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.

Paul Garvey completes the scoring for Mossley

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.

Ashley Connor helps preserve Mossley's lead in the closing stages of the game

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.

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