Mossley play-off bid over

BEHIND YOU: Oldham Boro’s Matty Hampson challenges Liverpool’s River Humphries.

MOSSLEY’S UniBond League division one north play-off dream is over for another season after they suffered a third defeat in five days at Skelmersdale United.

Although the Lilywhites were beaten 5-2, they couldn’t be criticised for effort and the scoreline was harsh.

The game was only two minutes old when Mark Houghton put United in front, but Mossley were back on level terms when Lee Blackshaw’s cross was headed home by captain Graham Kay.

However, United were soon back in command through Karl Ledsham’s well-worked goal, and it went from bad to worse for John Flanagan’s side.

They lost Steve Settle to a hamstring injury before conceding a third six minutes from half-time. Flanagan was then sent from the dug-out for a comment he allegedly made towards the female assistant referee.

Mossley were better after the break, and substitute Nathan Neequaye fired home from 20 yards.

The visitors gave it everything, pinning United in their own penalty area for long periods. But hopes of gaining at least a point were dashed when they conceded two goals in the last four minutes.

Chris Almond made it four for United — he scored from a long punt upfield immediately after Mossley had an effort cleared off the line — and sub Leon Quarless struck a fifth 60 seconds later.


OLDHAM Boro picked up a point in a goalless draw at home to AFC Liverpool in division one of the Vodkat North-West Counties League.

In a typical end-of-season affair, Tony Mills’ side had few in the way of scoring opportunities and they did a solid job in restricting the Merseysiders to only a handful of openings on a rock-hard surface at the Whitebank Stadium

Boro’s best chance fell to Darren Scanlan, who was unable to convert a cross — he steered a first-time shot wide of a post — while Sean Roscoe had two decent efforts.

The midfield of Duncan Philbin, Arnold Nsimbe, Matty Hampson and DJ Ogunlade impressed for the hosts, who were glad of a point after losing to Irlam in midweek.


CHADDERTON had no match.