Future is crucial for Mossley man Band

Non-league football: MOSSLEY joint-boss Peter Band has already turned some of his thoughts towards next season following the realisation that his team won’t make the Evo-Stik League Division One North play-offs this term.

A home draw against Harrogate Railway Athletic in midweek effectively ended the Lilywhites’ hopes of sneaking into the top five. They are now six points behind fifth-placed Spennymoor, with two games left to play, but the North-East outfit boasts a far superior goal difference.

Band said: “Everyone is disappointed that we’re going to miss out on the play-offs. It’s been a case of we should’ve, we could’ve, but we didn’t quite make it.

“We could look back on odd games here and there where we dropped crucial points, but I’d rather look at the positives and start looking towards next season now.

“After next weekend we’ll start thinking about which new players we may need for next season.”

Mossley’s 2014-15 campaign under Band and fellow joint-boss Lloyd Morrison has been far from a failure and a sixth-placed finish would be an excellent outcome given the low player budget.

The Lilywhites also have the Manchester Premier Cup final still to look forward to.

They play Tameside rivals Curzon Ashton at SportsDirect.com Park next Wednesday.

Mossley host Clitheroe tomorrow in their final home league fixture of the season.



THE race for the North-West Counties League First Division play-offs continues for CHADDERTON tomorrow. The Broadway outfit, who beat automatic promotion-chasers Hanley Town in midweek, travel to a mid-table Litherland REMYCA side who now have little to play for other than pride.



OLDHAM BORO, despite playing twice in two nights in midweek, have no fixture tomorrow.