New Mossley management duo off to a flier

Non-league and amateur football, by Ryan Booth

New Mossley joint-managers Dave Wild and Terry Hincks got off to a flyer as the Lilywhites earned their second victory of 2018 with a convincing 4-2 away triumph at Ramsbottom United on Easter Saturday.

Goals from Mike Fish, Andy Keogh, Jack Tuohy and Tom Dean ensured Mossley ran out comfortable winners at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

After long-serving joint-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison left the club last week, Mossley were looking to win for just the second time this year - and they couldn’t have asked for a better start as Fish latched onto a clever through ball from Mason Duffy before finishing low past Rammy stopper Sam Ashton to notch his 91st goal for the club.

The visitors doubled their lead just four minutes later when Keogh capitalised on some static defending from the hosts to walk the ball around Ashton and two helpless defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the empty goal.

Despite finding themselves two goals down, the visitors responded well and clawed their way back into the contest when Dean Stott’s long-range effort flew past Callum Spencer in the Lilywhites goal.

However, Mossley weren’t to be denied and restored their two-goal cushion as Duffy’s curling cross found the head of Fish and the experienced hitman unselfishly nodded down to former Athletic man Tuohy, who finished well from close-range.

The hosts pulled one back when Luke Jordan finished off a well-worked team move, but Dean’s 74th-minute header secured the spoils and sent the travelling support into ecstasy.

Joint-manager Wild said: “We’re really pleased. Myself, Phil and Terry came into it blind, not knowing much about the squad or knowing their strength and their weaknesses.

“The last seven games are going to be positive, competitive, workmanlike and we’re going to see the season out with a bang.”

Mossley’s scheduled Easter Monday derby clash with Glossop North End was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Seel Park. The game has since been arranged for Thursday, April 12 (7:45pm kick-off).

Elsewhere, Jack Turnbull’s double ensured Chadderton returned to winning ways to earn a brilliant 2-0 victory at play-off chasing Holker Old Boys.

Despite having Michael Woolfe sent off, David Fish’s side hung on to claim a crucial three points at Rakesmoor.

Chaddy now occupy 17th position in the Hallmark Security League First Division, and sit 12 points above the drop zone heading into tomorrow night’s derby with Prestwich Heys at the ARK Fleetech Stadium (7:45pm).

Finally, in a week that has seen Avro’s Vestacare Stadium pass a ground-grading inspection to host step 6 [NWCFL] football next season, the club’s good fortune continued as Lee O’Brien and James Hampson’s side ran out 2-0 winners over local rivals Springhead.

Former Chadderton forward Matthew Landregan struck twice to ensure the Blues remain unbeaten in the Manchester Football League Premier Division and are now just six points away from lifting the title.

Avro are back in action this coming Saturday when they host another local side in the form of Heyside. Kick-off is 1pm at the Vestacare Stadium.

Other selected results:

Manchester FL Premier Division - Royton Town 1-2 Wythenshawe Amateurs; First Division - Chadderton Res 9-0 Pennington, Hollinwood 4-1 Boothstown; Third Division - Springhead Res 2-7 Hindsford Res, Stockport Georgians Res 0-2 Avro Res.

Lancashire Amateur League - Radcliffe Boys 2-1 Oldham Hulmeians.