Mossley 3 Hyde United 2
After a sluggish start Mossley finally got to grips with last season's UniBond Divison One champions Hyde United and in the end were unlucky not to win by a wider margin. Hyde looked by far the more dangerous in the early stages with Mossley appearing a little off the pace, but, after Lee Bracey had made a couple of good saves to deny the visitors it was Mossley who drew first blood on 29 minutes. Tony Coyne and Adam Morning worked a move on the left, the latter fed Leon Mike, who with his back to goal, turned superbly, jinked and curled a low shot out of Hyde keeper Mullock's reach. The lead lasted only four minutes though as Hyde number 7 Dean Johnson strode forward on the right and unleashed a superb 30 yard strike into the top corner giving Bracey no chance. Mossley made only one half time change with Mario Daniel making a surprise return from Leigh RMI, replacing Rhodri Giggs, and the livewire striker caused havoc throughout the second period. However, it was Hyde who edged in front on 52 minutes when Stuart Barrowclough looped home a header from a free kick on the right. Hyde's joy was short lived however, as within a minute Mario Daniel received the ball just over half way, danced around a couple of challenges, played a neat one-two with Leon Mike and sped past the last defender before placing the ball in the bottom corner of the net for an outstanding goal. Daniel again opened the Hyde defence but was this time denied by a goal-line clearance and sub Chris Downey, on for Mike, had a couple of chances to get the winner. At the other end Hyde made a couple of half chances but shot wide while Mossley looking stronger as the game progressed finally got their deserved winner eight minutes from time when Paul Taylor powerfully headed home Adam Morning's right wing corner leaving Mossley fans eager for the new season's opener on Saturday week!
Team: Lee Bracey, Matty Taylor, Steve Sheil, Gavinlee Ellison, Paul Taylor, Tony Coyne, Jordan Goodeve, Steve Tobin, Leon Mike, Rhodri Giggs, Adam Morning. subs. Mario Daniel, Shaun Dootson, Chris Downey.
Ashton United 2 Mossley 0
Mossley went down to a goal in each half in almost unbearable heat at Hurst Cross this afternoon. The Lilywhites without several key players played some flowing football in the first half prompted by the graft of the in form Shaun Dootson and created the best chances with Craig Fleming seeing his effort from a narrow angle spectacularly cleared off the line before the home side took the lead against the run of play in the 17th minute. The impressive Steve Smith sped past a couple of tackles on the left and beat stand-in goalkeeper Mark Molyneux from a difficult angle. Ashton then had a spell of pressure that the Mossley defence comfortably soaked up and then at the other end Leon Mike struck the bar with a dipping 20 yarder. Five minutes after the break Ashton doubled their lead when Ellison lost control and Dean Johnson stole in to finish well. Mossley somehow lost their fluency and possession was conceded too often and too easily allowing Ashton to retain the initiative and although the approach play looked impressive the final ball into the box was often poor and chances were limited and it was Ashton who collected the first silverware of the new season.
Team: Mark Molyneux, Tony Coyne, Phil Drummond, Gavinlee Ellison, Paul Taylor, Shaun Dootson, Josh Howard, Steve Tobin, Leon Mike, Craig Fleming, John Hore. subs: Jordan Goodeve, Adam Morning, Jason Van Blerk, Steve Sheil.
Mossley 4 Stockport County 4
Mossley staged a remarkable late comeback against a strong Stockport County side at Seel Park tonight after going 4-1 down with just 18 minutes left on the clock. All this after a goalless first half that had seen the visitors create the majority of chances only to be foiled by some smart goalkeeping by Lee Bracey. At the other end Chris Downey, Leon Mike and newcomer John Hore all went close. The heavens opened during the half time break and Stockport seemed to find the new weather conditions to their liking taking the lead just two minutes in through a superb Stuart Barlow lobbed shot. Mossley stung into action and when Adam Morning's great run earned a corner on the left the same player played Josh Howard in short on the edge of the box and the lively Mossley midfielder curled a great shot into the top corner from 18 yards. Stuart Barlow put County back in front on 57 minutes with another cool finish and only a fine save by Bracey prevented the same player completing his hat-trick. Matt Bailey capitalised on Bracey's error to to score a third on 67 minutes and Gary Newby gave Stockport a seemingly unassailable lead five minutes later. Mossley refused to lie down though and were thrown a distant lifeline when Alan Bailey headed home Morning's brilliant left wing cross just nine minutes from time. Three minutes to go and Rhodri Giggs made it 3-4 when he followed up well after Coppinger had spilled Howard's long range effort. Unbelievably Mossley were back in the game and nearly equalized when a great six man move ended with the keeper saving well from the marauding Jason Van Blerk and then Giggs was a centimeter from connecting with Bailey's cross from the right. With almost the last kick of the game Mossley forged an equalizer. Morning again provided an inch perfect cross from the left and Rhodri Giggs was on hand to turn the ball home earning Mossley great applause for a remarkable comeback against their full time opposition.
Team: Lee Bracey, Matty Taylor, Phil Drummond, Gavinlee Ellison, Paul Taylor, Carl Rezai, Josh Howard, Shaun Dootson, Leon Mike, Chris Downey, John Hore. subs. Rhodri Giggs, Alan Bailey, Adam Morning, Jason Van Blerk, Craig Fleming.
Mossley 1 Droylsden 1
Apart from spells at the beginning of each half Mossley more than held their own against Conference North founder members Droylsden at Seel Park this afternoon. The Bloods featuring former Mossley striker Ciaran Kilheeney opened well and put the Mossley defence under pressure without creating any clear openings while at the other end as Mossley, playing 4-3-3 in the first half, eased into contention and Leon Mike and Chris Downey were proving a handful for the visistors defence. Mossley scored what appeared a perfectly legitimate goal on 30 minutes when Downey netted the rebound after the keeper had only parried Jordan Goodeve's effort, but the ref's assistant raised a flag for a particularly unlikely looking off-side decision. Eight minutes later though and Droylsden had the lead when Drummond was unluckily penalised for hand ball when protecting his face from a close range shot and Gareth Morris scored from the spot. Mossley worked hard to redress the balance but switching to 4-4-2 after the break found themselves again on the back foot for 15-20 minutes as Droylsden played some incisive football without really threatening the Mossley goal. When the equaliser finally arrived it was richly deserved. A spell of Mossley pressure instigated by Rhodri Giggs ended with a Mossley corner on the left and as Droylsden failed to clear first time Mike held the ball up for Gavinlee Ellison to score from six yards. Downey, Giggs and Morning all had half chances as Mossley finished the stronger side and the Lilywhites can be generally pleased with this performance against a team two divisions higher in the pyramid.
Team: Lee Bracey, Tony Coyne, Phil Drummond, Dave Brown, Paul Taylor, Carl Rezai, Jordan Goodeve, Steve Tobin, Leon Mike, Chris Downey, Shaun Dootson. subs. Kieren Westwood, Gavinlee Ellison, Craig Fleming, Rhodri Giggs, Adam Morning.
Mossley 1 Oldham Athletic 3
An unfamiliar Mossley line up played their second game in 24 hours against a strong but youthful Oldham Athletic side at Seel Park tonight. The Latics got off to the expected good start and had already created a couple of half chances before Mark Tierney gave them an 8th minute lead when a corner wasn't cleared. Mossley began to make an impression with Josh Howard causing Oldham plenty of problems and it was the highly skilful Howard who opened the visitors defence up for the equaliser in the 20th minute when his run and pass set up former Macclesfield Town teenager Jordan Goodeve on the right, who controlled well before dispatching a fine shot into the bottom corner. After the interval the full timers fitness began to tell and the Latics edged in front when Chris Hall headed home from a corner in the 50th minute. Oldham chased and harassed Mossley for every ball and were fairly dominant in midfield but the third goal was harsh on Mossley when substitute Chris Taylor scored with a lucky rebound on 67 minutes. In all it was a hard working performance by a Mossley side who had all, bar Dave Brown and Gavinlee Ellison, played the previous night and the hard work put in now will surely pay dividends when the season starts in earnest next month.
Team: Lee Bracey, Tony Coyne, Phil Drummond, Gavinlee Ellison, Paul Taylor, Carl Rezai, Jordan Goodeve, Steve Tobin, Craig Fleming, Chris Downey, Josh Howard. subs. Arthur Mandas, Dave Brown, Danny Grant.
Trafford 1 Mossley 3
Mossley got stronger as the game wore on at Shawe View tonight and in the end deservedly beat a skilful Trafford side. Trafford started the brighter and created a couple of half chances but failed to trouble Mossley's debutant former Manchester City goalkeeper Kieren Westwood. As the half wore on Mossley came more into the game and took the lead on 25 minutes when Adam Morning's inch perfect left wing cross was volleyed home from close range by Danny Grant. Trafford equalled and even nullified Mossley's pass and move game for much of the half but began to falter after the break when both sides introduced a number of substitutes. It was a hopefully uncharacteristic blunder by second half keeper Lee Bracey that allowed Trafford a soft equaliser as he failed to hold a speculative Lundy shot and Liam Ralph rolled home the rebound. As the half progressed Mossley became almost totally dominant and deservedly regained the lead after a spell of pressure in the 78th minute. Australian trialist Arthur Mandas crossed from deep on the right and the again impressive Chris Downey controlled well and stroked the ball home from six yards. Downey was on the mark again four minutes from time when he rounded off a great move down the left involving Steve Tobin and Danny Grant.
Team: Kieren Westwood, Carl Rezai, Phil Drummond, Dave Brown, Steve Sheil, Jordan Goodeve, Danny Grant, Tony Coyne, Craig Fleming, Josh Howard, Adam Morning. subs. Lee Bracey, Arthur Mandas, Matty Taylor, Paul Taylor, Jason Van Blerk, Steve Tobin, Chris Downey.
Mossley 6 Aigburth PH 1
Mossley strolled to a comfortable 6 goal win against Liverpool Combination side Aigburth for the second successive pre-season. The Lilywhites were in charge throughout the game despite making eight half time changes. Mossley took the lead in the 18th minute when Morning and Downey combined on the left and the latter crossed low for Craig Fleming to roll into an empty net. The lead was doubled ten minutes later as Fleming returned the compliment setting up Chris Downey who's first touch somehow found his own head and he looped his header over the stranded Aigburth keeper. Jordan Goodeve set up the third on 55 minutes as his pass released Josh Howard who easily rounded the keeper to score. Aigburth reduced the arrears when trialist defender Chris McGrath was adjudged to have fouled and the experienced John Quayle scored from the spot. Three minutes later Mossley were on the mark again when Leon Mike curled a twenty yarder into the bottom corner and Mike scored again three minutes later when he forged through a gap to slot home from 10 yards. The sixth goal was made and finished by Danny Grant who raced up the right touch line from half way cut inside played a one-two with Josh Howard and rounded the keeper top score a fine goal and complete the scoring in the 85th minute.
Team: Matthew Taylor, Tony Coyne, Phil Drummond, Carl Rezai, Paul Taylor, Steve Sheil, Danny Grant, Steve Tobin, Craig Fleming, Chris Downey, Adam Morning. subs. Arthur Mandas, Jason Van Blerk, Shaun Dootson, Gavinlee Ellison, Chris McGrath, Jordan Goodeve, Josh Howard, Leon Mike.
Mossley 2 Castleton Gabriels 0
Mossley's preparations for the new season were almost scuppered when Flixton withdrew from the scheduled fixture at the eleventh hour. Fortunately and thankfully Flixton's fellow NWCL Division 2 side Castleton Gabriels stepped into the breach and provided Mossley with an almost ideal pipe opener. The Lilywhites domination of the game was almost total with Gabs goalkeeper having a superb game to keep Mossley at bay almost songle handedly at times. Castleton for their part attempted to play constructive football but were limited in their success by a solid looking Mossley defence marshalled well by debutant keeper Lee Bracey. Leon Mike, Chris Downey and Adam Morning were causing havoc in the visitors defence and all three had chances to open the scoring with Downey coming closest when his fierce dipping shot came back off the bar. Mossley finally got the lead their excellent approach play deserved on 27 minutes. Debutant Carl Rezai chipped through for Chris Downey (pictured) who controlled on his chest before blasting home a stunning drive from an awkward angle ten yards out on the left.
Team: Lee Bracey, Matty Taylor, Phil Drummond, Dave Brown, Steve Sheil, Carl Rezai, Josh Howard, Shaun Dootson, Leon Mike, Chris Downey, Adam Morning. subs. Paul Taylor, Craig Fleming, Steve Tobin, Arthur Mandas, Danny Grant, Jordan Goodeve, Jason Van Blerk.2002-03 archived match reports click here
2001-02 archived match reports click here
