Mossley sixths miss out on semi-finals place
Lisnagarvey 7ths 5 Mossley 6ths 0
Mossley 6ths travelled to Hillsborough on Saturday for the Strabane Cup semi-final against what turned out to be a very strong Lisnagarvey 7ths team.
From the outset Mossley were under pressure, failing to deal effectively with the lively Garvey forwards, and unable to hold on to the ball long enough to keep the opposition at bay. It was not long before the pressure turned into goals. They conceded the opener from Garvey's first attack and were a further 2 down after 15 minutes. The home team added another two before half time and the match was effectively over.
In the second period Mossley eventually displayed some of the form which has propelled them to the top of the league, thwarting the Garvey attack, and launching a few forays into the Garvey circle. Unfortunately it was too little too late, although the team can take some heart from a much improved second half performance.
Man of the Match – Alec Baird
Mossley 2nds 1
Lisnagarvey 2nds 1
Mossley 2nds good form continued last Saturday with a one all draw against Lisnagarvey 2nds. The reverse fixture earlier in the year resulted in a 5–1 defeat for the Glademen so a hard game was expected.
Both teams started well playing some nice hockey and Mossley could have scored in the 5th minute when Matthew Anderson slipped the ball to Jordan Robinson whose shot was just wide of the target. It was the away side however who took the lead after a good move down the Mossley left side. Mossley responded well after this setback and were rewarded when Ricky O'Neill scored with an excellent drag flick from his teams third short corner.
The second half started in the same manner as the first half ended, with chances falling to both teams but neither could take advantage. Mossley won four short corners right at the end of the game but could not convert any of them.
However, Mossley will be happy with a point and also the team performance with each player giving maximum effort, most notably from Mark Lee, Matthew Anderson, Mark Smyth, Jordan Robinson and Graeme Todd. Next week Mossley host Bangor 2nds at the Glade in the league.
Mossley 3rd 1
Lisnagarvey 4th 0
Last week Mossley 3rds welcomed Lisnagarvey 4ths to The Glade for the first round of the Ulster Junior Shield. Mossley started the brighter of the two teams with some good passing and movement round the pitch. It was after ten minutes that they won the first short corner of the game and it was struck into the bottom right corner by John McNeilly to give the home side the lead. The visitors then started creating some chances and had two short corners in quick succession but both shots went past the post. There were very few chances for either side to add to the score before half time.
Lisnagarvey came out in the second half determined to get back into the game and they came close when the ball was played across the face of goal to a forward at the back post, who had the goal to aim for but somehow put the ball wide.
Mossley knew this was a lucky escape and that they would have to tighten up their defence. The home side had limited chances in the second half although they came close when a cross from the right wing was met by David McEvoy at the near post but his shot went past the post.
Mossley held on for a win in the dying minutes despite Garvey throwing men forward in search of the equaliser. Man of the match this week is Neil Campbell who made some great tackles to keep his team in the game. This Saturday Mossley play Raphoe 3rds at The Glade in the second round with a 4pm push off.
Mossley 4ths 1
North Down 3rds 2
(After extra time)
Mossley 4ths faced North Down 3rds in the Ulster Junior Shield at The Glade on Friday night with a team weakened by injury and unavailability.
A very good North Down team started off like a house on fire, causing all kinds of problems for the home defence and they really should have scored during this period of dominance. Ironically, just as Mossley began to settle and put a few moves of their own together North Down scored from a very well crafted opportunity.
Gavin Campbell missed a clear chance right in front of goal before Paul Turner scored a screamer of an equaliser just before half time.
The second half was a more even affair with James Dodsworth and Jason Hill showing up well in midfield. From a left wing cross the North Down keeper made a miraculous reflex save from a Peter Farr volley.
At the other end Simon Gibson in the Mossley nets also needed to be sharp to thwart the opposing forwards.
With three minutes remaining before the dreaded penalty flick shoot out a weak shot managed to get past an unsighted Gibson to give North Down a victory they deserved based on the number of chances they created.
Man of the Match Gavin Campbell
Mossley 5ths 1
Cookstown 6ths 0
In an evenly matched game the mix of experience and youth from the home team eventually proved to be too much for an in form Cookstown team. Mossley were immediately under pressure as Cookstown exerted their dominance for the opening 15 minutes.
However, Mossley gradually gained a foothold in the game and finished the first half the stronger, mainly due to the endeavours of the Burns, Lorimer and Stewart partnership. In spite of the chances created the half finished with honours even.
On the resumption the away team found the skill and pace of Alan McQuitty hard to handle. From a free which he won Harry Burns fired an incisive ball to Sandy Sherrard who calmly slotted home. To say he was delighted to score would be a gross understatement! This reverse seemed to act as an incentive to Cookstown who pinned Mossley down in their own half for the remainder of the time. If it hadn’t been for keeper Ben McMillan, who pulled off several outstanding saves during the final stages, Mossley could easily have found themselves 3 goals down.
Man of the Match Ben McMillan
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
