leaving both sides to finish the game a player short.

As stated this was a much improved showing and if the Mossley boys play with same appetite for the forthcoming games then the nine point gap between top place and Mossley in the League could well quickly close.

Next Sunday the team head for Walshaw Sports in the NWYA Open Cup hoping to earn a place in the semi finals pf a competition that Mossley won last season having beaten Curzon Ashton 3-2 in the final at Ashton Town FC.

Report by Wizard