Lilywhites appeal against ban

FA RAP . . . Mossley striker Mitchell Bryant (left) won’t play again competitively until July, 2015.

Non-league football: MOSSLEY have appealed against the “excessive” length of suspension handed to star striker Mitchell Bryant.

Former Reading youngster Bryant was sent off during a home league game against Kendal Town on September 27, after which there was an altercation between the player and the referee.

The FA has now suspended him until next July.

Stunned Lilywhites club secretary Harry Hulmes said: “To say we feel the length of the ban is excessive is an understatement. We have appealed on Mitchell’s behalf.

“It all got a bit heated and Mitchell did push the referee, and as a club we aren’t condoning that action.

“The ban seems over the top when you look at some of the higher-profile incidents in the professional game recently. We’re waiting to read the official reason for a ban of that length. Then we’ll submit our response.”

Bryant has been missed in recent weeks. He joined Mossley in the summer after moving to Swinton and had scored seven goals before the Kendal game.

Joint-manager Peter Band said: “Mitch is absolutely gutted about the ban. He’s a great lad and great player. He’s still training with us and that’s credit to him, so let’s hope we get somewhere with his appeal.”

The team will hope to arrest its run of four defeats tomorrow against Division One North’s third-bottom side, Prescot Cables.



CHADDERTON will be determined to make the most of their unexpected second chance in the prestigious FA Carlsberg Vase competition.

They were beaten 2-1 at Dronfield Town in the first round three weeks ago, but the hosts were subsequently found to have fielded an ineligible player.

Town were kicked out of the competition, so it’s now Chadderton who head to North-West Counties League First Division rivals AFC Darwen for a second-round tie.

Chadderton will head up the M66 in terrific heart, having won their last three league matches — the last a 6-1 drubbing of Wigan Robin Park.



OLDHAM BORO, who have won their last two matches, play host to Atherton LR in the league tomorrow.

They are still stuck at the foot of the First Division table and a tough task awaits: LR are fourth.

Meanwhile, Boro have been drawn away at Ashton Town in the quarter-finals of the Reusch First Division Trophy competition. No date for the clash has been agreed yet.