Trilogies rarely end well. No matter how lauded the first and/or second in a series is, the third is more often than not regarded as something of a disappointment.
For instance, if you're a regular cinema goer you can't have helped but notice that, barring one exception, the third parts of various franchises released for the publics pleasure this summer have been, at best, mediocre. The question as Mossley and Woodley embarked on their third meeting in three days was, with little excellence from the the previous two outings, could they buck the trend and provide a barnstorming finale?
The eventual answer was yes and no. Whereas Woodley had all the dynamism, invention and sleekness of The Bourne Ultimatum, Mossley displayed the tiredness and predictability that made Rush Hour 3 a chore. Although it has to be said, thankfully without the irritatingly squeaky voice of Chris Tucker.
To paraphrase a saying from another walk of life, a week is a long time in football. Especially so when you're facing the same team for the third time in that period after two less than sparkling encounters.
As one Mossley fan pointed out to me during the second half as the game ambled towards its then inevitable conclusion, the review for this game could just read “Ditto!” Or, if you wanted to expand on that, “See last report.” It wouldn't be too far from the truth either as both this and the defeat to Woodley days earlier had both a similar rhythm and, sadly for the Lilywhite's, a similar outcome.
Not for the first time this season this season Mossley were having trouble converting a bright opening spell into anything productive. At times the approach play was very good and they got in and around the box on numerous occasions but the lack of a killer final ball to create chances and, ultimately, goals was to prove be home sides undoing yet again. Other than a Martin Allison shot from around the penalty spot, following some good hold-up play by Kitson Gayle, that was blocked on its path to goal by Marsh, Mossley were confined to shooting high, wide and tamely from distance.
Apart from a very early scare when Leon Grandison shot wide after getting on the end of a hefty clearance, the extra heading power added to Mossley's reshuffled defence through the introduction of Darren Royle meant that Woodley's long ball approach, a dominant feature of their play in the previous two games, wasn't proving quite as productive as it had been. Unfortunately it provided them with the opportunity to show they had more than one string to their bow.
On 27 minutes the visitors were allowed the time and space in midfield to present Mario Daniel with the opportunity to run at Mossley's back-pedalling defence and following the odd twist and turn later he was celebrating his second goal of the week against his former club. The remainder of the half from that point on was practically one way traffic with Woodley twice going close to doubling their lead through Paul Derrick and Daniel again.
There was a sigh of relief as Mossley reached the interval without conceding again but in the space of five minutes early in the second half the game was done and dusted as a contest. Mario Daniel used his low centre of gravity to outmanoeuvre Lee Connor in a tussle for the ball and embarked on a twenty yard run which ended with him slotting the ball past Ashley Connor for the second time in the match. Then, on the hour mark, a neat one-two on the right blew Mossley's defence wide open and Leon Grandison's long, raking cross was turned in at the back post by Robinson.
The visitors had chances to make the scoreline even more emphatic as Mossley virtually crumbled. Gaps appeared with increasing regularity and at times all Woodley were doing was walking towards the goal. The eventual substitutions of Mossley's tormentors-in-chief, Robinson and Daniel (an act of mercy if ever there was one), went some way to damming the flow of attacks heading Ashley Connor's way but the damage had already been done.
It wasn't until the 67th minute that Mossley actually forced visiting keeper Liam Higginbotham (wearing a quite horrific day-glo, skin tight shirt) into earning his match fee and it came through their best passage of play for quite some time. Leevan Brown provided one of the home sides few telling crosses of the afternoon which Paul Garvey intelligently headed back into the path of Gareth Hamlet on the edge of the box. The former Halifax player then produced a thunderous effort that the Woodley keeper did well to deflect wide. From the resultant corner Martin Allison had Higginbotham flying to his right to keep out another goal bound shot but that was it as Mossley's response to being three goals down.
The final score line could have been worse for Mossley as Derrick, Wild and Hanlon went close to adding to it; the latter denied via a combination of an instinctive Connor save and the crossbar when Mossley appeared to switch-off as a collective after conceding a corner.
It would be nice to be able to argue that the 3 – 0 result gives an unfair reflection of the game but the truth is that flatters Mossley's slightly – the defeat certainly could (and should?) have been a heavier one.
Taking the results out of the equation and speaking purely and simply as a Mossley fan, by far the most disappointing thing about the past week has been that whilst Woodley have noticeably improved, Mossley have, if anything, gone backwards. There's a long road ahead of us and the last thing we need is to be at this early stage of the journey is stuck in reverse.
It's very easy to get despondent after a match like this one, particularly as there was little of note to be positive about, but as everyone is aware, we're an ongoing project and not the finished article. And I'm more confident that this past week is likely to be the nadir rather than a stopping of point on the way to it as similar performances at this stage of last season proved to be.
If by Christmas we're still having trouble passing accurately to someone within whispering distance then we're fully entitled to start thinking that things may not be going to plan but until then it's a question of faith and trust. And at least we know that when we hit on that winning formula it won't be sacrificed on the altar of ego's and self-aggrandisement. At which point my legal team insist I add the following word – allegedly.
Go On... Have A Guess Who's Next
Here it is - the game you've all been waiting for! Sorry... my mistake, it's Mossley vs. Woodley. Again.
This has be a good one as a hat-trick of, lets say, 'less than interesting' games is surely an impossibility. But just in case things don't get any better, you may want to jot down a few numbers from here. I believe they're taking on extra people in readiness.
Prior to last Tuesday, our previous home fixture against Woodley took place on Boxing Day 2005. The Lilywhites got off to a fantastic start, scoring in the opening ten minutes, but Woodley quickly replied with two goals of their own and should have been out of site by the interval: they were that dominant. Happily for us they did some laurel resting in the second half and allowed us to claim a valuable point in our quest for the league title.
In terms of league games we actually have a good record against Woodley at Seel Park so fingers crossed for third time lucky.
Prediciton: If we repreat the drive we showed in the second half at Cheadle and couple it with kind of passing we only saw in brief installments on Tuesday, we'll win.
And we will.
This has be a good one as a hat-trick of, lets say, 'less than interesting' games is surely an impossibility. But just in case things don't get any better, you may want to jot down a few numbers from here. I believe they're taking on extra people in readiness.
Prior to last Tuesday, our previous home fixture against Woodley took place on Boxing Day 2005. The Lilywhites got off to a fantastic start, scoring in the opening ten minutes, but Woodley quickly replied with two goals of their own and should have been out of site by the interval: they were that dominant. Happily for us they did some laurel resting in the second half and allowed us to claim a valuable point in our quest for the league title.
In terms of league games we actually have a good record against Woodley at Seel Park so fingers crossed for third time lucky.
Prediciton: If we repreat the drive we showed in the second half at Cheadle and couple it with kind of passing we only saw in brief installments on Tuesday, we'll win.
And we will.
A Death in the Family
It's with the deepest regret that I have to announce the passing of an integral member of Mossley80.
After four and a bit years of covering Mossley through wind, rain, hail, sleet and snow, my trusty digital camera has died.
It developed complications during the Woodley game at Cheadle last Sunday and, though it rallied briefly on Monday, it made its way to the Pearly AND, OR and NOT Gates of Digital Heaven just before kick-off on Tuesday.
It will be greatly missed and leaves behind four batteries, a mini USB lead and an owner who now has a bit of a problem.
R.I.P Nikon Coolpix 2100
After four and a bit years of covering Mossley through wind, rain, hail, sleet and snow, my trusty digital camera has died.
It developed complications during the Woodley game at Cheadle last Sunday and, though it rallied briefly on Monday, it made its way to the Pearly AND, OR and NOT Gates of Digital Heaven just before kick-off on Tuesday.
It will be greatly missed and leaves behind four batteries, a mini USB lead and an owner who now has a bit of a problem.
R.I.P Nikon Coolpix 2100
Mossley 1 - 2 Woodley Sports
In football journalism there's a stock phrase that's used when teams taste defeat in a cup competition: they 'crash' out. Unfortunately I can't use it in this instance as Mossley exited this season's FA Cup at the hands of Woodley with all the bang of a wet firework.
I think the two big hopes harboured for this replay by those who witnessed the initial meeting between the two sides in Cheadle were for i) better weather and ii) a better game.
Well, one out of two wasn't bad.
After 27 minutes with nothing more than the occasional half chance for either side, the first bit of real football on the night gave Mossley the lead. Some quick thinking by Paul Garvey allowed the Lilywhites' number seven to beat Woodley's offside trap and after powering down the right hand side of the pitch his cross was turned in from close range by Kitson Gayle.
Eight minutes later the scores were once again at a deadlock when the visitors capitalised on a series of Mossley errors. Sloppy passing, some ineffectual tackling and the failure to pick up players making attacking runs all combined to give a Woodley player as much time as he wanted to deliver a ball from the right wing, level with the edge of the Mossley penalty area.
Despite being afforded all the time in the world in which to produce a killer final ball, the eventual cross appeared to carry no threat at all. But as it bounced across the face of the Mossley goal James Riordan fluffed a clearance and Hanlon was given the opportunity to tap the ball into the net from a matter of yards at the back post.
Following a couple of early scares immediately after half-time (Watson in particular should have done better than screw his shot wide after being given time to turn on the corner of the six yard box), Mossley produced what was, in footballing terms, their best spell of the game. For the first time in the match there appeared to be a concerted effort to keep the ball on the grass and the passing and movement off the ball started to cause some noticeable fluster in the Woodley defence.
The highlight was a flowing move involving Farrand, Butters and Hamlet which gave Gayle an opening that saw Higginbotham tested for the first time since the opening goal. Sadly it was to be the last time as well; the mini-period of good football disappearing almost as quickly as it had arrived to allow the 'long ball' to reign supreme once again. The problem for Mossley though was that the visitors were much more adept at it.
The final third of the match was spent almost exclusively in the Mossley half as the Lambeth Grove side started to exploit the gaps appearing in Mossley's back line and their hosts match long inability to close down the man on the ball. It wasn't until the introduction of Mario Daniel and his pace though that the visitors really began to threaten.
With eight minutes left the former Mossley player should have given his side the lead but like Watson at the start of the half his shot resulted in a goal kick despite being unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. Three minutes later the visitors were given an even better chance to bring Mossley's FA Cup adventure to a disappointingly early finish.
Once again Mossley's inability to clear the ball gave Hanlon a run on goal that was only halted by an 'illegal' challenge in the box. Matthew Butters did appear to get a touch on the ball as he slid in but what you couldn't tell from the distance I saw the incident at was how much of the man he got as well. Besides, coming in from behind, especially in the penalty area, is always risky option and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Hanlon struck his penalty well but the save Ashley Connor produced to prevent it from hitting the back of the net was surpassed a second later by his stop from the shot that resulted from rebound; two outstanding saves that kept the next round and the much needed prize money within reach. They should have also shaken Mossley out of their torpor but Connor's heroics were ultimately to have been in vain.
There's a saying that those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them and so it proved as the match entered stoppage time. Another failure to deal properly with a ball in defence and another poor challenge allowed Mario Daniel to cut into the box from the left and power a shot that flew past Connor and in off the post. Even if Mossley had got lucky and the ball had rebounded out off the upright, Hanlon was unmarked in the middle of the area, anticipating such an occurrence.
The final whistle that soon followed dashed what little hope there was of Mossley forcing an extra thirty minutes, though to be fair I don't think there was any stomach on the terraces to sit through another half hour of similar fare – prize money at stake or not.
As Jonathan Ross once infamously announced on his film programme, "You can't polish a t*rd" so to describe this match as anything other than the poor game that it was would be an insult to those who paid good money to watch it. Honestly I'd love to be able to find a positive spin to put on this performance but apart from another highly impressive display of goalkeeping by Mossley's custodian there was very little to be enthused about.
I know that it's still relatively early days and that people will be quick to bounce the 'gel' word around but Mossley's problems stemmed from more fundamental problems than a lack of familiarity with one another. Let's not forget that in terms of building a new team Woodley are in exactly the same boat as us; the difference was that they weren't making some really basic errors but they were punishing us for ours.
Having said that I think everyone expected a few matches like this in the early stages of the season. The disappointment comes from not only it being in the FA Cup but coming so soon after a couple of games where real progress had appeared to have been made.
Oh well, at least the weather was nice.
I think the two big hopes harboured for this replay by those who witnessed the initial meeting between the two sides in Cheadle were for i) better weather and ii) a better game.
Well, one out of two wasn't bad.
After 27 minutes with nothing more than the occasional half chance for either side, the first bit of real football on the night gave Mossley the lead. Some quick thinking by Paul Garvey allowed the Lilywhites' number seven to beat Woodley's offside trap and after powering down the right hand side of the pitch his cross was turned in from close range by Kitson Gayle.
Eight minutes later the scores were once again at a deadlock when the visitors capitalised on a series of Mossley errors. Sloppy passing, some ineffectual tackling and the failure to pick up players making attacking runs all combined to give a Woodley player as much time as he wanted to deliver a ball from the right wing, level with the edge of the Mossley penalty area.
Despite being afforded all the time in the world in which to produce a killer final ball, the eventual cross appeared to carry no threat at all. But as it bounced across the face of the Mossley goal James Riordan fluffed a clearance and Hanlon was given the opportunity to tap the ball into the net from a matter of yards at the back post.
Following a couple of early scares immediately after half-time (Watson in particular should have done better than screw his shot wide after being given time to turn on the corner of the six yard box), Mossley produced what was, in footballing terms, their best spell of the game. For the first time in the match there appeared to be a concerted effort to keep the ball on the grass and the passing and movement off the ball started to cause some noticeable fluster in the Woodley defence.
The highlight was a flowing move involving Farrand, Butters and Hamlet which gave Gayle an opening that saw Higginbotham tested for the first time since the opening goal. Sadly it was to be the last time as well; the mini-period of good football disappearing almost as quickly as it had arrived to allow the 'long ball' to reign supreme once again. The problem for Mossley though was that the visitors were much more adept at it.
The final third of the match was spent almost exclusively in the Mossley half as the Lambeth Grove side started to exploit the gaps appearing in Mossley's back line and their hosts match long inability to close down the man on the ball. It wasn't until the introduction of Mario Daniel and his pace though that the visitors really began to threaten.
With eight minutes left the former Mossley player should have given his side the lead but like Watson at the start of the half his shot resulted in a goal kick despite being unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. Three minutes later the visitors were given an even better chance to bring Mossley's FA Cup adventure to a disappointingly early finish.
Once again Mossley's inability to clear the ball gave Hanlon a run on goal that was only halted by an 'illegal' challenge in the box. Matthew Butters did appear to get a touch on the ball as he slid in but what you couldn't tell from the distance I saw the incident at was how much of the man he got as well. Besides, coming in from behind, especially in the penalty area, is always risky option and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Hanlon struck his penalty well but the save Ashley Connor produced to prevent it from hitting the back of the net was surpassed a second later by his stop from the shot that resulted from rebound; two outstanding saves that kept the next round and the much needed prize money within reach. They should have also shaken Mossley out of their torpor but Connor's heroics were ultimately to have been in vain.
There's a saying that those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them and so it proved as the match entered stoppage time. Another failure to deal properly with a ball in defence and another poor challenge allowed Mario Daniel to cut into the box from the left and power a shot that flew past Connor and in off the post. Even if Mossley had got lucky and the ball had rebounded out off the upright, Hanlon was unmarked in the middle of the area, anticipating such an occurrence.
The final whistle that soon followed dashed what little hope there was of Mossley forcing an extra thirty minutes, though to be fair I don't think there was any stomach on the terraces to sit through another half hour of similar fare – prize money at stake or not.
As Jonathan Ross once infamously announced on his film programme, "You can't polish a t*rd" so to describe this match as anything other than the poor game that it was would be an insult to those who paid good money to watch it. Honestly I'd love to be able to find a positive spin to put on this performance but apart from another highly impressive display of goalkeeping by Mossley's custodian there was very little to be enthused about.
I know that it's still relatively early days and that people will be quick to bounce the 'gel' word around but Mossley's problems stemmed from more fundamental problems than a lack of familiarity with one another. Let's not forget that in terms of building a new team Woodley are in exactly the same boat as us; the difference was that they weren't making some really basic errors but they were punishing us for ours.
Having said that I think everyone expected a few matches like this in the early stages of the season. The disappointment comes from not only it being in the FA Cup but coming so soon after a couple of games where real progress had appeared to have been made.
Oh well, at least the weather was nice.
High And Hopefully Dry
What could be better than playing Woodley twice in a week? Yes, you’re right: almost anything! But thanks to last Sunday’s draw we now get the opportunity to face them three times in seven days. If only you could see the lack of enthusiasm I typed that last sentence with.
All being well the weather will be less Niagara like at Seel Park, allowing a better game to take place. Well that’s the theory anyway. As we know in Mossley, the weather isn't the most predictable of things.
What we can look forward too though I’m sure are more amateur dramatics from Woodley’s semi-professional repertory company. Do look out though for some scarily accurate portrayals of extras in the opening twenty minutes of Saving Private Ryan though when they lose the ball.
Prediction: As I wrote in the last preview, I never get three in a row right hence the decision to tip Woodley for the win, thereby ensuring that they wouldn’t. This time around I’m really not so sure what the eventual result will be - Sunday’s game was hardly the most helpful of pointers.
I’m going to chicken out and say that the match will go to extra-time having made up a new rule that I only predict what the score will be at the end of ninety minutes.
All being well the weather will be less Niagara like at Seel Park, allowing a better game to take place. Well that’s the theory anyway. As we know in Mossley, the weather isn't the most predictable of things.
What we can look forward too though I’m sure are more amateur dramatics from Woodley’s semi-professional repertory company. Do look out though for some scarily accurate portrayals of extras in the opening twenty minutes of Saving Private Ryan though when they lose the ball.
Prediction: As I wrote in the last preview, I never get three in a row right hence the decision to tip Woodley for the win, thereby ensuring that they wouldn’t. This time around I’m really not so sure what the eventual result will be - Sunday’s game was hardly the most helpful of pointers.
I’m going to chicken out and say that the match will go to extra-time having made up a new rule that I only predict what the score will be at the end of ninety minutes.
Woodley Sports 1 - 1 Mossley
Leaving Garforth after the first match of the season I wondered if it was possible to get any wetter whilst watching a football match. It may have been nothing more than an idle thought but I was hoping for a slightly longer gap than two weeks before Mother Nature answered, “Yes!”
The word torrential doesn’t come close to describing the non-stop barrage of rain that turned what should have been an exciting FA Cup encounter between two local-ish rivals into a soggy slog. Not so much Cheadle as Cheadle Flume.
I don’t wish to over exaggerate (okay, maybe a little) but if a player had gone down needing treatment they’d have sent on a lifeboat rather than a physio. Although to be fair, if they had sent on someone with a sponge it’s highly likely that, before they’d got even halfway towards their destination, the sponge would have expanded to a size that could have caused problems for the planes coming in to land at Ringway
Ideally the following report would contain a more accurate account of events but even if I’d have bothered to take note of the few moments of incident I’d now be sat trying to decipher a lump of papier mache.
Unsurprisingly both sides struggled to come to terms with the conditions and chances were a lot like adequate shelter from the elements at the Park Road Stadium: sadly lacking.
The ‘home’ side were certainly the busier of the two teams, be it attacking or keeping the officials ears warm. If whinging was an Olympic sport Woodley would undoubtedly be challenging Bradford Park Avenue to represent Britain next summer in Beijing. Every tackle they lost, every time Mossley beat their shoddily aligned offside trap… in fact I don’t think that there was a point in the game that they didn’t find something, spurious or not, to moan at the referee and his assistants about.
No, I tell a lie, there was one point: when they scored.
Midway through the opening half Matthew Butters misjudged a tackle and the ball zipped beneath him allowing Mario Bryan the opportunity a free run down the right. The former Rochdale player though chose to whip in an impressive first time cross that not only caught the Mossley defence cold but landed inch perfectly on the head of an unmarked Robinson who powered the ball past Ashley Connor. And to be fair to Woodley, on the balance of play it was probably a deserved lead.
They continued to press forward and on more than one occasion Ashley Connor had to come to his side’s assistance as Mossley’s back line became increasingly stretched by Sports’ pace an movement off the ball. As the half drew towards a close though Mossley finally started to ask a few questions of the 'home' defence by giving their front two something to work with.
Kitson Gayle went incredibly close to levelling the game with a shot from the corner of the box that had Liam Higginbotham in the Woodley goal pulling all sorts of shapes in order to cope with the swerve that was on it. Level it they did though as the interval approached.
Paul Garvey fired a free-kick from the left across the face of the Woodley goal and from amongst a mêlée of players at the back post, Richard Conway managed to apply a touch that sent the ball into the back of the net.
If the first half belonged to Woodley, the second belonged to Mossley. Like their hosts in the previous period though they were struggling to convert possession into chances. Gareth Hamlet went close with a header that looped over the bar and David Wallace shot wide after a bursting run into the box but with the weather somehow managing to get even worse, it rapidly became a test of endurance for players and supporters rather than a football match.
In the last five minutes the match burst into a modicum of life. A Woodley break caught Mossley's defence at sixes and sevens and the ball made its way to the feet of Watson unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. However, instead of applying a finish that probably would have won his side the match he stood stock still and watched as the ball hit his leg and rolled off harmlessly for a goal kick.
Mossley responded by almost forcing a Woodley defender into putting a cross into his own net and with the referee putting the whistle to his mouth to signal full-time, Wallace brought a game saving stop out of Higginbotham.
Not the best of games (and some would argue that it didn't meet the standards needed to be described as below average) but a draw was probably the fairest result and both sides survive to do it all again in what will likely be better conditions at Seel Park. I bet you thought you'd never see that - people expecting the weather to be better at Mossley! Credit to Mossley though for clawing their way back into a game that at one stage looked to be going one way.
I'd like to finish by congratulating the person who decided that this fixture should be staged at Cheadle. Sorry, did I say I’d like to congratulate? What I meant was I’d like to grab them by the lapels and shake them whilst screaming “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?”
In a fixture that regularly attracts a good 200+ crowd, the one thing the ground wasn’t awash with was spectators. But that’s the price you pay though when you not only choose to play the game on a Sunday but at an out of the way place too. Cheadle Town may not be in the back of beyond but you can certainly see it from there.
That’s being a tad unfair on Woodley though. The real problem lies with the people who run football in this country. Why, when you can play every other game on it, can’t you play an FA Cup on an artificial surface? Apparently the FA believe it’s better to have their prestige cup competition played at a ground with no turnstiles, a minimal amount of cover and a perimeter fence around its grass cutting strewn pitch that was having its paint washed off by the rain.
With this and things like the Wembley fiasco and the Tevez affair, you begin to realise that the national game is being run by people who couldn't make the door fall off a clown's car.
The word torrential doesn’t come close to describing the non-stop barrage of rain that turned what should have been an exciting FA Cup encounter between two local-ish rivals into a soggy slog. Not so much Cheadle as Cheadle Flume.
I don’t wish to over exaggerate (okay, maybe a little) but if a player had gone down needing treatment they’d have sent on a lifeboat rather than a physio. Although to be fair, if they had sent on someone with a sponge it’s highly likely that, before they’d got even halfway towards their destination, the sponge would have expanded to a size that could have caused problems for the planes coming in to land at Ringway
Ideally the following report would contain a more accurate account of events but even if I’d have bothered to take note of the few moments of incident I’d now be sat trying to decipher a lump of papier mache.
Unsurprisingly both sides struggled to come to terms with the conditions and chances were a lot like adequate shelter from the elements at the Park Road Stadium: sadly lacking.
The ‘home’ side were certainly the busier of the two teams, be it attacking or keeping the officials ears warm. If whinging was an Olympic sport Woodley would undoubtedly be challenging Bradford Park Avenue to represent Britain next summer in Beijing. Every tackle they lost, every time Mossley beat their shoddily aligned offside trap… in fact I don’t think that there was a point in the game that they didn’t find something, spurious or not, to moan at the referee and his assistants about.
No, I tell a lie, there was one point: when they scored.
Midway through the opening half Matthew Butters misjudged a tackle and the ball zipped beneath him allowing Mario Bryan the opportunity a free run down the right. The former Rochdale player though chose to whip in an impressive first time cross that not only caught the Mossley defence cold but landed inch perfectly on the head of an unmarked Robinson who powered the ball past Ashley Connor. And to be fair to Woodley, on the balance of play it was probably a deserved lead.
They continued to press forward and on more than one occasion Ashley Connor had to come to his side’s assistance as Mossley’s back line became increasingly stretched by Sports’ pace an movement off the ball. As the half drew towards a close though Mossley finally started to ask a few questions of the 'home' defence by giving their front two something to work with.
Kitson Gayle went incredibly close to levelling the game with a shot from the corner of the box that had Liam Higginbotham in the Woodley goal pulling all sorts of shapes in order to cope with the swerve that was on it. Level it they did though as the interval approached.
Paul Garvey fired a free-kick from the left across the face of the Woodley goal and from amongst a mêlée of players at the back post, Richard Conway managed to apply a touch that sent the ball into the back of the net.
If the first half belonged to Woodley, the second belonged to Mossley. Like their hosts in the previous period though they were struggling to convert possession into chances. Gareth Hamlet went close with a header that looped over the bar and David Wallace shot wide after a bursting run into the box but with the weather somehow managing to get even worse, it rapidly became a test of endurance for players and supporters rather than a football match.
In the last five minutes the match burst into a modicum of life. A Woodley break caught Mossley's defence at sixes and sevens and the ball made its way to the feet of Watson unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. However, instead of applying a finish that probably would have won his side the match he stood stock still and watched as the ball hit his leg and rolled off harmlessly for a goal kick.
Mossley responded by almost forcing a Woodley defender into putting a cross into his own net and with the referee putting the whistle to his mouth to signal full-time, Wallace brought a game saving stop out of Higginbotham.
Not the best of games (and some would argue that it didn't meet the standards needed to be described as below average) but a draw was probably the fairest result and both sides survive to do it all again in what will likely be better conditions at Seel Park. I bet you thought you'd never see that - people expecting the weather to be better at Mossley! Credit to Mossley though for clawing their way back into a game that at one stage looked to be going one way.
I'd like to finish by congratulating the person who decided that this fixture should be staged at Cheadle. Sorry, did I say I’d like to congratulate? What I meant was I’d like to grab them by the lapels and shake them whilst screaming “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?”
In a fixture that regularly attracts a good 200+ crowd, the one thing the ground wasn’t awash with was spectators. But that’s the price you pay though when you not only choose to play the game on a Sunday but at an out of the way place too. Cheadle Town may not be in the back of beyond but you can certainly see it from there.
That’s being a tad unfair on Woodley though. The real problem lies with the people who run football in this country. Why, when you can play every other game on it, can’t you play an FA Cup on an artificial surface? Apparently the FA believe it’s better to have their prestige cup competition played at a ground with no turnstiles, a minimal amount of cover and a perimeter fence around its grass cutting strewn pitch that was having its paint washed off by the rain.
With this and things like the Wembley fiasco and the Tevez affair, you begin to realise that the national game is being run by people who couldn't make the door fall off a clown's car.
To Cheadle. Yes... Cheadle.
The FA Cup trail begins once again as we, along with hundreds of other starry eyed teams, start out on the quest to become plucky underdogs at such exotic locales as Kettering and Leigh.
With FA regulations still not allowing Woodley to play FA Cup games on their artificial surface, the Lambeth Grove side have chosen to fore-go the income generated by what was usually one of their biggest attendances of the season by playing the match in a) Cheadle and b) on a Sunday afternoon. Still who needs an intense atmosphere when you’ve got air horns and a bag of broken crockery to rattle.
Both sides have undergone many changes since we last met, the biggest one being that it’s no longer a case of Mossley A vs. Mossley B but Mossley A vs. Winsford United 06/07.
Following last seasons departure of manager Ally Pickering (and that of Tony Hancock before him), Woodley have continued their policy of recruiting ex-Mossley players to manage their team by appointing Chris Willcock to run the playing side of things. A challenge he accepted by recruiting a sizable proportion of the team that played under him last season at Winsford.
Yes, gone are the days when Woodley's recruitment policy appeared to be picking up whichever player Mossley had left beside the bins on a Monday morning. Only Sergio Mario Daniel remains of the people who once pulled on the white shirt.
Our last match against Woodley was the memorable for all the wrong reasons 5-0 thumping we got on the plastic carpet back in January 2006. The build-up to that game, if you recall, involved our previous manager giving a team talk to both sides prior to kick-off (Woodley's via the medium of a piece in the local paper) and it only fired one starting XI up.
The game got off to a bad start for the visitors (conceding a goal in the first minute) before getting progressively worse (three down after 10 minutes). The cherry was then applied to the top of the cake in the last minute with that good old Mossley staple: a penalty miss. Looking back on the events of that afternoon it's hard to believe that we actually won the league title three months later.
However that was then, this is now and with a whole host of new faces at both clubs it will be interesting to see a match between the two sides without the baggage that has come with it over the past few years.
For the winners: £1000 and a trip to either Hallam or Emley in a fortnight. For the losers: the prospect of it happening all over again six days later at Seel Park in a league fixture.
Prediction: After two correct predictions I’m presented with something of a dilemma. I’ve never before done the hat-trick and there’s a good chance that this won’t be any different so what do I do? Should I put down what I think will be the outcome or do I try and trick fate into providing the result I secretly want? Decisions, decisions.
Hmm... what the hey… a win for Woodley.
With FA regulations still not allowing Woodley to play FA Cup games on their artificial surface, the Lambeth Grove side have chosen to fore-go the income generated by what was usually one of their biggest attendances of the season by playing the match in a) Cheadle and b) on a Sunday afternoon. Still who needs an intense atmosphere when you’ve got air horns and a bag of broken crockery to rattle.
Both sides have undergone many changes since we last met, the biggest one being that it’s no longer a case of Mossley A vs. Mossley B but Mossley A vs. Winsford United 06/07.
Following last seasons departure of manager Ally Pickering (and that of Tony Hancock before him), Woodley have continued their policy of recruiting ex-Mossley players to manage their team by appointing Chris Willcock to run the playing side of things. A challenge he accepted by recruiting a sizable proportion of the team that played under him last season at Winsford.
Yes, gone are the days when Woodley's recruitment policy appeared to be picking up whichever player Mossley had left beside the bins on a Monday morning. Only Sergio Mario Daniel remains of the people who once pulled on the white shirt.
Our last match against Woodley was the memorable for all the wrong reasons 5-0 thumping we got on the plastic carpet back in January 2006. The build-up to that game, if you recall, involved our previous manager giving a team talk to both sides prior to kick-off (Woodley's via the medium of a piece in the local paper) and it only fired one starting XI up.
The game got off to a bad start for the visitors (conceding a goal in the first minute) before getting progressively worse (three down after 10 minutes). The cherry was then applied to the top of the cake in the last minute with that good old Mossley staple: a penalty miss. Looking back on the events of that afternoon it's hard to believe that we actually won the league title three months later.
However that was then, this is now and with a whole host of new faces at both clubs it will be interesting to see a match between the two sides without the baggage that has come with it over the past few years.
For the winners: £1000 and a trip to either Hallam or Emley in a fortnight. For the losers: the prospect of it happening all over again six days later at Seel Park in a league fixture.
Prediction: After two correct predictions I’m presented with something of a dilemma. I’ve never before done the hat-trick and there’s a good chance that this won’t be any different so what do I do? Should I put down what I think will be the outcome or do I try and trick fate into providing the result I secretly want? Decisions, decisions.
Hmm... what the hey… a win for Woodley.
Lancaster City 0 - 2 Mossley
As you probably know (if you don't, the heading of this post is a big pointer) Mossley claimed their first win of the season/new era at Lancaster City's Giant Axe ground last Monday. And by all accounts it was a mightily impressive performance.
Due to my non-attendance there'll be no interminably long report on the match on here. However those aforementioned accounts can be found here and here, along with photographs that don't give everyone in a white shirt a purple halo (or chromatic aberration as it's known as in photography circles).
Of course a truer picture of our progress can only be ascertained when there's a bigger sample to draw our conclusions from - one snowflake doesn't make a blizzard - but judging by what's been said and written about the match, things look incredibly encouraging. Not least the fact that we apparently didn't settle for what we had once a certain point in the game had been reached; something which haunted us on too many occasions last season.
It's still early days and we may occupy a spot in the lower half of the table but is there anybody who doesn't feel good about being a Mossley supporter again?
Due to my non-attendance there'll be no interminably long report on the match on here. However those aforementioned accounts can be found here and here, along with photographs that don't give everyone in a white shirt a purple halo (or chromatic aberration as it's known as in photography circles).
Of course a truer picture of our progress can only be ascertained when there's a bigger sample to draw our conclusions from - one snowflake doesn't make a blizzard - but judging by what's been said and written about the match, things look incredibly encouraging. Not least the fact that we apparently didn't settle for what we had once a certain point in the game had been reached; something which haunted us on too many occasions last season.
It's still early days and we may occupy a spot in the lower half of the table but is there anybody who doesn't feel good about being a Mossley supporter again?
Mossley 1 - 1 Bradford (P.A.)
I don't know which was louder at Seel Park at 16:50 on Saturday: the final whistle or the exhalation of relief that greeted it from the Mossley supporters as the Lilywhites first point of the season was finally confirmed.
Whichever it was there's no question that it was anything other than a deserved point as the home side proved to be more than a match for their expensively assembled opponents.
Title favourites Bradford may have been the more dominant of the two sides in the opening exchanges but it was Mossley who were the first to threaten the score line. In the space of two minutes around the quarter of an hour mark Paul Garvey had a goal correctly ruled out for offside and Kitson Gayle forced Jon Worsnop into making his first stop of the afternoon.
The visitors then responded with a lengthy spell of pressure of their own but it wasn't until thirty minutes into the game that they gave Mossley something to worry about. Some excellent close control down the left by Adam Morning presented Joe Brown with the opportunity to put his side into the lead by knocking the ball into an open goal from a matter of inches. However, in a moment that will give him nightmares for weeks to come (and if it doesn't, it should) the Bradford number 10 missed; a feat so impossible that world class players couldn't do what he did if they tried.
In stark contrast to Mossley's brand new all-white, 'Daz doorstep challenge' kit, Bradford's, with its black, red and yellow hoops, bore more of a resemblance to a shirt you'd find in a game of rugby rather than football. An analogy that can also be applied to Bradford's approach to tackling and all round general play.
There's nothing wrong with strong play but when stopping the man appears to take presidency over winning the ball you begin to wonder if a team has got its priorities right. From petty fouls after the ball had long gone to some heavy duty full-on challenges, the most fearsome of which thankfully saw the perpetrator come off worse than the subject of his intended 'tackle', it seemed like the visitors were more interested in winning by battering us into submission rather than by having a greater number of goals.
And, boy, could they whine. Every decision given or not given was questioned at considerable length. You could spend the next six months watching porn non-stop and not hear as much moaning and groaning as there was from Bradford in this ninety minutes of football.
Three minutes before the interval a lapse of concentration in the Mossley team allowed Bradford to take the lead. Picking up the ball deep in his own half Tom Baker (no, not that one) moved forward and the white shirts in front of him broke apart like an Antarctic ice shelf, allowing him to advance on goal unchallenged. Reaching the edge of the box he slipped the ball under Ashley Connor and put his side ahead.
It was the cue for a frenetic close to the half. Gareth Hamlet narrowly failed to get on the end of a Lee Blackshaw cross which rolled along the face of the goal and Hamlet then turned provider only to see Garvey to come just as agonisingly close to converting his ball across the six yard box. Avenue responded with a couple of efforts from distance before Mossley worked an opening that should have seen them go into the break on a deserved level footing.
A combination of a Martin Allison through ball and Kitson Gayle's pace split the Bradford defence wide open and left the Gayle one-on-one with Worsnop. As the Bradford custodian narrowed the angle the burly Mossley forward unleashed a shot that not only beat the keeper but also the left hand post as well.
The second half was an altogether duller affair with chances few and very far between. Bradford looked the side most likely to score but that was primarily through Mossley presenting them with opportunities rather than from any industry on their own part. An example being a loose pass a minute before the hour mark that forced Ashley Connor into diving low to his left to keep out a powerful shot from Ross Clegg, the former Mossley midfielder taking a rare moment off from performing niggling fouls to try and increase his sides lead.
By this stage Mossley were making little to no progress in finding a way back into the game. The long ball up the centre of the field was playing straight into the hands (or rather heads) of Avenue's giant central defenders and with no variation in approach the forwards were virtually spectators.
The home sides best, and only, chance of finding a way back into the game appeared to be from corners and free-kicks and it was from the former that Mossley finally caused the visitors to sweat a bit. Lee Connor beat everyone to a cross only for the slightest of deflections to carry the ball off its trajectory towards the net and off for another corner. They couldn't build on it though and with eight minutes left the game would have been put out of Mossley's reach were it not for another great stop by Ashley Connor, stretching low to his left to prevent Kevin Sanasay's dipping shot from crossing the line.
With the game slowly slipping away Bradford's predilection for committing unnecessary fouls was about to give Mossley their first point of the season. A needless free-kick conceded just inside the Avenue half and a few yards from the touchline was launched towards the box by Darryl Weston. Jamie Miller pulled the ball down with his back to goal, wrong footed his marker, turned inside and hit an inch perfect shot that found the gap between the outstretched arm of Worsnop and the right hand post.
The goal unsurprisingly gave Mossley a bit of belief and for the first time in the half they showed a bit more invention than just hoofing the ball up the middle of the pitch; passes were to feet and off-the-ball movement started to give the Bradford defenders something to worry about. A winning goal wasn't to be forthcoming though and the referee's whistle signalled a result that was probably the fairest one to both teams.
It also brought a few cries of derision in his direction from a couple of Bradford fans stood next to us as they blamed him for the fact their team had picked up only a point. But as we've learnt over the last few years, when you've spent a not insubstantial amount of money of a team, it's easier for some people to blame peripheral factors for a sides failings rather than how wisely that money has been spent.
We're finally off and running and if we can just keep the amount of time the ball spends out of contact with the grass to a minimum, there'll be a few more points heading our way over the coming months.
Whichever it was there's no question that it was anything other than a deserved point as the home side proved to be more than a match for their expensively assembled opponents.
Title favourites Bradford may have been the more dominant of the two sides in the opening exchanges but it was Mossley who were the first to threaten the score line. In the space of two minutes around the quarter of an hour mark Paul Garvey had a goal correctly ruled out for offside and Kitson Gayle forced Jon Worsnop into making his first stop of the afternoon.
The visitors then responded with a lengthy spell of pressure of their own but it wasn't until thirty minutes into the game that they gave Mossley something to worry about. Some excellent close control down the left by Adam Morning presented Joe Brown with the opportunity to put his side into the lead by knocking the ball into an open goal from a matter of inches. However, in a moment that will give him nightmares for weeks to come (and if it doesn't, it should) the Bradford number 10 missed; a feat so impossible that world class players couldn't do what he did if they tried.
In stark contrast to Mossley's brand new all-white, 'Daz doorstep challenge' kit, Bradford's, with its black, red and yellow hoops, bore more of a resemblance to a shirt you'd find in a game of rugby rather than football. An analogy that can also be applied to Bradford's approach to tackling and all round general play.
There's nothing wrong with strong play but when stopping the man appears to take presidency over winning the ball you begin to wonder if a team has got its priorities right. From petty fouls after the ball had long gone to some heavy duty full-on challenges, the most fearsome of which thankfully saw the perpetrator come off worse than the subject of his intended 'tackle', it seemed like the visitors were more interested in winning by battering us into submission rather than by having a greater number of goals.
And, boy, could they whine. Every decision given or not given was questioned at considerable length. You could spend the next six months watching porn non-stop and not hear as much moaning and groaning as there was from Bradford in this ninety minutes of football.
Three minutes before the interval a lapse of concentration in the Mossley team allowed Bradford to take the lead. Picking up the ball deep in his own half Tom Baker (no, not that one) moved forward and the white shirts in front of him broke apart like an Antarctic ice shelf, allowing him to advance on goal unchallenged. Reaching the edge of the box he slipped the ball under Ashley Connor and put his side ahead.
It was the cue for a frenetic close to the half. Gareth Hamlet narrowly failed to get on the end of a Lee Blackshaw cross which rolled along the face of the goal and Hamlet then turned provider only to see Garvey to come just as agonisingly close to converting his ball across the six yard box. Avenue responded with a couple of efforts from distance before Mossley worked an opening that should have seen them go into the break on a deserved level footing.
A combination of a Martin Allison through ball and Kitson Gayle's pace split the Bradford defence wide open and left the Gayle one-on-one with Worsnop. As the Bradford custodian narrowed the angle the burly Mossley forward unleashed a shot that not only beat the keeper but also the left hand post as well.
The second half was an altogether duller affair with chances few and very far between. Bradford looked the side most likely to score but that was primarily through Mossley presenting them with opportunities rather than from any industry on their own part. An example being a loose pass a minute before the hour mark that forced Ashley Connor into diving low to his left to keep out a powerful shot from Ross Clegg, the former Mossley midfielder taking a rare moment off from performing niggling fouls to try and increase his sides lead.
By this stage Mossley were making little to no progress in finding a way back into the game. The long ball up the centre of the field was playing straight into the hands (or rather heads) of Avenue's giant central defenders and with no variation in approach the forwards were virtually spectators.
The home sides best, and only, chance of finding a way back into the game appeared to be from corners and free-kicks and it was from the former that Mossley finally caused the visitors to sweat a bit. Lee Connor beat everyone to a cross only for the slightest of deflections to carry the ball off its trajectory towards the net and off for another corner. They couldn't build on it though and with eight minutes left the game would have been put out of Mossley's reach were it not for another great stop by Ashley Connor, stretching low to his left to prevent Kevin Sanasay's dipping shot from crossing the line.
With the game slowly slipping away Bradford's predilection for committing unnecessary fouls was about to give Mossley their first point of the season. A needless free-kick conceded just inside the Avenue half and a few yards from the touchline was launched towards the box by Darryl Weston. Jamie Miller pulled the ball down with his back to goal, wrong footed his marker, turned inside and hit an inch perfect shot that found the gap between the outstretched arm of Worsnop and the right hand post.
The goal unsurprisingly gave Mossley a bit of belief and for the first time in the half they showed a bit more invention than just hoofing the ball up the middle of the pitch; passes were to feet and off-the-ball movement started to give the Bradford defenders something to worry about. A winning goal wasn't to be forthcoming though and the referee's whistle signalled a result that was probably the fairest one to both teams.
It also brought a few cries of derision in his direction from a couple of Bradford fans stood next to us as they blamed him for the fact their team had picked up only a point. But as we've learnt over the last few years, when you've spent a not insubstantial amount of money of a team, it's easier for some people to blame peripheral factors for a sides failings rather than how wisely that money has been spent.
We're finally off and running and if we can just keep the amount of time the ball spends out of contact with the grass to a minimum, there'll be a few more points heading our way over the coming months.
To The Coast!
Is there a better way to spend to spend a Bank Holiday Monday than at a local game that not only makes travelling easier for away supporters but ensures a bumper crowd for clubs that need the money? No, there probably isn't!
But that hasn't stopped the Unibond North's fixture computer spewing out a lengthy list of forehead slapping holiday games and this is the first of them for Mossley – a trip to Lancaster on a day that's marginally better for long distance travelling than the choice of Boxing Day for the return fixture at Seel Park.
I’ve only ever been to the Giant Axe once before and that ended in a 2-0 cup defeat for the Lilywhites many moons ago. My memories of that game though are solely the corner flags being made of what seemed like rotting bits of a wooden window frame and a toilet block that was way too small, necessitating users to stand outside and aim in. However I am prepared to admit that maybe the vestiges of time have clouded my memory but I swear that that is what was there.
If being lumbered with one of the worst nicknames in non-league football wasn't bad enough (the Dolly Blues in case you were wondering), City's financial problems over the past twelve months meant that they had to do the double drop from the Conference North last season, bypassing the starry lights of the Unibond Premier to take up a place in the re-jigged First Division..
Though games between us were a regular occurrence in the 1970’s/early 80’s, the last meetings between the two sides came during our first spell in the Unibond First Division. In the four matches played between 1993 and 1995 Lancaster ran out winners on each occasion, scoring 8 goals in total and conceding none. All of which adds up to the fact that we haven't scored a goal against Lancaster for nigh on 28 years. Oh well...
Prediction: My non-attendance will probably guarantee us our first win of the season.
But that hasn't stopped the Unibond North's fixture computer spewing out a lengthy list of forehead slapping holiday games and this is the first of them for Mossley – a trip to Lancaster on a day that's marginally better for long distance travelling than the choice of Boxing Day for the return fixture at Seel Park.
I’ve only ever been to the Giant Axe once before and that ended in a 2-0 cup defeat for the Lilywhites many moons ago. My memories of that game though are solely the corner flags being made of what seemed like rotting bits of a wooden window frame and a toilet block that was way too small, necessitating users to stand outside and aim in. However I am prepared to admit that maybe the vestiges of time have clouded my memory but I swear that that is what was there.
If being lumbered with one of the worst nicknames in non-league football wasn't bad enough (the Dolly Blues in case you were wondering), City's financial problems over the past twelve months meant that they had to do the double drop from the Conference North last season, bypassing the starry lights of the Unibond Premier to take up a place in the re-jigged First Division..
Though games between us were a regular occurrence in the 1970’s/early 80’s, the last meetings between the two sides came during our first spell in the Unibond First Division. In the four matches played between 1993 and 1995 Lancaster ran out winners on each occasion, scoring 8 goals in total and conceding none. All of which adds up to the fact that we haven't scored a goal against Lancaster for nigh on 28 years. Oh well...
Prediction: My non-attendance will probably guarantee us our first win of the season.
From Over T'Pennines
This Saturday sees one of the favourites for the league title wend their merry way to Seel Park as millionaire backed Bradford Park Avenue pitch up and compete to see which of us can kick-start their season first.
They’ll be bringing a host of familiar faces to Seel Park including former manager Benny Philips, former captain Danny Meadowcroft and perhaps, somewhat surprisingly, former winger Adam Morning – his sideways step from Woodley a peculiar move considering he was being linked with Football League clubs for a fairly lengthy period of last season.
Avenue also contain a fairly large proportion of last season’s Witton Albion side including Mike Moseley who scored Witton’s opener in the game that sealed our relegation fate last April.
Despite having buzzed around similar levels of the pyramid for a good while now, it’s surprising that we haven’t had to face them more often than we actually have. In fact when we got relegated from the Unibond First Division in 1995, it was Bradford who we swapped places with; the Yorkshirere topping the NWCL that year.
History is on our side though as we've never lost a league game against Park Avenue. Admittedly there have only been four meetings between (and three of them ended in draws) and they were all well over 30 years ago but when you see a straw – clutch at it.
Prediction: Already being 0 for 2 when it comes to these things this season, I'm loathe to make it a hat-trick bad predictions whilst we're still in August. But what the hell... a draw.
They’ll be bringing a host of familiar faces to Seel Park including former manager Benny Philips, former captain Danny Meadowcroft and perhaps, somewhat surprisingly, former winger Adam Morning – his sideways step from Woodley a peculiar move considering he was being linked with Football League clubs for a fairly lengthy period of last season.
Avenue also contain a fairly large proportion of last season’s Witton Albion side including Mike Moseley who scored Witton’s opener in the game that sealed our relegation fate last April.
Despite having buzzed around similar levels of the pyramid for a good while now, it’s surprising that we haven’t had to face them more often than we actually have. In fact when we got relegated from the Unibond First Division in 1995, it was Bradford who we swapped places with; the Yorkshirere topping the NWCL that year.
History is on our side though as we've never lost a league game against Park Avenue. Admittedly there have only been four meetings between (and three of them ended in draws) and they were all well over 30 years ago but when you see a straw – clutch at it.
Prediction: Already being 0 for 2 when it comes to these things this season, I'm loathe to make it a hat-trick bad predictions whilst we're still in August. But what the hell... a draw.
Mossley 1 - 2 Curzon Ashton
There's an oft used cliché in football that goes "it's a game of two halves". This match however gave it an interesting new twist being "a game of a third and two thirds"; the smaller fraction sadly representing the time Mossley were in the ascendancy before Curzon started to dictate the game.
As much as it pains me to put this (is there a writing equivalent of speaking through gritted teeth?) Curzon were deserved winners but, just like the previous match at Garforth, it was Mossley that started the brighter of the two teams.
In the 16th minute the home side got the goal their early endeavour deserved when a lazy back pass was pounced on by Kitson Gayle. The Mossley forward then showed great composure in taking the ball around the Curzon keeper before wheeling away in celebration of his first goal for the club.
Worsley then fired a warning shot across Mossley's bow (or rather the face of the goal) for the visitors as they struggled to get back into a game that slowly seemed to be slipping away from them. And with 25 minutes on the clock the Lilywhite's could, and possibly should, have inched the points available from the game further away from Curzon's grasp. Kitson Gayle robbed substitute Byrne of the ball on the halfway line and launched a counter attack that saw white shirts vastly outnumber the blue ones. The ball quickly made its way to Paul Quinn on the edge of the box but the winger snatched at his shot, sending it looping wide of a relieved Curzon keeper's goal.
Gayle and Martin Allison both went close to increasing the lead from a series of corners but the game, without warning, suddenly turned on its head as Curzon stepped up a gear and Giggs and Delaney started to play an increasingly more prominent role in the role in the game; the ex-Mossley man in particular was proving to be a thorn in the side by continually cutting inside from the left onto his preferred right foot. It was a tactic that almost paid dividends as the half ticked over into stoppage time. Giggs found space to cross the ball to Norton who was in even more space at the back post but the Ashton forward could only power a shot into the side netting.
The relief on appearing to have reached the interval with our one goal lead intact was to be short lived though. The resultant goal kick immediately made its way back down the pitch at the feet of Mike Norton and his cross from the right was headed in at close range by an unmarked Ryan Moore.
Any thoughts that the 15 minute break would allow Mossley to regroup, rediscover their early form and push Curzon back were dismissed within moments of the restart. If anything the hopes of a win were quickly replaced by hopes of holding out for a draw as the visitors continued in the manner they'd finished the first period.
Ashley Connor produced a superb save from Delaney, Adam Jones got in the way of a goal bound header that would have given the side the lead, David Wallace cleared off the line following a corner for the second game in succession as the pressure really began to ramp up on the home side. Giggs then displayed some the finishing prowess shown by his brother's side in the recent Manchester derby by spurning a glorious chance inside the Mossley box, only for Norton to overshadow him a minute later by wasting an even more golden opportunity.
With seven minutes remaining though the possibility of a first point of the season faded. A sloppy pass in the middle of the pitch allowed Curzon to work the ball out to Ryan Moore and following a thirty yard run down the left he cut into the box and slipped the ball under Ashley Connor to double both his sides and his own personal tally for the night.
Mossley's came incredibly close to claiming an equalizer when, with two minutes left (and sixty game minutes after their last attack of note), the ball was scrambled off the line following a corner but the sound of the final whistle soon ended what newly found dreams supporters may have harboured of a late draw being fashioned.
The result might read the same as the one at Garforth but the truth is that no-one could have complained had the scoreline been a more emphatic one in Curzon's favour.
I've tried to fight it but it's no use... I'm going to have to use the G-word because I can't think of a better one - gel: we still need time to do it and this match was further evidence that there's still some way to go before the players become a unit that know each others style of play inside-out. Until then we're always going to be at something of a disadvantage against teams that have played together as a unit for a long time.
And speaking purely as an observer it looks like we're still some way short of being fully match fit as well, which is understandable given the relatively short pre-season campaign, and it's likely that it may be a factor in how matches are played for a while. However football's more tiring when you haven't got the ball and giving possession of it away as cheaply as we did in this game, through some poor passing and an over reliance on the long ball, is only going to hamper us further if we can't cut it out.
There's nothing wrong in clearing your lines but if it comes back as quickly and as often as it did in this game you have to do something different to try and alleviate the pressure. The back line produced some fine work but even the best defence in the world will start to crack when facing an almost unending succession of attacks.
The first half hour showed how good we are when we keep the passes short and make intelligent moves off the ball and those are the seeds of hope for a good season. If we can nurture that then the goals will start to flow more easily and, ultimately, the points will start to rack up.
Till then the search for points continues...
As much as it pains me to put this (is there a writing equivalent of speaking through gritted teeth?) Curzon were deserved winners but, just like the previous match at Garforth, it was Mossley that started the brighter of the two teams.
In the 16th minute the home side got the goal their early endeavour deserved when a lazy back pass was pounced on by Kitson Gayle. The Mossley forward then showed great composure in taking the ball around the Curzon keeper before wheeling away in celebration of his first goal for the club.
Worsley then fired a warning shot across Mossley's bow (or rather the face of the goal) for the visitors as they struggled to get back into a game that slowly seemed to be slipping away from them. And with 25 minutes on the clock the Lilywhite's could, and possibly should, have inched the points available from the game further away from Curzon's grasp. Kitson Gayle robbed substitute Byrne of the ball on the halfway line and launched a counter attack that saw white shirts vastly outnumber the blue ones. The ball quickly made its way to Paul Quinn on the edge of the box but the winger snatched at his shot, sending it looping wide of a relieved Curzon keeper's goal.
Gayle and Martin Allison both went close to increasing the lead from a series of corners but the game, without warning, suddenly turned on its head as Curzon stepped up a gear and Giggs and Delaney started to play an increasingly more prominent role in the role in the game; the ex-Mossley man in particular was proving to be a thorn in the side by continually cutting inside from the left onto his preferred right foot. It was a tactic that almost paid dividends as the half ticked over into stoppage time. Giggs found space to cross the ball to Norton who was in even more space at the back post but the Ashton forward could only power a shot into the side netting.
The relief on appearing to have reached the interval with our one goal lead intact was to be short lived though. The resultant goal kick immediately made its way back down the pitch at the feet of Mike Norton and his cross from the right was headed in at close range by an unmarked Ryan Moore.
Any thoughts that the 15 minute break would allow Mossley to regroup, rediscover their early form and push Curzon back were dismissed within moments of the restart. If anything the hopes of a win were quickly replaced by hopes of holding out for a draw as the visitors continued in the manner they'd finished the first period.
Ashley Connor produced a superb save from Delaney, Adam Jones got in the way of a goal bound header that would have given the side the lead, David Wallace cleared off the line following a corner for the second game in succession as the pressure really began to ramp up on the home side. Giggs then displayed some the finishing prowess shown by his brother's side in the recent Manchester derby by spurning a glorious chance inside the Mossley box, only for Norton to overshadow him a minute later by wasting an even more golden opportunity.
With seven minutes remaining though the possibility of a first point of the season faded. A sloppy pass in the middle of the pitch allowed Curzon to work the ball out to Ryan Moore and following a thirty yard run down the left he cut into the box and slipped the ball under Ashley Connor to double both his sides and his own personal tally for the night.
Mossley's came incredibly close to claiming an equalizer when, with two minutes left (and sixty game minutes after their last attack of note), the ball was scrambled off the line following a corner but the sound of the final whistle soon ended what newly found dreams supporters may have harboured of a late draw being fashioned.
The result might read the same as the one at Garforth but the truth is that no-one could have complained had the scoreline been a more emphatic one in Curzon's favour.
I've tried to fight it but it's no use... I'm going to have to use the G-word because I can't think of a better one - gel: we still need time to do it and this match was further evidence that there's still some way to go before the players become a unit that know each others style of play inside-out. Until then we're always going to be at something of a disadvantage against teams that have played together as a unit for a long time.
And speaking purely as an observer it looks like we're still some way short of being fully match fit as well, which is understandable given the relatively short pre-season campaign, and it's likely that it may be a factor in how matches are played for a while. However football's more tiring when you haven't got the ball and giving possession of it away as cheaply as we did in this game, through some poor passing and an over reliance on the long ball, is only going to hamper us further if we can't cut it out.
There's nothing wrong in clearing your lines but if it comes back as quickly and as often as it did in this game you have to do something different to try and alleviate the pressure. The back line produced some fine work but even the best defence in the world will start to crack when facing an almost unending succession of attacks.
The first half hour showed how good we are when we keep the passes short and make intelligent moves off the ball and those are the seeds of hope for a good season. If we can nurture that then the goals will start to flow more easily and, ultimately, the points will start to rack up.
Till then the search for points continues...
All The Way From Ashton Moss...
What’s that coming over the hill, is it a monster? Is it a monster?
No, it’s Gary Lowe and his merry band (closer to the one-man variety than the full orchestra and massed choir kind) of followers as they make their way to Seel Park for the first time in almost four years. An event that’s sure to guarantee two extra seats being filled on the 350 that departs at Ashton bus station at 18:30.
Making gags at their expense about being poorly supported is unkind though, especially as with Woodley coming up twice over the next three weeks I could have saved them for then. Still, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the lack of verbal sparring on the terraces does contribute to this fixture being bottom of the list when it comes to anticipated local derbies.
Its been almost four years since we last faced ‘The Blues’ in league competition, both games in the NWCL 03/04 season ending in draws: 2-2 at our place, 1-1 at theirs.
Last year they finished second in the NWCL, due in no small part to the amount of goals scored and created by their front three of Norton, Moores, and Cahill. Speaking as someone who saw a fair share of those Curzon games I’ve got to say that they were mightily impressive to watch at times.
That Goaly Trinity (see what I did there) however has been split up over the summer with Moores departing for trials at a whole host of clubs before eventually signing for Chorley last week. And after being told he wouldn’t feature in the Magpie's starting line-up he turned out for Flixton in the FA Cup at the weekend. The whereabouts of Wayne Cahill has also been something of a mystery to those not steeped in all things Curzon but they got off to a flyer in the opening game of the campaign by knocking two unanswered goals past Ossett at theWhite Elephant Memorial Ground Tameside Stadium.
Current connections between the two sides include Rhodri Giggs, Stephen Shiel,Joz Mitten who, it is rumoured to be said, has almost signed for us on more than one occasion and that both teams have white shorts as part of their home kit. And if you think that last one is tenuous, you're right - it is!
Prediction: Despite a sore throat I’m feeling particularly ebullient - a Mossley win.
No, it’s Gary Lowe and his merry band (closer to the one-man variety than the full orchestra and massed choir kind) of followers as they make their way to Seel Park for the first time in almost four years. An event that’s sure to guarantee two extra seats being filled on the 350 that departs at Ashton bus station at 18:30.
Making gags at their expense about being poorly supported is unkind though, especially as with Woodley coming up twice over the next three weeks I could have saved them for then. Still, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the lack of verbal sparring on the terraces does contribute to this fixture being bottom of the list when it comes to anticipated local derbies.
Its been almost four years since we last faced ‘The Blues’ in league competition, both games in the NWCL 03/04 season ending in draws: 2-2 at our place, 1-1 at theirs.
Last year they finished second in the NWCL, due in no small part to the amount of goals scored and created by their front three of Norton, Moores, and Cahill. Speaking as someone who saw a fair share of those Curzon games I’ve got to say that they were mightily impressive to watch at times.
That Goaly Trinity (see what I did there) however has been split up over the summer with Moores departing for trials at a whole host of clubs before eventually signing for Chorley last week. And after being told he wouldn’t feature in the Magpie's starting line-up he turned out for Flixton in the FA Cup at the weekend. The whereabouts of Wayne Cahill has also been something of a mystery to those not steeped in all things Curzon but they got off to a flyer in the opening game of the campaign by knocking two unanswered goals past Ossett at the
Current connections between the two sides include Rhodri Giggs, Stephen Shiel,Joz Mitten who, it is rumoured to be said, has almost signed for us on more than one occasion and that both teams have white shorts as part of their home kit. And if you think that last one is tenuous, you're right - it is!
Prediction: Despite a sore throat I’m feeling particularly ebullient - a Mossley win.
Garforth Town 2 - 1 Mossley
Whilst the following report may appear similar to the official ones this season they do contain some differences. Well one really: they are the unedited versions so they will contain things such as criticism of officials and anything else that would be frowned upon by the league should it appear elsewhere. Now with that out of the way...
Mossley's new era got off to a disappointing start on the outskirts of rain sodden Leeds but the eventual result was overshadowed by an horrific injury sustained by Lilywhite's right back, Mike Jefferson.
Three minutes before the interval the former Ashton United defender came out of a challenge second best as he attempted to thwart a Garforth attack, leaving him lying on the pitch with a suspected broken leg; the wait for an ambulance necessitating a lengthy stoppage of almost an hour to the game.
There is a question as to whether the match should have been abandoned there and then (if it was the floodlights that had held up the match for a similar period of time it almost certainly would have been) but as the majority of other fixtures up and down the country drew to a close, the game restarted and quickly devolved into something of a farce.
Despite their being three minutes of the half left before the unfortunate stoppage (as well as a considerable amount of time to be added on for treatment Paul Garvey had received earlier in the match following an awful tackle deemed only worthy of a yellow), the referee announced that they'd play only two minutes before starting the second period. The majority of these two minutes were then unbelievably taken up with Town making a substitution, for which no extra time was added, before the half was brought to a close.
By this point though Mossley were already a goal in arrears.
Things had started brightly for the visitors but apart from a few efforts from distance the Miner's nervous looking keeper Karl Spratt remained sadly under worked. On the quarter of an hour mark the home side suddenly clicked and Mossley were put on the back-foot. Ashley Connor diverted a shot destined for the bottom corner of the goal off for a corner and David Wallace cleared off the line as the pressure increased on Mossley's back line.
That pressure eventually paid off in the 35th minute when a soft penalty was conceded and Duncan Williams put the home side ahead from the spot.
The second half was a pretty even affair in terms of possession but like the early spell in the previous half, Mossley's inability to convert it into chances was to prove to be their undoing. A few shots brushed wide of the post and Mossley's height at corners caused a few problems but in truth there was nothing that really tested Spratt.
It was the home side that continued to look the most likely to score and Ashley Connor produced a fine full length save to stop Garforth from doubling their lead. Double it they did though in the 82nd minute when a long ball from the back coupled with Garforth's speedy forward line allowed Muddell to head home from close range and virtually seal the game.
To Mossley's enormous credit though that their heads didn't drop and as the clock ticked over into the 90th minute they were rewarded with a deserved consolation. A cross from the left found its way to the yellow booted feet of substitute Joel Bryce and he curled a perfectly executed shot around a motionless Spratt to halve the deficit.
Last season began with a one goal defeat in similar conditions (i.e. new league, the kind of weather that would have had Noah rounding up the animals) to Ilkeston but this time around the signs are more encouraging. Whilst the positives may have been balanced out by the negatives, which is to be expected from a team playing their first competitive match together, there was enough evidence on display to suggest that this season won't follow the last into the annals of Mossley's 'Campaign's Best Forgotten'.
As for Garforth, for a club whose mantra is Brazilian football, their style of play bore little resemblance to any I've ever seen from the South American side.
When they make their two visits to Seel Park later in the season it might be wise to warn residents in Micklehurst of the dangers of being hit by a Garforth clearance. Watching players trying to kick the ball as far as they could out of the ground at every possible opportunity was one of the most ridiculous things I've seen at a football game in quite some time. Along with their constant appealing for fouls and offsides and their 'hands-on' approach to challenging anyone for the ball they're not going to win many friends. In fact you can't help but feel they're getting Brazil mixed up with Wimbledon circa the late 80's. Somebody really should tell them that Dennis Wise was not the embodiment of samba football.
They should also tell them to print more programmes, open the refreshment a lot earlier, erect some kind of construction that is able to keep spectators dry. And given the struggle one ambulance had getting near the ground, heaven help everyone should their ever be a fire at the place. Oh yes, whilst I've got the bit between my teeth, banging one snare drum slowly only adds to the atmosphere if you're watching a French aristo being led to the guillotine and not when your forwards are chasing a hoof down the pitch.
And finally, after a couple of years in which the standard of officiating has improved quite considerably, hopefully the performances seen in this by the men in black aren't indicative of what's to come this season. From the awarding of corners and goal kicks that had no relation to on-field events to the refusal to clamp down on the home side's rough house tactics and the events surrounding Jefferson's injury,it wasn't a good day for the man in the middle and his two helpers.
The nadir of which (and it had some competition) was reached when Town substitute Simpkins, moments after receiving a yellow card for a tackle so late its obituary had already been printed in the local paper, kicked the ball out of the ground in a ridiculous act of time-wasting after being flagged offside. Instead of the expected red card all he received was the briefest of tut-tuttings. The officials weren't to blame for the result but they certainly didn't help either.
Anyhow, one down - forty one (plus cup matches) to go and as I would have said had we won – one result does not a season make. Besides, they all won't be played in what has turned out to be an extremely unlucky kit.
Mossley's new era got off to a disappointing start on the outskirts of rain sodden Leeds but the eventual result was overshadowed by an horrific injury sustained by Lilywhite's right back, Mike Jefferson.
Three minutes before the interval the former Ashton United defender came out of a challenge second best as he attempted to thwart a Garforth attack, leaving him lying on the pitch with a suspected broken leg; the wait for an ambulance necessitating a lengthy stoppage of almost an hour to the game.
There is a question as to whether the match should have been abandoned there and then (if it was the floodlights that had held up the match for a similar period of time it almost certainly would have been) but as the majority of other fixtures up and down the country drew to a close, the game restarted and quickly devolved into something of a farce.
Despite their being three minutes of the half left before the unfortunate stoppage (as well as a considerable amount of time to be added on for treatment Paul Garvey had received earlier in the match following an awful tackle deemed only worthy of a yellow), the referee announced that they'd play only two minutes before starting the second period. The majority of these two minutes were then unbelievably taken up with Town making a substitution, for which no extra time was added, before the half was brought to a close.
By this point though Mossley were already a goal in arrears.
Things had started brightly for the visitors but apart from a few efforts from distance the Miner's nervous looking keeper Karl Spratt remained sadly under worked. On the quarter of an hour mark the home side suddenly clicked and Mossley were put on the back-foot. Ashley Connor diverted a shot destined for the bottom corner of the goal off for a corner and David Wallace cleared off the line as the pressure increased on Mossley's back line.
That pressure eventually paid off in the 35th minute when a soft penalty was conceded and Duncan Williams put the home side ahead from the spot.
The second half was a pretty even affair in terms of possession but like the early spell in the previous half, Mossley's inability to convert it into chances was to prove to be their undoing. A few shots brushed wide of the post and Mossley's height at corners caused a few problems but in truth there was nothing that really tested Spratt.
It was the home side that continued to look the most likely to score and Ashley Connor produced a fine full length save to stop Garforth from doubling their lead. Double it they did though in the 82nd minute when a long ball from the back coupled with Garforth's speedy forward line allowed Muddell to head home from close range and virtually seal the game.
To Mossley's enormous credit though that their heads didn't drop and as the clock ticked over into the 90th minute they were rewarded with a deserved consolation. A cross from the left found its way to the yellow booted feet of substitute Joel Bryce and he curled a perfectly executed shot around a motionless Spratt to halve the deficit.
Last season began with a one goal defeat in similar conditions (i.e. new league, the kind of weather that would have had Noah rounding up the animals) to Ilkeston but this time around the signs are more encouraging. Whilst the positives may have been balanced out by the negatives, which is to be expected from a team playing their first competitive match together, there was enough evidence on display to suggest that this season won't follow the last into the annals of Mossley's 'Campaign's Best Forgotten'.
As for Garforth, for a club whose mantra is Brazilian football, their style of play bore little resemblance to any I've ever seen from the South American side.
When they make their two visits to Seel Park later in the season it might be wise to warn residents in Micklehurst of the dangers of being hit by a Garforth clearance. Watching players trying to kick the ball as far as they could out of the ground at every possible opportunity was one of the most ridiculous things I've seen at a football game in quite some time. Along with their constant appealing for fouls and offsides and their 'hands-on' approach to challenging anyone for the ball they're not going to win many friends. In fact you can't help but feel they're getting Brazil mixed up with Wimbledon circa the late 80's. Somebody really should tell them that Dennis Wise was not the embodiment of samba football.
They should also tell them to print more programmes, open the refreshment a lot earlier, erect some kind of construction that is able to keep spectators dry. And given the struggle one ambulance had getting near the ground, heaven help everyone should their ever be a fire at the place. Oh yes, whilst I've got the bit between my teeth, banging one snare drum slowly only adds to the atmosphere if you're watching a French aristo being led to the guillotine and not when your forwards are chasing a hoof down the pitch.
And finally, after a couple of years in which the standard of officiating has improved quite considerably, hopefully the performances seen in this by the men in black aren't indicative of what's to come this season. From the awarding of corners and goal kicks that had no relation to on-field events to the refusal to clamp down on the home side's rough house tactics and the events surrounding Jefferson's injury,it wasn't a good day for the man in the middle and his two helpers.
The nadir of which (and it had some competition) was reached when Town substitute Simpkins, moments after receiving a yellow card for a tackle so late its obituary had already been printed in the local paper, kicked the ball out of the ground in a ridiculous act of time-wasting after being flagged offside. Instead of the expected red card all he received was the briefest of tut-tuttings. The officials weren't to blame for the result but they certainly didn't help either.
Anyhow, one down - forty one (plus cup matches) to go and as I would have said had we won – one result does not a season make. Besides, they all won't be played in what has turned out to be an extremely unlucky kit.
Eastwards To Garforth
A new season, a new-ish league and a new team to face as Mossley make the first of what will be many trips across the Backbone of Britain™ to take on Simon Clifford.
Sorry that should read 'to take on Garforth Town' but in my defence, if you've ever visited their website you'll realise what an easy mistake it is to make.
Besides employing the kind of self-promotion that makes Dave Pace look like a publicity shy introvert, Simon Clifford, Garforth's chief executive, has gained something of a reputation amongst supporters of some non-league clubs; a few examples of which can be found here on the NonLeagueZone forums.
You can't fault his desire for wanting what's best for his club though. According to this months 4-4-2 magazine, with Garforth needing a win in the final game of last season to claim a spot in the Unibond, Clifford placed a picture of Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in the dressing room as some form of motivation or inspiration. They lost and their conquerors on the day Carlton leapfrogged them in the league to clinch a guaranteed promotion place.
However his 25 year plan to reach the Premier League got an unexpected boost when Durham's decision to remain in football's very own Royston Vasey (the Northern League) allowed Town the opportunity to enter the Unibond via the tradesman's door.
During this time they also lost central midfielder Craig Farrand to a great club, whose name currently escapes me, on the other side of t' Pennines and at the time of typing they're currently scrambling around for a goalkeeper following their #1's decision to join Farsley Celtic last week. The Miners though do contain one player who's recently made the national media.
Duncan Williams announcement that he'll play Premiership football for nothing, and instead earn his corn suckling at the corporate teat, made the Times at the beginning of the week. And yes, Simon Clifford does get a mention or two. It's a generous stance to take and Mr.Williams seems more level headed than most players at the top tier will ever be but, is it really any different to one of us suddenly announcing to the world that they'd selflessly accept no payment whatsoever to sleep with Scarlett Johanssen but would be prepared to slap a Pepsi sticker on their bum for the event should Pepsico pay them to do so? That's to say how noble is a gesture when there's a slim to nought chance of it ever happening? Good luck to him but it does seem a tiny bit naiive.
Finally, whether you're going by car or the 11:48 train, don't forget to wrap up warm for this one. Despite the onset of global warming it's very cold in the Leeds area, around -12 at the moment. Lousy topical football humour - Mossley80 must be back for the new season.
Prediction: Having confidently predicted wins for most of Mossley's games last season and seen us ultimately get relegated, I think it may be a wise to start backing the opposition this time around. A win for Garforth.
Sorry that should read 'to take on Garforth Town' but in my defence, if you've ever visited their website you'll realise what an easy mistake it is to make.
Besides employing the kind of self-promotion that makes Dave Pace look like a publicity shy introvert, Simon Clifford, Garforth's chief executive, has gained something of a reputation amongst supporters of some non-league clubs; a few examples of which can be found here on the NonLeagueZone forums.
You can't fault his desire for wanting what's best for his club though. According to this months 4-4-2 magazine, with Garforth needing a win in the final game of last season to claim a spot in the Unibond, Clifford placed a picture of Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in the dressing room as some form of motivation or inspiration. They lost and their conquerors on the day Carlton leapfrogged them in the league to clinch a guaranteed promotion place.
However his 25 year plan to reach the Premier League got an unexpected boost when Durham's decision to remain in football's very own Royston Vasey (the Northern League) allowed Town the opportunity to enter the Unibond via the tradesman's door.
During this time they also lost central midfielder Craig Farrand to a great club, whose name currently escapes me, on the other side of t' Pennines and at the time of typing they're currently scrambling around for a goalkeeper following their #1's decision to join Farsley Celtic last week. The Miners though do contain one player who's recently made the national media.
Duncan Williams announcement that he'll play Premiership football for nothing, and instead earn his corn suckling at the corporate teat, made the Times at the beginning of the week. And yes, Simon Clifford does get a mention or two. It's a generous stance to take and Mr.Williams seems more level headed than most players at the top tier will ever be but, is it really any different to one of us suddenly announcing to the world that they'd selflessly accept no payment whatsoever to sleep with Scarlett Johanssen but would be prepared to slap a Pepsi sticker on their bum for the event should Pepsico pay them to do so? That's to say how noble is a gesture when there's a slim to nought chance of it ever happening? Good luck to him but it does seem a tiny bit naiive.
Finally, whether you're going by car or the 11:48 train, don't forget to wrap up warm for this one. Despite the onset of global warming it's very cold in the Leeds area, around -12 at the moment. Lousy topical football humour - Mossley80 must be back for the new season.
Prediction: Having confidently predicted wins for most of Mossley's games last season and seen us ultimately get relegated, I think it may be a wise to start backing the opposition this time around. A win for Garforth.
It All Comes Round Again
Doesn't time fly, eh? It hardly seems two minutes since we were stood in open mouthed horror watching Matlock, Gateshead, Kendal, Guiseley, Flixton reserves et al, tear us apart with the kind of ease not seen since the Romans decided religious pacifists and ravenous lions would be a fair fight.
And contrary to the Cassandra like proclamations you may have heard on the eve of that final game at the International Athletics Stadium by a recently departed employee of the club, we're back!
In the 112 days that have passed since we meekly surrendered our place in the Unibond Premier Division, numerous changes have left the club looking at a future that’s considerably brighter than the 'tolling death bell' that was broadcast on GMR’s Non-League spot at the end of April would have had you believe.
Manchester City, Newcastle United, Stalybridge Celtic, even that small concern known as 'Great Britain and Northern Ireland' have all undergone reorganisations at the top level during the summer and Mossley has been no exception.
For the first time in a decade there are new hands holding the reigns at Seel Park with the running of the club having been charged to a small group of supporters. And whilst it may be true that the financial security the club enjoyed over the last ten years has now gone, it's perhaps no bad thing that the club now stands on its own two feet.
Even at this relatively stage of their tenure at the club progress appears to be being made. The re-appointment of a commercial manger, the aim to forge closer links with the local community and, more importantly, exist within our means is all evidence of a solid foundation being laid for whatever may be built in the future.
One decision that has certainly moved the club forward is the appointment of Gerry Quinn. Not only do we now have a manager with a proven track record and a knowledge of the game at this level, but one who's seemingly happy to communicate with supporters without using the local media. And though you can't read a lot into an upcoming season based on the results of a few meaningless friendlies, you can't help but be impressed by the attitude and spirit already shown by the team he's assembled. It certainly makes a refreshing change from what we saw in some matches last season.
Having said all that, or rather written it, I don't think anyone is under the illusion that the road ahead won't be a rocky one, with the occasional precarious bend running alongside a precipitous drop to negotiate. It's going to take time to rebuild bridges as well as explore the new avenues that have opened up but where that road now leads is up to us. Once again it's our club and it's important that we go forward as one.
So with that out of the way all that remains is for me to say is enjoy the season. Hopefully as experiences go it will be more like the most exhilarating white knuckle ride you've ever been on rather than the ordeal of last seasons bungee jump sans bungee rope.
And contrary to the Cassandra like proclamations you may have heard on the eve of that final game at the International Athletics Stadium by a recently departed employee of the club, we're back!
In the 112 days that have passed since we meekly surrendered our place in the Unibond Premier Division, numerous changes have left the club looking at a future that’s considerably brighter than the 'tolling death bell' that was broadcast on GMR’s Non-League spot at the end of April would have had you believe.
Manchester City, Newcastle United, Stalybridge Celtic, even that small concern known as 'Great Britain and Northern Ireland' have all undergone reorganisations at the top level during the summer and Mossley has been no exception.
For the first time in a decade there are new hands holding the reigns at Seel Park with the running of the club having been charged to a small group of supporters. And whilst it may be true that the financial security the club enjoyed over the last ten years has now gone, it's perhaps no bad thing that the club now stands on its own two feet.
Even at this relatively stage of their tenure at the club progress appears to be being made. The re-appointment of a commercial manger, the aim to forge closer links with the local community and, more importantly, exist within our means is all evidence of a solid foundation being laid for whatever may be built in the future.
One decision that has certainly moved the club forward is the appointment of Gerry Quinn. Not only do we now have a manager with a proven track record and a knowledge of the game at this level, but one who's seemingly happy to communicate with supporters without using the local media. And though you can't read a lot into an upcoming season based on the results of a few meaningless friendlies, you can't help but be impressed by the attitude and spirit already shown by the team he's assembled. It certainly makes a refreshing change from what we saw in some matches last season.
Having said all that, or rather written it, I don't think anyone is under the illusion that the road ahead won't be a rocky one, with the occasional precarious bend running alongside a precipitous drop to negotiate. It's going to take time to rebuild bridges as well as explore the new avenues that have opened up but where that road now leads is up to us. Once again it's our club and it's important that we go forward as one.
So with that out of the way all that remains is for me to say is enjoy the season. Hopefully as experiences go it will be more like the most exhilarating white knuckle ride you've ever been on rather than the ordeal of last seasons bungee jump sans bungee rope.
Mossley 7 - 0 Marsden
There's nothing like a fact filled account of a game and sadly this is nothing like one.
You'll have to forgive me for the lack of stated truths in this match report because I completely lost track of who scored and who did what. Still, best to get it out of the system before the season starts or else some upcoming reviews are going to resemble jigsaw puzzles with important pieces missing.
I know for definite that the first was a penalty from the boot of Lee Connor with the game barely minutes old but this is where it starts to get a bit murky. The second was netted by David Wallace (apologies if it wasn't) but I'm absolutely certain that Lee Blackshaw got the third by knocking in a rebound off the bar with the side of his head. It's possible that he got the fourth as well but I wouldn't swear on it in court!
Thankfully my memory is slightly better when it comes to recalling the following forty five minutes. Gareth Hamlet rolled the ball into an empty net for the fifth after beating the keeper in a chase for a loose pass and scored the seventh a moment before the referee brought the game to a conclusion. I've no idea who got the sixth goal and the filling in the Hamlet sandwich (other than that he was wearing the number four shirt and had a good game) but it was a pretty fearsome shot from close range after good work down the left.
It's easy to dismiss Marsden as a creditable opposition (and I'm sure that given more time to arrange these games a sterner test would have been the preferred option to take us into the new season) but they have picked up some impressive results over the last few weeks.
But you can learn just as many important things in games like this one as you can in matches against teams from the Conference North or a Second Division youth side; the main one being how the players apply themselves and on that count Mossley passed with flying colours. The game was over as a contest very early on but the home side never took their foot off the pedal and continued to put the Yorkshire side to the sword. No showboating, just a desire to score as many goals as possible which, personally speaking, is how it should be.
To Garforth now and the serious stuff. And I must remember to take a pen and paper.
You'll have to forgive me for the lack of stated truths in this match report because I completely lost track of who scored and who did what. Still, best to get it out of the system before the season starts or else some upcoming reviews are going to resemble jigsaw puzzles with important pieces missing.
I know for definite that the first was a penalty from the boot of Lee Connor with the game barely minutes old but this is where it starts to get a bit murky. The second was netted by David Wallace (apologies if it wasn't) but I'm absolutely certain that Lee Blackshaw got the third by knocking in a rebound off the bar with the side of his head. It's possible that he got the fourth as well but I wouldn't swear on it in court!
Thankfully my memory is slightly better when it comes to recalling the following forty five minutes. Gareth Hamlet rolled the ball into an empty net for the fifth after beating the keeper in a chase for a loose pass and scored the seventh a moment before the referee brought the game to a conclusion. I've no idea who got the sixth goal and the filling in the Hamlet sandwich (other than that he was wearing the number four shirt and had a good game) but it was a pretty fearsome shot from close range after good work down the left.
It's easy to dismiss Marsden as a creditable opposition (and I'm sure that given more time to arrange these games a sterner test would have been the preferred option to take us into the new season) but they have picked up some impressive results over the last few weeks.
But you can learn just as many important things in games like this one as you can in matches against teams from the Conference North or a Second Division youth side; the main one being how the players apply themselves and on that count Mossley passed with flying colours. The game was over as a contest very early on but the home side never took their foot off the pedal and continued to put the Yorkshire side to the sword. No showboating, just a desire to score as many goals as possible which, personally speaking, is how it should be.
To Garforth now and the serious stuff. And I must remember to take a pen and paper.
Mossley 5 - 1 Elland Athletic
Another day, another friendly and the latest installment of the Lilywhites rebuilding programme saw Halifax amateur side Elland Athletic provide the opposition on a rare sun kissed summer evening (at least when there's a football match on) in north-east Manchester/south-east Lancashire - take your pick as to which you prefer.
Expectations of an ensuing comfortable victory were heightened when with the game only minutes old the Lilywhites took the lead. A calamitous mix-up between the Elland keeper and one of his defenders gave David Wallace the opportunity to roll the ball into an unguarded net from thirty yards. No mean feat on Seel Park's bobbly surface.
.
The flood gates didn't open though as the visitors showed more flair and imagination than Ashton United had done in the previous friendly last Friday. Aided by a well marshalled back line playing the offside trap six inches from the halfway line they certainly made Mossley work for their win. In fact they came incredibly close to levelling the scores when a shot from the edge of the box pinged back off an upright and into the arms of a grateful Ashley Connor.
The home side eventually started to work a way around the Elland defence and two goals in quick succession saw them take a three goal lead into the break. The first of this brace came via the head of Arron Kirk from a corner (although he had to wait a moment for the ball to bounce off the bar and goal line a couple of times before it registered as a goal) whilst the second was another result of the quick thinking and burst of pace we've seen from Kitson Gayle over the past fortnight.
Hopes of a first clean sheet of the pre-season campaign ended within the first five minutes of the second period when an Elland players mazy dribble into the box came to an end; sent he crashing to the floor by a Mossley foot. Actually 'crashing' is not the right word... slowly lowering himself is perhaps more descriptive. That's not to say it wasn't a penalty (it clearly was) but the kick had been awarded, taken, scored and the match restarted before the foulee actually hit the ground.
As the game wore on Mossley's higher level of fitness quickly became increasingly apparent and it was no surprise that the number of chances at the Halifax sides end of the field started to grow. Most of the players in a white shirt had a pop at increasing the goal tally but only Lee Blackshaw and Jamie Miller could add to the scoreline before time ran out.
Following on from the Ashton and Thackley games it was once again another encouraging display from Mossley. Like I said in my last report there are still wrinkles that need ironing out. However I've yet to speak to anyone who isn't quietly impressed by the way things seem to be progressing. Undoubtedly there are some players whose names have already been entered onto the teamsheet for the Garforth game in ink, let alone pencil, but choosing the rest of that starting eleven is not a job I envy.
So many impressive players, so few places.
Expectations of an ensuing comfortable victory were heightened when with the game only minutes old the Lilywhites took the lead. A calamitous mix-up between the Elland keeper and one of his defenders gave David Wallace the opportunity to roll the ball into an unguarded net from thirty yards. No mean feat on Seel Park's bobbly surface.
.The flood gates didn't open though as the visitors showed more flair and imagination than Ashton United had done in the previous friendly last Friday. Aided by a well marshalled back line playing the offside trap six inches from the halfway line they certainly made Mossley work for their win. In fact they came incredibly close to levelling the scores when a shot from the edge of the box pinged back off an upright and into the arms of a grateful Ashley Connor.
The home side eventually started to work a way around the Elland defence and two goals in quick succession saw them take a three goal lead into the break. The first of this brace came via the head of Arron Kirk from a corner (although he had to wait a moment for the ball to bounce off the bar and goal line a couple of times before it registered as a goal) whilst the second was another result of the quick thinking and burst of pace we've seen from Kitson Gayle over the past fortnight.
Hopes of a first clean sheet of the pre-season campaign ended within the first five minutes of the second period when an Elland players mazy dribble into the box came to an end; sent he crashing to the floor by a Mossley foot. Actually 'crashing' is not the right word... slowly lowering himself is perhaps more descriptive. That's not to say it wasn't a penalty (it clearly was) but the kick had been awarded, taken, scored and the match restarted before the foulee actually hit the ground.
As the game wore on Mossley's higher level of fitness quickly became increasingly apparent and it was no surprise that the number of chances at the Halifax sides end of the field started to grow. Most of the players in a white shirt had a pop at increasing the goal tally but only Lee Blackshaw and Jamie Miller could add to the scoreline before time ran out.
Following on from the Ashton and Thackley games it was once again another encouraging display from Mossley. Like I said in my last report there are still wrinkles that need ironing out. However I've yet to speak to anyone who isn't quietly impressed by the way things seem to be progressing. Undoubtedly there are some players whose names have already been entered onto the teamsheet for the Garforth game in ink, let alone pencil, but choosing the rest of that starting eleven is not a job I envy.
So many impressive players, so few places.
Mossley 2 - 1 Ashton United
What better way to ease yourself back into a nine month long wave of peaks and troughs than a pre-season friendly against a local rival?
Unfortunately this was nothing like a friendly. Bookings, swinging arms, two footed lunges, wild rants at the officials (and that was just the visitors) - the game had pretty much everything other than a constant stream of goalmouth incidents. For the first half hour in particular, any momentum the game was managing to build was continually being interrupted by the shrill of the referee's whistle as some players sought to make their mark on the game or anything else that happened to be in their way.
The first chance of any note fell to the home side two thirds of the way through the opening half. Kitson Gayle used his considerable turn of place to break free of the Ashton back four but his early shot from distance, as Ashton keeper Damien Rooney bore down on him, passed narrowly wide of the wrong side of the post.
Ten minutes before the break Mossley were given the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot after Jamie Miller's attempts to get on the end of a corner were impeded by ex-Lilywhite Billy McCartney barging into his midriff head first. Responsibility was handed to Lee Connor and he calmly placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of his old sides goal. That lead was almost doubled when Jamie Miller powered a header from Paul Garvey's cross against the underside of the bar that, much to the Robins relief, bounced to safety off the goal line.
Five minutes into the second period Mossley did increase their lead and once again Billy McCartney can claim an unwanted assist in it's build-up. Kitson Gayle had turned and beaten his marker only for McCartney to, somewhat cynically, send him crashing to the floor despite their being at least another three Ashton players between the Mossley man and the goal. Gayle took the resultant free-kick himself and punished the visitors by looping it high over their wall and beyond the outstretched arm of Damien Rooney. Mossley continued to press forward but couldn't turn possession into chances though Joel Bryce did go extremely close with a header.
With the game nearing its end Ashton's first real opportunity of the game presented itself when a momentary switch off in the Mossley back line left Bennet with only Ashley Connor to beat but he snatched at his shot and sent the ball wide which was probably the most difficult option available to him. Time was almost up when Ashton eventually got something out of the game and halved the deficit - Glynn Barker reacting quickest during a scramble to stab the ball home from close range.
Three games in to the build-up and things seem to be progressing at a nice and steady pace. Many players continue to impress though with memories of James Tyrell-Nestor still fresh from last pre-season, I'll refrain from going overboard with praise just in case. Plus after nearly eighteen months of a staid, 'not losing is more important than winning' approach it's good to see attacking football back at Seel Park and players not frightened to have a pop at goal.
If there's any criticism (hey, it wouldn't be Mossley80 if there wasn't) it's that there was perhaps just a touch too much long ball at times but that was probably down to the players still getting to know one another more than anything else. Full credit to them though for keeping their heads (Paul Garvey just about managing too after Phil Edgehill almost dislodged it with a flailing arm in the first half) whilst some around them in blue shirts were losing theirs.
To be fair to Ashton it was probably a no-win game for them. Win and it was expected, lose and it's a poor result. Out of the Tameside teams that don't count Seel Park as a home ground, Ashton United are the only team I have a soft spot for but I have to say that was incredibly disappointed with what I saw of them. One can hope that they calm down before the season starts because if they're going to be as indisciplined as they were in this game in a league match then they're heading for trouble. Referee's won't be as forgiving when it comes to handing out yellow cards for late tackles and, particularly, giving officials a mouthful at every available opportunity when there's something meaningful at stake.
With the season only a fortnight away its fingers crossed that the remaining two friendly games will see the steady improvement continue and we can get down to the nitty gritty of life back in the Unibond First with an optimism that has been missing around these parts for some time.
Unfortunately this was nothing like a friendly. Bookings, swinging arms, two footed lunges, wild rants at the officials (and that was just the visitors) - the game had pretty much everything other than a constant stream of goalmouth incidents. For the first half hour in particular, any momentum the game was managing to build was continually being interrupted by the shrill of the referee's whistle as some players sought to make their mark on the game or anything else that happened to be in their way.
The first chance of any note fell to the home side two thirds of the way through the opening half. Kitson Gayle used his considerable turn of place to break free of the Ashton back four but his early shot from distance, as Ashton keeper Damien Rooney bore down on him, passed narrowly wide of the wrong side of the post.
Ten minutes before the break Mossley were given the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot after Jamie Miller's attempts to get on the end of a corner were impeded by ex-Lilywhite Billy McCartney barging into his midriff head first. Responsibility was handed to Lee Connor and he calmly placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of his old sides goal. That lead was almost doubled when Jamie Miller powered a header from Paul Garvey's cross against the underside of the bar that, much to the Robins relief, bounced to safety off the goal line.
Five minutes into the second period Mossley did increase their lead and once again Billy McCartney can claim an unwanted assist in it's build-up. Kitson Gayle had turned and beaten his marker only for McCartney to, somewhat cynically, send him crashing to the floor despite their being at least another three Ashton players between the Mossley man and the goal. Gayle took the resultant free-kick himself and punished the visitors by looping it high over their wall and beyond the outstretched arm of Damien Rooney. Mossley continued to press forward but couldn't turn possession into chances though Joel Bryce did go extremely close with a header.
With the game nearing its end Ashton's first real opportunity of the game presented itself when a momentary switch off in the Mossley back line left Bennet with only Ashley Connor to beat but he snatched at his shot and sent the ball wide which was probably the most difficult option available to him. Time was almost up when Ashton eventually got something out of the game and halved the deficit - Glynn Barker reacting quickest during a scramble to stab the ball home from close range.
Three games in to the build-up and things seem to be progressing at a nice and steady pace. Many players continue to impress though with memories of James Tyrell-Nestor still fresh from last pre-season, I'll refrain from going overboard with praise just in case. Plus after nearly eighteen months of a staid, 'not losing is more important than winning' approach it's good to see attacking football back at Seel Park and players not frightened to have a pop at goal.
If there's any criticism (hey, it wouldn't be Mossley80 if there wasn't) it's that there was perhaps just a touch too much long ball at times but that was probably down to the players still getting to know one another more than anything else. Full credit to them though for keeping their heads (Paul Garvey just about managing too after Phil Edgehill almost dislodged it with a flailing arm in the first half) whilst some around them in blue shirts were losing theirs.
To be fair to Ashton it was probably a no-win game for them. Win and it was expected, lose and it's a poor result. Out of the Tameside teams that don't count Seel Park as a home ground, Ashton United are the only team I have a soft spot for but I have to say that was incredibly disappointed with what I saw of them. One can hope that they calm down before the season starts because if they're going to be as indisciplined as they were in this game in a league match then they're heading for trouble. Referee's won't be as forgiving when it comes to handing out yellow cards for late tackles and, particularly, giving officials a mouthful at every available opportunity when there's something meaningful at stake.
With the season only a fortnight away its fingers crossed that the remaining two friendly games will see the steady improvement continue and we can get down to the nitty gritty of life back in the Unibond First with an optimism that has been missing around these parts for some time.
Mossley 2 - 4 Mossley
Bear with me, this could get confusing.
On a very pleasant summers evening, Mossley welcomed Mossley to Seel Park for the first meeting between the two teams in quite some time. With each starting XI containing fair smattering of trialists, the sides entered the game in a confident mood, both coming into the game on the back of a 3-2 victory against NECL side Thackley.
Mossley went behind just after the midway point of the first half when, in a worrying echo of the last few seasons, Darren Royle rose unmarked to loop a header over Ashley Connor at a free-kick. But as Stuart Dyde pointed out, we haven't exactly been prolific at scoring from set-pieces so - swings and roundabouts. Mossley's lead didn't last too long as moments before the interval the Lilywhites scored two goals in quick succession; the second in particular being something rather special.
The advantage Mossley had was soon pegged back not long after the restart when substitute Kitson Gayle hit a ferocious shot past Connor, and I do mean ferocious. All I can say is thank goodness nets are there or else the supporters stood behind the goals this season could resemble a gathering of well beaten boxers come April.
The game was then held up for a considerable length of time when a coming to of players in the box for a cross accidentally turned into a giant version of a Newton's Cradle; heads bouncing off one another like agitated atoms. As an ice hockey fan I've seen games held up as blood is removed from the playing surface but never before at a football match. Once the injured parties had been bandaged up and had exited the pitch (fortunately there didn't appear to be anything too serious), some of the remaining players stood round with drinks bottles to try and dilute the puddle of red liquid that had been exuded.
The game quickly found its rhythm once again and despite the home side creating numerous good opportunities it was Mossley that doubled their total, finding the back of net again twice before the final whistle. Kitson Gayle once more hitting the target with an effort you could hammer nails into concrete with.
It's still way too early to start getting carried with score lines and individual performances but, nevertheless, it's a result will surely give the Mossley manager encouragement for the new season and food for thought for his opposite number, Gerry Quinn.
On a very pleasant summers evening, Mossley welcomed Mossley to Seel Park for the first meeting between the two teams in quite some time. With each starting XI containing fair smattering of trialists, the sides entered the game in a confident mood, both coming into the game on the back of a 3-2 victory against NECL side Thackley.
Mossley went behind just after the midway point of the first half when, in a worrying echo of the last few seasons, Darren Royle rose unmarked to loop a header over Ashley Connor at a free-kick. But as Stuart Dyde pointed out, we haven't exactly been prolific at scoring from set-pieces so - swings and roundabouts. Mossley's lead didn't last too long as moments before the interval the Lilywhites scored two goals in quick succession; the second in particular being something rather special.
The advantage Mossley had was soon pegged back not long after the restart when substitute Kitson Gayle hit a ferocious shot past Connor, and I do mean ferocious. All I can say is thank goodness nets are there or else the supporters stood behind the goals this season could resemble a gathering of well beaten boxers come April.
The game was then held up for a considerable length of time when a coming to of players in the box for a cross accidentally turned into a giant version of a Newton's Cradle; heads bouncing off one another like agitated atoms. As an ice hockey fan I've seen games held up as blood is removed from the playing surface but never before at a football match. Once the injured parties had been bandaged up and had exited the pitch (fortunately there didn't appear to be anything too serious), some of the remaining players stood round with drinks bottles to try and dilute the puddle of red liquid that had been exuded.
The game quickly found its rhythm once again and despite the home side creating numerous good opportunities it was Mossley that doubled their total, finding the back of net again twice before the final whistle. Kitson Gayle once more hitting the target with an effort you could hammer nails into concrete with.
It's still way too early to start getting carried with score lines and individual performances but, nevertheless, it's a result will surely give the Mossley manager encouragement for the new season and food for thought for his opposite number, Gerry Quinn.
Mossley 3 - 2 Thackley
Following the 'baptism of fire' at Bower Fold last Tuesday, the new look Mossley side took to Seel Park for the first time against Bradford based NECL opponents Thackley.
It was the visitors who were the first to threaten the scoreline when Ashley Connor was called upon to palm away a free-kick that was heading for the top corner of the net but it wasn't long before Mossley started to pose a threat of their own. A scramble in the Thackley box ended with the ball being cleared off the line and it started a sustained spell of pressure that ended with Gareth Hamlet giving Mossley the lead from the edge of the six yard box.
The lead didn't last long. With their first attack after going behind Thackley outnumbered the home side at the back post and Smith headed home unmarked following a cross from the right. Mossley's response was almost immediate and Hamlet grabbed his second of the game by finishing off an impressive move up the field by the Lilywhite's. Early in the second half Paul Garvey added a third following some good work down the right and effectively ended the game as a contest.
Further changes to personnel didn't seem to disrupt Mossley's rhythm but despite continuing to press forward they couldn't increase their winning margin. With practically the last kick of the game that margin was halved when Ettene slipped the ball under Connor but the final whistle saw Mossley confirmed as winners and deserved ones too.
Unlike last Tuesday's match, this game was always going to be a better indicator as to how Mossley are shaping up for the coming campaign. And if you were to dilute the conclusion that could be drawn from it down to one word, that word would be 'promising'. If it was two I'd stick 'very' in front.
It was the visitors who were the first to threaten the scoreline when Ashley Connor was called upon to palm away a free-kick that was heading for the top corner of the net but it wasn't long before Mossley started to pose a threat of their own. A scramble in the Thackley box ended with the ball being cleared off the line and it started a sustained spell of pressure that ended with Gareth Hamlet giving Mossley the lead from the edge of the six yard box.
The lead didn't last long. With their first attack after going behind Thackley outnumbered the home side at the back post and Smith headed home unmarked following a cross from the right. Mossley's response was almost immediate and Hamlet grabbed his second of the game by finishing off an impressive move up the field by the Lilywhite's. Early in the second half Paul Garvey added a third following some good work down the right and effectively ended the game as a contest.
Further changes to personnel didn't seem to disrupt Mossley's rhythm but despite continuing to press forward they couldn't increase their winning margin. With practically the last kick of the game that margin was halved when Ettene slipped the ball under Connor but the final whistle saw Mossley confirmed as winners and deserved ones too.
Unlike last Tuesday's match, this game was always going to be a better indicator as to how Mossley are shaping up for the coming campaign. And if you were to dilute the conclusion that could be drawn from it down to one word, that word would be 'promising'. If it was two I'd stick 'very' in front.
Stalybridge Celtic 3 - 1 Mossley
I've got to say that prior to the game my fears (which I'm sure other people held as well) were that we'd be on the receiving end of a rather heavy defeat. The facts that a group of players who'd never played together before (many of whom were more accustomed to playing sides five levels below their opponents) were up against a Conference North side, bolstered by ex-League players and midway through a pre-season programme, suggested that such a thing was an inevitability.
And to be honest it should have been. However it wasn't and that was due in no small part to some good goalkeeping, some good defending and from Stalybridge the kind of shooting that, if employed by armed forces around the world, would render warfare pointless.
The biggest offender for Celtic was Chris 'I want to be an ac-tor' Hall who missed an almost unending succession of opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. To be blunt, if you're watching a film or television programme in which someone, for some reason, is hitting a cows backside with a banjo, don't expect his name to appear next to the role in the credits. Still, should a casting call for 'The Ade Akinbiyi Biopic' ever go out...
From the outset Mossley were struggling to get any momentum going forward (what few attacks there were tending to breakdown outside the box) but there was the odd moment or two of neat interchanges, touches or breaks that looked promising for the future when the team has bedded down more. I would like to mention some of the players involved but as their names are nothing more than hastily scribbled and frighteningly illegible notes in my makeshift notebook I'll pass just this once if you'll allow me. I will say though that as well as the names I have remembered in the following paragraphs, the two first half wingers (Brighton and Noble?) looked impressive as did Lee Connor and Darren Royle under an almost constant stream of pressure.
Despite their profligacy the hosts eventually managed to find the back of the net twice. The first came courtesy of an errant pass across the Mossley back four whilst the second followed a goal mouth scramble - both goals conceded due to the inexperience of the side more than anything else.
The goal of the game though came out of the blue and, for the Mossley fans present, at the right end. After receiving the ball just inside the Bridge half, a blistering turn pace from Kingston Gayle (too fast for the auto focusing on my camera anyway) took him past the Celtic defence and to edge of the box where he fired a thunderous effort past Paddy Gambles into the corner of the net.
Minutes later the home side were given the opportunity to restore their two goal lead from the twelve yard spot. Experts at this kind of situation say that penalty kicks should be hit high and to one side for the greatest chance of scoring and that's what the taker did. What I don't think he (or anyone else) was expecting though was for Ashley Connor in the Mossley goal to palm it away to safety with a not particularly shabby penalty save. It makes you wonder what kind of stops we'll see in games that really matter.
Half-time brought about a string of personnel changes for both sides but there was no change to the overall pattern of the game. Apart from a very brief spell of Lilywhite pressure midway through the second period it was pretty much one way traffic. Like the first forty-five minutes though Celtic's attempts to add their total were being foiled by two different Mossley keepers and an hysterical lack of shooting accuracy. Eventually Paul Sykes grabbed a scrappy third and that's how it remained until the final whistle.
As first games go for a completely brand new side, a match against a team two divisions higher was always going to be a baptism of fire but Mossley didn't disgrace themselves at all. If anything I'd be more worried if I was a Stalybridge fan after watching their faltering attack fail time and again. With five more friendlies to go though before the start of the season there's enough time for players tune into each others wavelengths and as things are more likely to get better than worse, the future looks promising indeed.
And to be honest it should have been. However it wasn't and that was due in no small part to some good goalkeeping, some good defending and from Stalybridge the kind of shooting that, if employed by armed forces around the world, would render warfare pointless.
The biggest offender for Celtic was Chris 'I want to be an ac-tor' Hall who missed an almost unending succession of opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. To be blunt, if you're watching a film or television programme in which someone, for some reason, is hitting a cows backside with a banjo, don't expect his name to appear next to the role in the credits. Still, should a casting call for 'The Ade Akinbiyi Biopic' ever go out...
From the outset Mossley were struggling to get any momentum going forward (what few attacks there were tending to breakdown outside the box) but there was the odd moment or two of neat interchanges, touches or breaks that looked promising for the future when the team has bedded down more. I would like to mention some of the players involved but as their names are nothing more than hastily scribbled and frighteningly illegible notes in my makeshift notebook I'll pass just this once if you'll allow me. I will say though that as well as the names I have remembered in the following paragraphs, the two first half wingers (Brighton and Noble?) looked impressive as did Lee Connor and Darren Royle under an almost constant stream of pressure.
Despite their profligacy the hosts eventually managed to find the back of the net twice. The first came courtesy of an errant pass across the Mossley back four whilst the second followed a goal mouth scramble - both goals conceded due to the inexperience of the side more than anything else.
The goal of the game though came out of the blue and, for the Mossley fans present, at the right end. After receiving the ball just inside the Bridge half, a blistering turn pace from Kingston Gayle (too fast for the auto focusing on my camera anyway) took him past the Celtic defence and to edge of the box where he fired a thunderous effort past Paddy Gambles into the corner of the net.
Minutes later the home side were given the opportunity to restore their two goal lead from the twelve yard spot. Experts at this kind of situation say that penalty kicks should be hit high and to one side for the greatest chance of scoring and that's what the taker did. What I don't think he (or anyone else) was expecting though was for Ashley Connor in the Mossley goal to palm it away to safety with a not particularly shabby penalty save. It makes you wonder what kind of stops we'll see in games that really matter.
Half-time brought about a string of personnel changes for both sides but there was no change to the overall pattern of the game. Apart from a very brief spell of Lilywhite pressure midway through the second period it was pretty much one way traffic. Like the first forty-five minutes though Celtic's attempts to add their total were being foiled by two different Mossley keepers and an hysterical lack of shooting accuracy. Eventually Paul Sykes grabbed a scrappy third and that's how it remained until the final whistle.
As first games go for a completely brand new side, a match against a team two divisions higher was always going to be a baptism of fire but Mossley didn't disgrace themselves at all. If anything I'd be more worried if I was a Stalybridge fan after watching their faltering attack fail time and again. With five more friendlies to go though before the start of the season there's enough time for players tune into each others wavelengths and as things are more likely to get better than worse, the future looks promising indeed.
You Don't See City Live For Years Then...
One week after bemoaning the quality of performance in Manchester City's reserve team win over Stalybridge Celtic, I'm happy to say that things were a lot better at a rain swept Tameside Stadium at the weekend. Admittedly Curzon Ashton are two divisions lower but with the City side mostly made up of youth team players the gap between the teams could hardly be classed as cavernous
The Premiership kids got off to a flying start when the impressive Adam Clayton pinged an effort through a crowd of players from the edge of the box. It should have been two moments later when they were denied as clear a penalty as you'll see over the next nine or so months; the referee and linesman apparently being the only people in the ground who didn't spot a Curzon hand rise above everyone at a City corner and palm the ball away from danger. The home side pulled level not long afterwards when Mike Norton hit a daisy cutter of a free-kick from twenty yards that flew under the jumping wall, zipped past the outstretched arm of keeper Filip Mentel (yes, that is his name) and nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net.
To be honest set-pieces around the box were the only way that Curzon looked like scoring even though, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, they actually dominated possession throughout the game. However they simply couldn't do anything creative with it. Whenever they got the ball close to the City penalty area they'd invariably end up passing the ball back up the field till it reached the centre halves, whereupon a sloppy pass would hand the initiative back to the visitors.
Maybe the loss of last seasons wunderkind Steven Moores to Altrincham could hit them harder than expected as Mike Norton ploughed what was almost a lone furrow upfront, winning header after header but with no one to pick up the ball. They do have their flying winger Wayne Cahill to come back in to the team but there is more than just a suspicion that the strike force which rampaged through the NWCL and the Vase last season has been blunted.
Not particularly good news for Curzon but incredibly good news for us in our second game of the season. The again I could just have jinxed everything!
City retook the lead when David Ball pulled down an inch perfect through ball with the outside of his right foot before deftly flicking it over the keeper in one movement (a goal worthy of a much more important game) and that's how it stayed till the interval.
The second half was virtually one way traffic with the only real surprise being that City managed to increase their goal tally by just one, a Ched Evans penalty, though it wasn't for the want of trying. Credit goes to the home defence for stopping a cricket score being racked up, particularly during a goalmouth scramble in the closing minutes which saw the ball cleared off Curzon's line twice and their keeper make a fantastic one handed save that didn't look possible.
But what of the ex-Mossley men on display? Nicky Thompson played the first half at right back and had as good a game as you can expect anyone to have when they're asked to mark somebody who's not only lightning fast but appears to have had the ball glued to their feet. SAS came on as a second half substitute at centre back and with his first touch he almost put a forward in for a run on goal - unfortunately for him it was City's Ched Evans and the goal was his own. After some almost equally hair raising moments he eventually settled in but, unlike Thommo, I can't see him becoming a regular fixture in the starting XI.
Overall it was worth the Krypton Factor-like fun and games involved in getting the Northern Rail train/replacement bus service down to Ashton, and I hope that Mossley's pre-season campaign throw up a few games that impress just as much.
The Premiership kids got off to a flying start when the impressive Adam Clayton pinged an effort through a crowd of players from the edge of the box. It should have been two moments later when they were denied as clear a penalty as you'll see over the next nine or so months; the referee and linesman apparently being the only people in the ground who didn't spot a Curzon hand rise above everyone at a City corner and palm the ball away from danger. The home side pulled level not long afterwards when Mike Norton hit a daisy cutter of a free-kick from twenty yards that flew under the jumping wall, zipped past the outstretched arm of keeper Filip Mentel (yes, that is his name) and nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net.
To be honest set-pieces around the box were the only way that Curzon looked like scoring even though, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, they actually dominated possession throughout the game. However they simply couldn't do anything creative with it. Whenever they got the ball close to the City penalty area they'd invariably end up passing the ball back up the field till it reached the centre halves, whereupon a sloppy pass would hand the initiative back to the visitors.
Maybe the loss of last seasons wunderkind Steven Moores to Altrincham could hit them harder than expected as Mike Norton ploughed what was almost a lone furrow upfront, winning header after header but with no one to pick up the ball. They do have their flying winger Wayne Cahill to come back in to the team but there is more than just a suspicion that the strike force which rampaged through the NWCL and the Vase last season has been blunted.
Not particularly good news for Curzon but incredibly good news for us in our second game of the season. The again I could just have jinxed everything!
City retook the lead when David Ball pulled down an inch perfect through ball with the outside of his right foot before deftly flicking it over the keeper in one movement (a goal worthy of a much more important game) and that's how it stayed till the interval.
The second half was virtually one way traffic with the only real surprise being that City managed to increase their goal tally by just one, a Ched Evans penalty, though it wasn't for the want of trying. Credit goes to the home defence for stopping a cricket score being racked up, particularly during a goalmouth scramble in the closing minutes which saw the ball cleared off Curzon's line twice and their keeper make a fantastic one handed save that didn't look possible.
But what of the ex-Mossley men on display? Nicky Thompson played the first half at right back and had as good a game as you can expect anyone to have when they're asked to mark somebody who's not only lightning fast but appears to have had the ball glued to their feet. SAS came on as a second half substitute at centre back and with his first touch he almost put a forward in for a run on goal - unfortunately for him it was City's Ched Evans and the goal was his own. After some almost equally hair raising moments he eventually settled in but, unlike Thommo, I can't see him becoming a regular fixture in the starting XI.
Overall it was worth the Krypton Factor-like fun and games involved in getting the Northern Rail train/replacement bus service down to Ashton, and I hope that Mossley's pre-season campaign throw up a few games that impress just as much.
Is There A 'Football Fans Anonymous'?
I have a confession. I couldn’t wait for the Lilywhites’ pre-season programme to start. After two months without any live football and with Mossley’s fixture list for July looking somewhat threadbare, the craving to watch a game of football not being broadcast from some exotic clime had grown surprisingly unbearable - the football junkie that resides deep within me was in desperate need of a fix.
It's an addiction and they are terrible things; they make you do stuff that if in a rational state of mind you wouldn’t normally contemplate. And that’s why at ten minutes to three last Saturday afternoon I found myself handing £5 over to a man on the turnstiles at Bower Fold.
Yes, for shame, I paid to watch Stalybridge Celtic.
In my defence though I will say that as a Manchester City fan, as well as a supporter of the once mighty Whites, I was primarily interested in watching them and whoever the home side were was purely irrelevant. Well that’s how I’m justifying giving five of my hard earned pounds to the Tameside Reporter’s pet club.
Any road, after positioning myself in the least dirty seat I could find at the back of the Tom Pendry Stand, I sat back and prepared for what I hoped would be a thoroughly convincing display from a young City side of whom great things are expected by those “in the know”. Having watched football for so long though I should have realised, especially as a Mossley and Manchester City supporter, that hope and reality are immiscible.
Frankly, if it wasn’t for Kasper Schmeichel producing a string of saves that were above and beyond the call of duty for a pre-season run out then City would have been, it pains me to say, on the end of a thoroughly deserved thumping. Maybe it was the lack of games under their belts (or a sulk at not being picked to travel with the first team to Doncaster) but a surprisingly large number of the City players didn’t seem to be particularly interested at all.
However, despite being the better side by some distance over the course of the first half, Celtic were incredibly fortunate not to concede a spot kick before the interval; the referee waving away City’s strong appeals after Marc Laird’s run on goal was brought to a crashing halt by Simon Garner.
Now if you’re thinking that that name sounds familiar, you’re right. Garner was signed during the summer from Clitheroe where in recent seasons he’s kept us Mossley fans amused with both his ridiculous hairstyles and defensive qualities. And I’m happy to say that with Mossley once again on the horizon he’s somewhere near his “best” form judging by his display against City
City, resplendent in their new purple away kit, managed their first effort of the match on target not long after the restart and with it, took the lead. Albeit not in that straightforward a fashion. Ched Evans’ header from a right wing corner was weak and directly at Celtic’s substitute keeper. Instead of dealing with it comfortably though he dropped to the floor and somehow spilled it between his legs, giving the impression that he’d somehow managed to shoot the ball out of his backside.
The audible gasp that was emitted by the supporters that really care about the outcome of friendly games as the ball trickled slowly towards the goal was replaced by a sigh of relief when it stopped on the line, only for that gasp to echo around the ground once again as Celtic player bounded in and hit the static ball into the back of the net. Surprisingly some of the supporters sat nearby didn’t find this quite as funny as I seemed to.
Parity was restored not long after when ex-Latics player Matty Barlow (afforded the kind of space normally associated to someone with an aversion to soap, water and toothpaste) received the ball eight yards out and hammered the ball past Schmeichel - providing the City keeper with the opportunity to show everyone just what tips he’s picked up from his dad by vociferously laying into his wayward defence.
As the game slowly ground its way towards a conclusion it was becoming increasingly apparent that both sides were content with a share of the spoils. That was until with two minutes to go Irish youngster Karl Moore capped a fine display as a second half substitute for City by cutting in from the right after flummoxing his marker and scoring from a very narrow angle. A brief round of applause and then it was time to go.
As people are fond of saying at this time of the year, “its performances that matter, not results” – something that will comfort the Stalybridge management team more than the City’s, despite the visitors win. From a Mossley perspective though the appearance that Stalybridge have ‘clicked’ this early into the pre-season campaign is slightly worrying ahead of next Tuesday’s game. The result may not matter but the last thing the Lilywhite’s new look and never before played together side (outside of Hurst Cross) needs is a comprehensive and demoralising spanking. Then again I expected City to do the same to Stalybridge…
Until then I’ll be satisfying my craving for football of any kind at Curzon this coming Saturday. That is unless a patch is developed or someone performs an intervention and puts me on a twelve steps programme.
It's an addiction and they are terrible things; they make you do stuff that if in a rational state of mind you wouldn’t normally contemplate. And that’s why at ten minutes to three last Saturday afternoon I found myself handing £5 over to a man on the turnstiles at Bower Fold.
Yes, for shame, I paid to watch Stalybridge Celtic.
In my defence though I will say that as a Manchester City fan, as well as a supporter of the once mighty Whites, I was primarily interested in watching them and whoever the home side were was purely irrelevant. Well that’s how I’m justifying giving five of my hard earned pounds to the Tameside Reporter’s pet club.
Any road, after positioning myself in the least dirty seat I could find at the back of the Tom Pendry Stand, I sat back and prepared for what I hoped would be a thoroughly convincing display from a young City side of whom great things are expected by those “in the know”. Having watched football for so long though I should have realised, especially as a Mossley and Manchester City supporter, that hope and reality are immiscible.
Frankly, if it wasn’t for Kasper Schmeichel producing a string of saves that were above and beyond the call of duty for a pre-season run out then City would have been, it pains me to say, on the end of a thoroughly deserved thumping. Maybe it was the lack of games under their belts (or a sulk at not being picked to travel with the first team to Doncaster) but a surprisingly large number of the City players didn’t seem to be particularly interested at all.
However, despite being the better side by some distance over the course of the first half, Celtic were incredibly fortunate not to concede a spot kick before the interval; the referee waving away City’s strong appeals after Marc Laird’s run on goal was brought to a crashing halt by Simon Garner.
Now if you’re thinking that that name sounds familiar, you’re right. Garner was signed during the summer from Clitheroe where in recent seasons he’s kept us Mossley fans amused with both his ridiculous hairstyles and defensive qualities. And I’m happy to say that with Mossley once again on the horizon he’s somewhere near his “best” form judging by his display against City
City, resplendent in their new purple away kit, managed their first effort of the match on target not long after the restart and with it, took the lead. Albeit not in that straightforward a fashion. Ched Evans’ header from a right wing corner was weak and directly at Celtic’s substitute keeper. Instead of dealing with it comfortably though he dropped to the floor and somehow spilled it between his legs, giving the impression that he’d somehow managed to shoot the ball out of his backside.
The audible gasp that was emitted by the supporters that really care about the outcome of friendly games as the ball trickled slowly towards the goal was replaced by a sigh of relief when it stopped on the line, only for that gasp to echo around the ground once again as Celtic player bounded in and hit the static ball into the back of the net. Surprisingly some of the supporters sat nearby didn’t find this quite as funny as I seemed to.
Parity was restored not long after when ex-Latics player Matty Barlow (afforded the kind of space normally associated to someone with an aversion to soap, water and toothpaste) received the ball eight yards out and hammered the ball past Schmeichel - providing the City keeper with the opportunity to show everyone just what tips he’s picked up from his dad by vociferously laying into his wayward defence.
As the game slowly ground its way towards a conclusion it was becoming increasingly apparent that both sides were content with a share of the spoils. That was until with two minutes to go Irish youngster Karl Moore capped a fine display as a second half substitute for City by cutting in from the right after flummoxing his marker and scoring from a very narrow angle. A brief round of applause and then it was time to go.
As people are fond of saying at this time of the year, “its performances that matter, not results” – something that will comfort the Stalybridge management team more than the City’s, despite the visitors win. From a Mossley perspective though the appearance that Stalybridge have ‘clicked’ this early into the pre-season campaign is slightly worrying ahead of next Tuesday’s game. The result may not matter but the last thing the Lilywhite’s new look and never before played together side (outside of Hurst Cross) needs is a comprehensive and demoralising spanking. Then again I expected City to do the same to Stalybridge…
Until then I’ll be satisfying my craving for football of any kind at Curzon this coming Saturday. That is unless a patch is developed or someone performs an intervention and puts me on a twelve steps programme.
Lateral Thinking...
With Quiz Night V on the horizon (Thursday, 21st June at 8:00pm in the Mossley AFC Social Club), now is as good a time as any to bone up on your general knowledge in preparation for whatever questions may come your way.
On the other hand you could get into mental shape by trying your hand at the following link instead:
The Impossible Quiz?
Please bear in mind though that I take no responsibility for the frustration it will undoubtedly cause and the valuable minutes of your free time that will be eaten up as you have " just one more go."
On the other hand you could get into mental shape by trying your hand at the following link instead:
The Impossible Quiz?
Please bear in mind though that I take no responsibility for the frustration it will undoubtedly cause and the valuable minutes of your free time that will be eaten up as you have " just one more go."
O Canada!
To the ordinary football supporter the summer in a year that ends with an odd number is the stuff that nightmares are made of – a full month and a bit without seeing anybody kick a ball around in an organised game. Nearly three if it’s a meaningful match that you crave.
Whilst some fans slowly count the days till the whole thing kicks off in earnest once again, others look elsewhere in the world for a fix and Mossley80 is no exception as we're keeping a close eye on FC Toronto's first season in the MLS.
Your respose of "Why?" is an extremely good question so let me answer it this way:
So far they haven't been ripping up trees in their inaugral campaign and currently lie sixth out of seven in the Eastern division. A situation that wasn't helped by them scoring a whopping total of 0 goals in their first four games. Fortunately for the team and supporters, Dichio managed to break that duck in their fifth game at home to Chicago Fire. Unfortunately for the stewards and anyone hoping for the match to finish on time, it coincided with 'free cushion' day...
Whilst some fans slowly count the days till the whole thing kicks off in earnest once again, others look elsewhere in the world for a fix and Mossley80 is no exception as we're keeping a close eye on FC Toronto's first season in the MLS.
Your respose of "Why?" is an extremely good question so let me answer it this way:
- It's football.
- Canadian relatives.
- Any side that has Danny Dichio leading their attack needs all the support it can get.
- They haven't adopted a ludicrous name like the LA Galaxy, the New York Red Bulls or the laughable, on so many levels, Real Salt Lake.
- They actually sell chip butties at the ground on match day. Something that many clubs in this country can't even muster.
So far they haven't been ripping up trees in their inaugral campaign and currently lie sixth out of seven in the Eastern division. A situation that wasn't helped by them scoring a whopping total of 0 goals in their first four games. Fortunately for the team and supporters, Dichio managed to break that duck in their fifth game at home to Chicago Fire. Unfortunately for the stewards and anyone hoping for the match to finish on time, it coincided with 'free cushion' day...
"In The Summertime..."
Whilst pondering the question as to whether or not last seasons on field exploits could have been any worse, the end of the 2006/07 campaign also threw up another conundrum - what to do with a blog about a football team who won’t be playing for the best part of three months?
After initially toying with the idea of doing a season review (and quickly coming to the conclusion that living it once was bad enough) I've decided to keep the blog ticking over for the summer by bringing you a few things from elsewhere on the world wide web; clips and links that may help pass the odd minute or two until Mossley v2007.08 take to the sun baked earth of Seel Park and once again do battle with our highly regarded peers. And Woodley and Curzon too.
Not all of the stuff that’s posted will be football related but it will hopefully amuse or at the very least be a pleasant diversion whilst the clocks slowly tick towards the new season. I will give advance warning though if any of the videos or links offered up for your perusal should only be viewed by people with strong constitutions and not those who are very easily offended or at work!
With all that preamble out of the way it’s on to the inaugural selection: two and a bit minutes of footballers hilariously being hit in the groin...
On a related note you might want to check out this clip from the Curzon Ashton - Squires Gate game in March. Whilst Wayne Cahill 'hitting the post' is undoubtedly the reason why the M.E.N. posted the video on the web, the real highlight is the refusal of Curzon's PA announcer to show the slightest bit of sympathy. As Cahill lies there having his testicles retracted from his body with the aid of a torch and an ice cream scoop, Mr Announcer presses on with the clubs official goal celebrations, no matter how inappropriate it may be...
After initially toying with the idea of doing a season review (and quickly coming to the conclusion that living it once was bad enough) I've decided to keep the blog ticking over for the summer by bringing you a few things from elsewhere on the world wide web; clips and links that may help pass the odd minute or two until Mossley v2007.08 take to the sun baked earth of Seel Park and once again do battle with our highly regarded peers. And Woodley and Curzon too.
Not all of the stuff that’s posted will be football related but it will hopefully amuse or at the very least be a pleasant diversion whilst the clocks slowly tick towards the new season. I will give advance warning though if any of the videos or links offered up for your perusal should only be viewed by people with strong constitutions and not those who are very easily offended or at work!
With all that preamble out of the way it’s on to the inaugural selection: two and a bit minutes of footballers hilariously being hit in the groin...
On a related note you might want to check out this clip from the Curzon Ashton - Squires Gate game in March. Whilst Wayne Cahill 'hitting the post' is undoubtedly the reason why the M.E.N. posted the video on the web, the real highlight is the refusal of Curzon's PA announcer to show the slightest bit of sympathy. As Cahill lies there having his testicles retracted from his body with the aid of a torch and an ice cream scoop, Mr Announcer presses on with the clubs official goal celebrations, no matter how inappropriate it may be...
Stats Entertainment 2007
Before the 06/07 season becomes an unpleasant and not particularly cherished memory, I’ve compiled a few statistics that may or may not be of interest to someone. Somewhere. Possibly.
The first set are your average, run-of-the-mill bit of number crunching that usually appear at a seasons end:
Next on the agenda is an update to a chart that I originally put on the blog in January detailing the periods during a game in which goals were scored and conceded:
The third and final (and frankly most spoddy) set of statistics is a breakdown of the goals that were scored at Seel Park between August and the end of April both for and against Mossley:
So there you go, the question that was on everybody's lips has finally been answered - more goals were scored at the School End than the more popular Park End. I know I'll sleep easier tonight...
Whilst they’re not the most visually stimulating set of statistics ever produced, I hope that the information contained within is decipherable enough. Are they useful? Probably not but I'll leave it up to you to draw any conclusions you wish from the information provided.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to put my calculator in a bucket of cold water as it's giving off enough heat to melt steel.
The first set are your average, run-of-the-mill bit of number crunching that usually appear at a seasons end:
Next on the agenda is an update to a chart that I originally put on the blog in January detailing the periods during a game in which goals were scored and conceded:
- Just over one fifth of the goals conceded this season (20.45%) came in the final ten minutes of of matches.
- We won only two matches that we'd gone behind in (Grantham away and Burscough at home. Both games within two days of each over over the August bank Holiday weekend).
- Conversely, we lost eight games in which we'd taken the lead
- We won only two matches that we'd gone behind in (Grantham away and Burscough at home. Both games within two days of each over over the August bank Holiday weekend).
The third and final (and frankly most spoddy) set of statistics is a breakdown of the goals that were scored at Seel Park between August and the end of April both for and against Mossley:
So there you go, the question that was on everybody's lips has finally been answered - more goals were scored at the School End than the more popular Park End. I know I'll sleep easier tonight...
Whilst they’re not the most visually stimulating set of statistics ever produced, I hope that the information contained within is decipherable enough. Are they useful? Probably not but I'll leave it up to you to draw any conclusions you wish from the information provided.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to put my calculator in a bucket of cold water as it's giving off enough heat to melt steel.
Gateshead 2 - 0 Mossley
In the final game of the season Mossley lost 2-0 to Gateshead at the International Athletic Stadium with both goals coming in the second half. And that's all of what I know about the game. I had intended to stretch the above out by inserting a report on Curzon's final league game of the season into it but after getting so incredibly peed off over the past week I really can't be bothered.
So if you're reading this in the hope of hearing about a) the NWCL Runners-up Shield being carried around pre-match in a carrier bag, b) the fact that there were more people on the pitch than in the stands for the presentation of the aforementioned shield prior to the kick-off, c) the distinct lack of irony as 'Simply The Best' and 'We Are The Champions' played over the P.A. system as the trophy handover took place, d) a superb attacking display by Newcastle's Ashley Miller which enabled the Staffordshire side to thump an understrength Curzon 5 - 1 or e) the hysterical own goal the home side scored in the last minute which even had Gary Lowe wetting himself in the dugout - I'm sorry.
I'll admit that as a way to end a season's worth of match reports on Mossley80 it's something of a damp squib but after what's happened in the previous eight and a half months it seems almost fitting as well.
So if you're reading this in the hope of hearing about a) the NWCL Runners-up Shield being carried around pre-match in a carrier bag, b) the fact that there were more people on the pitch than in the stands for the presentation of the aforementioned shield prior to the kick-off, c) the distinct lack of irony as 'Simply The Best' and 'We Are The Champions' played over the P.A. system as the trophy handover took place, d) a superb attacking display by Newcastle's Ashley Miller which enabled the Staffordshire side to thump an understrength Curzon 5 - 1 or e) the hysterical own goal the home side scored in the last minute which even had Gary Lowe wetting himself in the dugout - I'm sorry.
I'll admit that as a way to end a season's worth of match reports on Mossley80 it's something of a damp squib but after what's happened in the previous eight and a half months it seems almost fitting as well.
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