DROYLSDEN 0, MOSSLEY 3
MOSSLEY maintained their 100-per-cent record in Evo Stik League West with an emphatic derby victory at neighbours Droylsden.
Two goals from Max Leonard and another from left-back Dieter Downey made it three wins in a row as they sit second in the table.
While joint manager Dave Wild described it as a deserved victory, he acknowledged they had good fortune on their side.
He said: “Droylsden fluffed a great chance when it was goalless. Had it gone in, it might have been a different game. Our first goal was a fluke and I also don’t think it was a penalty for our second goal.
“Before we came in, we said to be successful we needed an element of luck, and we had that. But in saying that, we got what we deserved for our showing in the second half.”
Mossley lived dangerously in the early part of the game as Kieran Lugsden and Domaine Rouse had great chances, especially Rouse whose effort deflected off keeper Johnathan Diba Musangu and looped just wide.
Once Mossley made the breakthrough in the 28th minute through Leonard, there was no looking back.
Ben Richardson’s long throw was headed out of the Droylsden box but hooked back into the danger area by Adam Jones. Godwin Abadaki touched the ball on to Leonard who hooked it low past keeper Chris Thompson.
They added a second goal early in the second half when Ben Richardson’s cross was swept home by overlapping left-back Downey at the far post.
And it was 3-0 after 57 minutes when Leonard, fouled by Kelvin Lugsden, picked himself up to score from the spot, his fourth goal in three games since joining the club.
It might have been a wider margin of victory as in the last quarter Jones had a header ruled out for offside and Mike Fish forced a fine save from Thompson.
And the victory was a stark contrast to one years ago when on Bank Holiday Monday they lost 2-0 at Droylsden.
Mossley: Musangu, Richardson (Mason 59), Downey, Harrison, Jones, Evans, Abadaki, Keogh, Leonard (Halfacre 75), Fish, Ellis (Latham 83). Subs (not used): Duffy, McLaughlin.