MOSSLEY 3, PONTEFRACT COLLIERIES 1.
Mossley displayed resilience and spirit as they hit back after Saturday’s hefty 4-0 home defeat by Tadcaster Albion.
Goals from Adam Morgan, Steve Mason and Ben Halfacre lifted the Lilywhites to fifth pace in the BetVictor Northern Premier League, north west division.
“We needed the win after Saturday and I am genuinely proud of the players,” explained manager Dave Wild who added he held an inquest after Saturday’s defeat.
“We had a good chat before the game about what we needed to do to be a consistent and competitive side that is challenging at the top end of the division.”
The win was achieved with a weakened side as captain Andy Keogh and Craig Roddan were unavailable while Simon Lenighan and Godwin Abadaki were unfit to play despite being named as substitutes.
It was a first-ever meeting between Mossley and Colls who had former Polish full international Sebastian Malkowski in goal.
The former Legia Gdansk player was beaten in the ninth minute after Morgan slotted home a straightforward shot at the far post after a super build up involving Jes Uchegbulam and Nicky Platt. It was Morgan’s sixth goal of the campaign.
Morgan provided the assist for Mossley’s second in the 20th minute with some magical footwork to break free on the right before Mason headed home his cross.
Mossley, who had been in total control in the opening period, lost their direction after the restart as Colls were more of a threat.
They halved the deficit in the 55th minute when Mossley goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw dropped a cross in the wet conditions enabling Joe Lumsden to scramble the ball over the line.
Mossley ought to have restored a two-goal on the hour when Halfpenny missed a sitter, a free header from six yards following a cross from Uchegbulam.
It looked as though it might prove a costly miss as Colls remained a threat.
Halfpenny made amends for that miss when he sealed victory in the 85th minute. He was put through on goal after an excellent passing move and coolly slotted a shot past Malkowski.