RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 2, MOSSLEY 3
Second-chance Mossley made the most of their reprieve as they won at Radcliffe Borough to book a place in the final of the Manchester Premier Cup.
The Lilywhites, reinstated after FC United fielded an ineligible player in their semi-final victory at Seel Park, produced an excellent performance at their Evo-Stik League, west division promotion rivals.
“We are thrilled to have reached the final, though we did it in a random way after losing. We were lucky to get back in, but made the most of our second chance,” explained joint manager Dave Wild.
In a cup tie played in far from ideal conditions – frequent showers that made an already wet pitch even more sodden – Mossley gave a dominant display and deserved their victory.
And it came after Radcliffe took an 18th minute lead through Shelton Payne whose shot went in off the upright.
The setback kick started Mossley whose response was deadly as they scored three goals in 15 minutes to take a 3-1 lead into the break.
Mike Fish, who recently scored his 100th goal for the Lilywhites, equalised as he finished a terrific move that ended with Ben Halfacre’s cushioned header presenting an easy finish for Fish.
Max Leonard put Mossley ahead as he danced through the Radcliffe defence on to a brilliant through ball from Godwin Abadaki.
Halfacre added a third goal from a terrific free kick, though the defensive wall was poorly positioned as Mossley took total control.
Radcliffe made two changes at the break and one of the substitutes Tunde Owolabi reduced the deficit to 3-2 early in the second period firing home from what appeared an impossibly tight angle.
Mossley, to their credit, managed the second period superbly and were hardly troubled as their played a high pressing game in which they defended from the front.
And they continued to carve out chances as Fish twice and Dietar Downey came close to giving Mossley a wider margin of victory.
Wild said it took Mossley falling behind for them to “wake up” but praised their response.
He added the experience of players like Adam Jones, Stephen Mason, Fish and Andy Keogh was instrumental in the victory.
“Earlier in the season we weren’t managing games right, but in the last eight to 10 games we have turned the corner,” he said.
MOSSLEY: Ollerenshaw, Richardson (Jeffs 85), Downey, Nolan (Duffy 68), Jones, Evans, Leonard, Keogh, Fish, Halfacre, Abadaki (Mason 46). Sub (not used): McGonigle