Mossley have more to offer

MOSSLEY, who tonight play hosts to FC Halifax Town, are surprise early-season pacesetters in first division north of the UniBond League.

Four wins from their first five league games has catapulted the new-look Lilywhites into second place. They are on the same number of points as leaders Newcastle Blue Star.

It is a stark contrast to last season when Mossley narrowly avoided relegation after a terrible second half to the campaign.

Yet manager Chris Willcock, who took over the Seel Park managerial hot seat in the summer, is not satisfied, believing the side can still play a lot better.

“It is a steady and solid start, but I believe there is still a lot more to come,” explained Willcock.

It has been a continually evolving side and in the last 10 days Willcock has signed three new players and released two.

Winger Scott Holt, the former FC United player, has been recruited from Irlam Town; midfield player Ryan Cook, a Failsworth lad from Manchester League side Avro and utility player Nick Boshell from Harrogate Railway.

Willcock has allowed Matty Kemp and Dave Brooke to leave.

The Lilywhites manager says he can envisage problems keeping players happy as he has a 22-strong squad and no reserve side to accommodate his fringe players.

Willcock is looking forward to tonight’s game against the Shaymen who were a Football League club until 2002 when they lost their status for a second time.

After before forced into administration last season, Halifax reformed but were relegated three divisions from Blue Square Premier to UniBond League first division north.

They have won only once in their first four league games but with player/assistant manager Nigel Jemson and former Athletic striker Ryan Sugden in their ranks, Willcock does not expect them to be languishing near the foot of the table for long.

He said: “When you look at their players and set up, I am sure it will only be a matter of time before they pick up.”




OLDHAM Town, who are in league action tonight at local rivals Rochdale Town, recently had two match officials who had to travel to their home FA Cup tie against Rossendale by air.

Assistant referees Kevin Giles and Alan Cowin were both from the Isle of Man, but thankfully Town didn’t have to pay travelling expenses.

The pair flew to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport where they were met by match referee Joe Johnson.

After the game they had to dash back from the Whitebank Stadium to catch the 7.30pm flight back to Douglas.

CHADDERTON’S reserve side has been reinforced by the captures of left-sided Anthony O’Neill, from FC United, and striker Steven Barrow who has been recruited from former Oldham Sunday League side Legends.