Comfort for Latics

Photo: Anthony Miller

ON THE CHARGE . . . Athletic forward Chris Taylor runs at the Mossley back line.

ATHLETIC recovered from their lacklustre 2-0 loss at Barrow to defeat Mossley 1-0 at Seel Park last night.

One of seven unnamed trialists notched the only goal of a scrappy affair after 16 minutes, poking home from close range.

Of the other ‘temps’ looking to earn a permanent deal, a towering centre-half, a ball-playing central midfielder and another forward started the game, while a goalkeeper, a holding midfielder and left-back Euan Holden — brother of Bolton’s Stuart — entered the fray from the substitutes’ bench.

Though the inclusion of key duo Chris Taylor and Dean Furman from the start led many to expect a bigger scoreline, the visitors were relatively comfortable throughout.

Full-back Paul Black and wing wizard Filipe Morais made welcome returns to the first team, with both men managing 25-minute cameos following their absence at the end of last season due to injury.

Goalkeeper Alex Cisak looked a more assured presence between the sticks in his 45-minute appearance, following a shaky start to his Athletic career at Barrow.

Athletic could have been in front just five minutes into the game, when skipper Furman’s inch-perfect delivery from the right was met by Taylor, who was disappointed to see his shot skid off his boot and go well wide.

Shortly afterwards Kirk Millar’s stinging effort from the right channel skimmed the crossbar as it went over.

The breakthrough came when the ‘mystery’ striking duo combined with a neat interchange and the ball was slotted home.

Three minutes later Taylor again found space in the six-yard box. Kieran Lee was the provider this time, but the forward guided his header the wrong side of the post.

Cavell Coo got his body in the way of Taylor’s fierce effort just before the break to keep the score at 1-0.

Carl Winchester, Sam Fitzgerald, Connor Hughes, Morais, Reuben Reid and Matt Smith joined the action after the interval.

Though strikers Reid and Smith failed to extend the lead, they did combine well on more than one occasion.

Targetman Smith looks a handful and his knock-back to Reid straight after the restart sat up perfectly, only for the former West Brom man to screw his attempt high and wide.

Five minutes later the roles were reversed and Smith went much closer, his left-foot shot flying past the post.

Morais’ lively cameo apart, it all got a bit scrappy as both sides struggled to create serious goal-scoring opportunities.

The home team’s best chance came just after the hour mark, but Aaron Chalmers’ superb half-volley was tipped over the bar.

As the game wore on, Fitzgerald caught the eye with his energetic play down the right. He will hope to give Lee some competition this term if Dickov hands him a chance in a competitive match.