MOSSLEY 0, FC UNITED 2
It wasn’t a scoreline that reflected the match as Mossley were beaten by FC United in the quarter finals of the Manchester Premier Cup.
A neutral would never have imagined two divisions separated the teams as the Lilywhites more than matched illustrious visitors from National League North.
The margins were small as FC United took their chances while Mossley didn’t capitalise on their openings.
Mossley joint manager Dave Wild said: “After a wobble in the opening 20/25 minutes while we adjusted to their set up and shape, I thought we were outstanding.
“Once we settled, we were the better side and had loads of possession. FC United officials agreed with that as we missed a penalty and two open nets.”
Mossley fell behind after quarter of an hour when they failed to clear a cross from the left and Ryan White lashed a shot into the roof of the net.
They ought to have equalised on the stroke of half time when Godwin Abadaki was tripped, but Ben Halfacre’s spot kick was well saved by Lloyd Allinson.
Mossley’s stand-in Portuguese keeper Joao Mendes made two decent saves to deny Kurt Willoughby and Jack Banister early in the second half,
It was the Lilywhites that dominated as Adam Jones missed an open goal while Halfacre and Andy Keogh also went close.
FC United rode their luck before sealing victory with eight minutes left when Willoughby lashed a 25 yard shot past Mendes who only stood and watched as the ball flew past him.
Mossley: Mendes, Jeffs, Downey, Nolan, Jones, Mason, Abadaki, Keogh, Halfacre (Fish 87), Quansah (McLaughlin 87), Leonard (Dwyer 38). Subs (not used): Harrison, Miranda.
Attendance: 441.