Mossley made hard work indeed of completing an early season 'double' over Rossendale United at Seel Park on Tuesday night. Finally edging out the plucky visitors by the odd goal in nine.
Rossendale with former Mossley understudy keeper Mark Molyneaux installed as manager were keen to cause an upset and caused problems all night with a barrage of deep crosses and a shoot on sight policy!
With goalkeeper Lee Bracey a late withdrawal after a freak domestic accident, 19 year old local keeper Matthew Taylor was called in as a late replacement and he made a couple of confident early saves before Mossley took the lead in the 33rd minute with a typical Leon Mike solo effort. Mossley's big number 9 confidently fending off several challenges before finishing with aplomb from 20 yards.
Seven minutes later though and the Stags were level. Dean Cooper finishing off a neat move down the right.
Mossley's response was instant as within a minute Leon Mike set up Rhodri Giggs who drilled the ball into the bottom corner with an 18 yard angled shot from the right.
Dean Cooper scored his second and Rossendale's second equaliser five minutes before the break. This after Jamie Baguley had seen his twice taken free kick bounce off the bar.
Twelve minutes after the break and Mossley took the lead for the third time when Steve Sheil powerfully headed home Jordan Goodeve's left wing corner.
Amazingly, Mossley's defensive frailties showed up again as Bradley Clegg headed home from a corner in the 62nd minute and then Stuart Tulloch reacted quickest to give Rossendale the lead for the first time on the night after Taylor had parried Cooper's 20 yarder just three minutes later.
Mossley weren't finished though and Leon Mike made the space to set up Chris Downey who finished well right footed with 14 minutes remaining for his 10th goal of the season.
A maddeningly end to end game was wrapped up by man of the match Leon Mike who held off several challenges with great strength and some tricky footwork before finishing superbly past his former team-mate Molyneaux. Leon now joining Chris Downey on ten goals for the season.
Mossley are always a threat going forward, but with Paul Taylor and loan signing Paul Murphy both injured and Dave Brown not fully match fit there were obvious problems in defence that need to be quickly eradicated if Mossley are to push for the top six finish that the management and fans so crave!