Mossley's Unbeaten Run Comes To An End

NPL West: City of Liverpool 1-0 Mossley

Mossley's frustrating 'Jekyll & Hyde' form returned on Saturday as the Lilywhites went down 1-0 to City of Liverpool at their temporary Ellesmere Port home and also had centre back Devon Matthews sent off for a second bookable offence.

The home side showed more desire on the day and that would have disappointed manager David Fish as the Lilywhites took over 80 minutes to create a serious effort on goal. In fact, neither side had particular threatened the other’s goal when City of Liverpool took a 30th minute lead. A deep free kick wasn’t fully cleared and the ball broke to centre back Ryan Schofield who fired home from the edge of the box through a crowd of players with Brad Kelly unsighted.

Mossley mustered a few crosses that came to naught, the closest the Lilywhites came was a Banister header from Morris’ right wing cross but the effort lacked power and the keeper was able to gather easily.

Ollie Broe replaced Sam Kilner at half time after the stand in left back had struggled against lively winger Bahula. Broe faired little better and Bahula remained a constant menace.

Jamie Hill made his first appearance after returning to Mossley when he replaced Jordan Butterworth and the direct winger showed some good pace and skill in his 20 minute cameo.

CoL brought on big center forward Quarless and he immediately caused problems bringing a good save out of Kelly.

The job of getting something from the game was made harder when Devon Matthews committed a foul and was dismissed for a second yellow card having already been booked a few minutes earlier.

Soon after the home side were awarded a penalty for a foul by Broe but Kelly flung himself to his left to brilliantly save Hazlehurst’s spot kick. Kelly then recovered quickly to make another outstanding save mere seconds later.

Rookie centre back Tyler Williams replaced Fawns for his debut to give Mossley it’s full compliment of defenders once more. 

Banister finally had Mossley’s first shot on target which was deflected for a corner but the home side broke quickly and Bahula’s effort came back off the post.

Mossley forced a couple of late corners but were unable to trouble the home goal and City of Liverpool hung on to deservedly take all three points.

Picture by Martyn Nolan