Lilywhites land opening day victory

NPL North West: Mossley 2-0 Ossett United

Mossley eased to a well deserved opening day League win over Ossett United at Seel Park on Saturday with a controlled and efficient performance in front of a capacity 400 gate.

Mossley were without the injured Jes Uchegbulam and Steve Mason but welcomed club skipper Andy Keogh back to the side while Danny McLaughlin replaced Harry Pratt in the number 9 shirt.

The game opened with both sides tentatively feeling each other out but it was the visitors who had the first effort on goal as Haswell’s shot was deflected away from goal but little was seen of Ossett’s attack thereafter as Mossley began to get a grip of the game.

Shenton and Mulveyt combined well on the left and latter’s pass set up Matty Waller who tricked his way to a little space but saw his shot saved by Ossett keeper Dearnley.

Mossley were looking the more threatening as Ossett conceded a series of free kicks predominantly for fouls on the dangerous Mulvey.

It was to be Mulvey who was the provider for the opening goal on 21 minutes. His well struck right wing corner was clawed back to him by Dearnley only for the Rochdale loanee to find Andy Keogh at the far post. Captain Keogh efficiently found the roof of the net from an awkward angle to give the Lilywhites a deserved lead following some sustained pressure.

Ossett’s response was immediate as the Lilywhites defence momentarily switched off as ex FC United striker Greaves was denied by Liam Lovell’s ’champagne moment’ save and soon after Kilner was forced to head off the line from a rare Ossett corner.

Once composure was regained Mossley’s control of the game saw the Lilywhites dominant through to the break, Richardson coming closest with a header narrowly wide.

The Lilywhites were soon into their stride again after the interval and deservedly doubled the lead in the 51st minute. Great work by the lively McLaughlin and Mulvey on the left saw the latter set up Ryan Shenton who calmly picked his spot with a shot into the top right hand corner for his third goal in two games.

It now became mostly about game management and that was completed superbly. The back four performed excellently, teenager Grundy had the always dangerous Greaves ’in his pocket’ and the Lilywhites saw out the game with great aplomb.

Ex Everton starlet George Green appeared as a substitute for Ossett which livened the visitors up a little but he had no real effect on the game barring a well struck free kick that flew narrowly wide and a late foul on the hard working Hickman which was possibly worthy of more than the yellow card he received.

The last real chance of the game fell to Mossley substitute Dylan Fitzgerald who rode a couple of tackles before being denied a goal by Dearnley’s acrobatic save.

Picture by Martyn Nolan @BeansOnToastUK (Rochdale loanee Keaton Mulvey has eyes for the ball)