Mossley v Whitby Town

'Ref's errors are ever so costly'
Mossley 1 Witton Albion 2

UniBond League Premier Division

Tuesday 10th October 2006 @ Seel Park, Mossley

Mossley (White & Black)

Witton Albion (Yellow & Red)

1. Danny Trueman (7)

1. Worsnop

2. Andy Thackeray (7)

2. Hockenhull X

3. Nicky Thompson (7)

3. Brownhill

4. Joel Pilkington (6) X

4. Pritchard

5. Danny White X

5. Spearitt

6. Gary Furnival (8)

6. Peers

7. Christian Cooke (8)

7. Bowler

8. Melford Knight (c) (7)

8. Connors

9. Peter Wright (7)

9. Warlow X

10. Steve Burke (6)

10. Sanasay X

11. Joe Shaw (8)

11. Whalley

12. Rob Edwards (for White 25)

12. Moseley (for Warlow)

14. Rob Dawson (for Pilkington 65)

14. Brown (for Hockenhull)

15. Conor Lynch (not used)

15. Frost (for Sanasay)

MOSSLEYWEB MAN OF THE MATCH Gary Furnival

Half Time: 0-1

Full Time: 1-2

Goals:

Knight (71)

Peers (19), Whalley (75)

Mossley, after being awarded the September Fair Play award prior to kick off, ended the game with three yellow cards and a red. The Lilywhites were also victims of at least four very poor refereeing decisions as the they went down to a second successive 2-1 defeat, this time at the hands of a pacey and more than useful Witton Albion side.

Witton bossed the eraly stages of the game and Mossley's cause wasn't helped by a first half injury to key central defender Danny White. A defensive reshuffle meant Rob Edwards slotting in at left back and Nicky Thompson switching to the centre.

After creating a couple of half chances Witton opened the scoring on 19 minutes but it was thanks in part to a shocking refereeing decision. Melford Knight won a terrific tackle just outside the Mossley box but referee Mr Hargreaves of Halifax decided otherwise and Mark Peers curled the resultant free kick around the Mossley wall and into the near corner.

Mossley finally found their feet after a disappointing first half hour that had seen the visitors dominate possession for lengthy periods. Peter Wright was blatently tugged to the floor in the box, but the referee deemed him the offender before the hard working Mossley number 9 brought a fine save out of Worsnop. In further Mossley raids Joe Shaw and Melford Knight fired narrowly wide as Mossley finished the half with more hope.

Witton again forced the early pace after the break and Trueman needed to be alert to a couple of testing Witton shots. Mossley foraged hard but with little reward, that was until the 71st minute. Steve Burke managed to get a foot on Worsnop's clearance and chased the ball out wide to the left. Playing a quick one two with substitute Rob Dawson he crossed well for Melford Knight to power home a header from eight yards.

Melford Knight . . . headed equaliser

Both sides would probably have settled for a point at this stage as play became compressed in midfield but the referee thought otherwise. Melford Knight was blatently fouled just outside the Witton box as Mossley attacked with purpose but the man in black allowed play to continue despite Mossley protests. A long diagonal clearance to the right wing found the ever dangerous Shaun Whalley who produced a sublime 20 yard lob over the outstretched Trueman for what proved to be the winner.

Mr Hargreaves hadn't finished rubbing salt in Mossley's wounds though as he then sent off Rob Edwards a couple of minutes from time after the Mossley substitute had made a fine covering tackle on Whalley just outside the Mossley box. The free kick came to nought but Knight earned a yellow card for questioning the decision. Christian Cooke and Peter Wright had also earlier been yellow carded for minor offences.