AMATEUR LEAGUE: Campbell's pride as Mossley secure promotion

A rare good news story from the local Amateur League circles was Mossley FC sealing promotion to 1B, having been pipped at the post three times a few years ago under Glen McIntyre.
Mossley manager Garry Campbell. INLT 18-917-CONMossley manager Garry Campbell. INLT 18-917-CON
Mossley manager Garry Campbell. INLT 18-917-CON

Current Mossley manager Garry Campbell said: “It has been a long time since I’ve been so proud of a team I’ve looked after. It’s a fantastic achievement, we’re into 1b and the season isn’t over yet, We’ve still a chance of winning the league if we win at Downshire and Shorts and then Downshire lose at Bryansburn.

“It’s credit to all involved, the coaches were fantastic, the players committed and the committee organised – a proper club producing proper results, and making proper progress. The players have worked hard all year and more often than not you do get what you deserve in football!”

Mossley sealed the deal with three wins out of three last week. “I wanted to get it all wrapped up”, added Campbell “not having to go to Downshire and Shorts needing points!”

Even without ‘keeper Dwayne Jenkins the Campbell clan coasted to a 6-1 success at bottom club Groomsport, thanks to a four-goal haul from Lee Graham with Stevie Bell and Paul Harper also chipping in.

On Thursday, a very much understrength Mossley saw off Bryansburn 2-1 at The Glade. “One we stole,” conceded Campbell. “Bryansburn are a good side and we were down to the bare bones. It is one of the best victories I’ve ever had as a manager, considering the importance of the match and the number of players that were missing.”

Lee Graham was again the match winner, this time with two goals.

There was another double for Lee, too, as Mossley cemented their place in 1b with Saturday’s 3-1 success at home to Holywood. “Lee has been on fire” said his admiring manager “that has made the difference over the last few weeks. Saturday’s wasn’t pretty, not by a long way and fair play to Holywood they had nothing to play for. It was their last game of the season but they made it hard for us. Everything was so rushed, very much up in the air and it was one-each for a long time!”

However, Graham’s two second-half strikes, the first one just about sneaking in the right side of the post, made the difference after Holywood had scrubbed out Kyle Harper’s 10th-minute header.

Mossley bring their season to a close with those trips to Downshire (Tuesday) and Shorts (Thursday).