Match Preview

The Robins have enjoyed varying success during their first three pre-season matches this summer and with a trip to fierce rivals Mossley AFC tomorrow evening, things don’t look to be getting any easier as Paul Phillips and Steve Halford’s men gear up for the new Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season in three weeks’ time.

Due to the nature of a gruelling pre-season campaign, the supporters on the terraces at Hurst Cross will surely be treated to plenty more unfamiliar faces at the club over the next month, not to mention the backroom staff’s visions of imposing fresh formations and philosophies that they are looking to test with seven more pre-season matches left to tick off on the calendar, with Mossley AFC being the first game of three this week.

A compounding defeat away at Abbey Hey began the summer preparations 9 days ago as fitness was on the agenda for a relatively in-experienced side. This test did put the team in good stead though and after pushing a Burnley FC XI all the way on Friday night, the Robins finally got their first win of the 2015-16 pre-season campaign as they demolished North-West Counties outfit Chadderton FC 24 hours later.

After six summer signings the nucleus of the squad is now coming together nicely with a plethora of unsuccessful trialists now just a distant memory. This new found continuity looks to be helping the Robins gel together and against a powerful Mossley AFC side, a near full-strength group of 16 looks set to make the visit to Seel Park.

The close proximity of both clubs means Seel Park comes under the district of Ashton-under-Lyne, making tomorrow’s fixture a real local affair. Infact during late December 2009 severe weather caused two of the 39-year-old floodlights to collapse at Mossley’s home ground and the remaining six pylons were condemned meaning midweek home games were played at Ashton United's Hurst Cross for the remainder of the season.

ROBINS KEY-MAN:
The front-line against Abbey Hey looked incredibly toothless, with rarely any bite or cutting edge in the final third of the field that was until top goalscorer Martin Pilkington was brought into the fray. The 26-year-old injected pace and life into the game and his first touch and ability to retain the ball in tight spaces made his short cameo a breath of fresh air. The forward continually brought a new dimension to the Robins side last season and his knack of scoring goals propelled Ashton United into the play-off places.

Against Mossley AFC Pilkington will need to be on top of his game to out-smart a sturdy back-four. Yet, with the reappearance of Dale Johnson against Burnley FC XI the dynamic duo will once again complement each other’s games and the ex-Abbey Hey man will be hoping to run onto Johnson’s clever flick on’s and penetrate the Lilywhite’s defence.

OUR OPPONENTS:
Our opponents Mossley AFC finished 7th in the eight tier of English football during 2014-15 as the Lilywhite’s flirted all season with the possibility of mounting a play-off push. Despite missing out on the top five by just two points, Peter Band’s men gained plenty of fans with their free-flowing style of play and many Non-League aficionados are tipping the side to go one step further and battle for promotion in the next 12 months.

The Lilywhite’s favourable league position last season was built on solid form at Seel Park, with the side losing just once in 2015 in front of their own supporters. The club miraculously won 10 of their 13 home fixtures since New Year’s Day and the Manchester Premier Cup winners will be looking to carry on these fine performances into the new campaign.

During the past month, the Tameside based club narrowly missed out on a creditable draw against Stalybridge Celtic after a Tom Pratt goal was cancelled out by an 83rd minute Amor Ceaser strike. The Lilywhite’s banished this disappointment two days later though as they travelled to North-West Counties side Congleton Town and ran out comprehensive 4-0 victors.

A number of players have donned the shirts of both sides over the previous decade, giving this contest added bite. The Robins current joint-manager Halford began his managerial career at Seel Park, whereas coach Paul Armstrong, club Captain Jay Gorton, Gary Gee, Lee Rick and Adam Morning all featured for Mossley AFC in the past before finding their way to Hurst Cross.

LILYWHITE’S KEY-MAN:
Defensive stalwart Tom Dean has been an ever-present in the Mossley AFC side over the years and his commanding performances from the heart of the back-four in 2014-15 made him one of the most well renowned players in the division.

Dean played a huge part in helping his side register 11 clean sheets last season and his guile, aerial ability and positional placing has made him the superior of many an accomplished Non-League forward in the past.

Standing with a commanding height and build in his favour, the former Macclesfield Town man will play a huge part in the outcome of tomorrow’s game as it will be his job to keep the Robins lively forward pairing of Pilkington and Johnson quiet.