Mossley Marr McNally Opener

By Simon Driscoll

Skelmersdale United suffered a 5-1 humbling at home to a resiliant Mossley side in the first game of a new era under Paul McNally.

McNally took the reins on Thursday after defeat at Clitheroe saw Dave Powell's tenure come to an end and he welcomed Dimi Christou and Dave Moore into the side after recent unavailability in place of the suspended Ishmael Banks and injured Oliver Van Veen. Danny McLoughlin started against his former club while James Webb replaced the departed Jack Fleming in defence.

The opening minutes saw United register the first chance as a turn and flick from Charlie Duke from distance saw a comfortable collection by Ben Purdham. Mossley responded with the opening goal on six minutes, a wing run from Aaron Dwyer saw him cross for Szymon Czubik to head past Terry Smith for a debut goal at 1-0.

Mossley went close to doubling their lead minutes later as Declan Evans hit narrowly past the post from a corner while at the other end, Alex Griffiths swept the ball past the goalframe from just outside the box. United pushed for a leveller with a strong run into the box from Dave Moore resulting in a pass to Sean Yeldrem who set up Tom Molyneux for a powerful shot over the bar.

A low cross from Yeldrem found Griffiths just yards from goal but a heavy touch denied him the chance to test Purdham while Moore fired wide of the target minutes later. Mossley doubled their lead on 26 minutes as a scramble from a corner saw Ben Halfacre back-heel towards goal, United looked to have cleared off the line but the referee awarded the effort making it 2-0 after advice from the linesman.

Will Dunne clipped a shot past the post before a superb chance to cut the gap minutes later saw him collect an aerial pass and chip over Purdham, sadly the effort travelled past the post.The second half began with United achingly close to cutting the gap, Tom Molyneux's curling free kick found Phil Mooney who clipped over the bar from close range, a miss that proved costly for United just two minutes later. James Webb's defensive header allowed Dwyer to collect and cross for Halfacre who tapped past Smith for a 3-0 lead on 48 minutes.

After two assists, Dwyer was unfortunate not to score himself on 50 minutes as his free-kick cannoned back off the post but Mossley were to extend the lead just two minutes later. Dieter Downey's lofted cross to the far post forced Smith off his line and the header down to Halfacre allowed him to slot in for his hat-trick at 4-0.

A goal-line clearance from Charles Duke denied Mossley a fifth goal on the hour mark and United reduced the deficit on 68 minutes, substitute Luke Duffy's clever through pass saw Yeldrem advance on goal and round Purdham to slot in for 4-1. United could have made it 4-2 on 79 minutes, Moore's run and cutback was cleared into the path of Dunne who saw his shot blocked before Duffy's rebound was cleared.

A double blow for United saw Phil Mooney dismissed for a second booking on 83 minutes with Mossley making it 5-1 two minutes later with United caught out in defence allowing Godwin Abadaki to slot into an empty net. A late chance for United saw Dunne's angled free-kick blocked at the far post before the final whistle sounded extending United's wait for a home win this season.

Skelmersdale United - Smith, Duke, Webb (O'Hara 52 ), Molyneux, Mooney (c), Christou, McLoughlin (Duffy 52), Griffiths (Robinson 74), Yeldrem, Moore, Dunne. Subs not used - Keegan, Daniels.

Mossley - Purdham, Jeffs, Downey, Harrison (Quansah 47), Nolan, Evans, Abadaki, Keogh, Halfacre (McLaughlin 74), Czubik (Fish 67), Dwyer. Subs not used- Richardson, Leonard.

Referee- R.Holmes
Att-156.