CHEADLE TOWN 3, MOSSLEY 0
Manager Alex Craddock admitted it was a “tough night” as Mossley suffered their first pre-season loss at North West Counties League club Cheadle Town, a team one division beneath them in the football pyramid.
There were no complaints about the result from Craddock – just the desperately disappointing display in which they were second best throughout.
“In reality, the players didn’t so what was asked of them. It was disappointing how we gifted the ball away and all three goals were poor on our part,” he explained.
Craddock pointed out several starters were unavailable while they again fielded several trialists.
“Nothing is ever won or lost in pre-season, but that is not to say it hurts to lose,” Craddock continued.
“It was a bad performance which we have had before, but we need to use it as a reference point and for it to be a wake-up call. We desperately need to give a better account of ourselves than we did.
“In saying they [Town] are no fools. They drew against Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday and, by all accounts, should have won that game.”
Mossley went into the game having suffered a huge blow after learning midfield general Michael Brewster is out for the season after suffering an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury to his knee in the opening five minutes of the first friendly at Irlam Town.
And new signing Harry O’Gara, who was recently released by Salford City, also limped out of this friendly with what looked a nasty back injury which left him barely able to walk.
Mossley fell behind in the 14th minute to a goal from Sheriff Njie who was on hand to fire home after keeper Paul Day had parried Jamie Walsh’s initial shot.
Cheadle doubled their advantage inside half an hour when centre back Liam Delaney was left unmarked inside the six-yard box to power home a header from Darren McKnight’s corner.
Mossley went three down 10 minutes after the restart when substitute Gedea Varela conceded a penalty seconds after replacing the injured O’Gara in what was a clumsy challenge.
Delaney stepped forward to score from the spot with a cool finish for his second of the game.
Mossley were lucky not to concede a fourth when Njie burst clear and lobbed Day only to see his effort strike the base of the upright.
It took until the 89th minute before Mossley forced a save from home keeper James Hodges who kept out an effort from substitute Oumar Camara with his legs as the Lilywhites created next to nothing with the lack of goals one of last season’s failings.