Match-off blow for Mossley

MOSSLEY were furious after their UniBond League division one north match at Durham City was abandoned after they had established a 4-0 lead.

Referee Paul Brown, of Westerhope, took the decision minutes before half time due to an icy pitch as Durham enjoyed a lucky break when it appeared their unbeaten league record for the campaign seemed set to be smashed.

It was frustrating for the in-form Lilywhites who had blitzed Durham by scoring four times in the opening 35 minutes on a difficult surface.

Durham staff had made every effort to get their Arnott Stadium pitch fit and, after several inspections, Brown gave the go-ahead with kick- off delayed by 15 minutes.

Striker Danny Egan fired Mossley ahead with a 19th minute penalty after a handball, the first of four goals in an amazing 16-minute spell.

Danny Self doubled the advantage by heading home a Christian Hirst corner and further Mossley pressure followed when Egan set up Danny Dignan for the third goal.

Goalkeeper Andy Robertson provided the assist for the fourth goal with a huge punt downfield which Egan ran on to and cooly lobbed home. However, it was all to prove to no avail.




OLDHAM TOWN were rewarded for their efforts in getting their pitch fit as they defeated AFC Blackpool 2-0 in the first division of the Vodkat North West Counties League.



But it was a case of having to be patient as both of goals came in the final quarter of the game.

The first half was one of missed chances for both sides, though Blackpool’s Jamie Cook was the busier goalkeeper, making one fine save in particular to palm away a Lee Neville shot.

There was a similar pattern to proceedings in the second half as Cook made a super stop to deny Tom Hughes.

Scoring the first goal was always going to be the key, and Town eventually made the breakthrough in the 67th minute when Stuart McGill and Darren Scanlan set up Matty Landregan who beat a defender before cooly slotting home a shot.

Town sealed victory three minutes later when Jonny Phillips fired in a long-range shot which found the net after going through a crowded goalmouth.