Mossley 4
Nantwich Town 3 (AET)
NW Counties League Cup (Worthington Trophy 3rd Round)

Match Report

Nantwich pushed Mossley all the way in this pulsating cup tie. It was a spirited display by Nigel Gleghorn’s youngsters against an experienced Mossley side that went into the game on the back of six straight wins.
In the first half, the Dabbers struggled against the slick movement of Mossley’s veteran frontline of Tony Ellis and Rob Matthews. A glut of chances were missed but with only a 23rd minute Matthews goal separating the sides, Nantwich fought back after the interval.
Wes Wilkinson was on hand to equalise on 55 minutes after home keeper Rob Hackney could only parry a low drive from his namesake Simon. Ellis, though showed composure chipping Stuart Heeps on 72 minutes to restore the home lead but three minutes from time the battling visitors were again on level terms. A clever flick from Wilkinson played in Chris Hampshire down the right and from the cross, Paul Taylor put through his own goal. Ellis should have known better than to argue with the referee who was forced to brandish yellow then red after the ex-Stoke and Preston man failed to button his lip. 10 man Mossley nearly paid the price but Hampshire was unable to net from close range with the last kick in normal time.
The home side took control early in extra time. A Matthews header from a Mark Bradshaw header made it 3-2 and Stefan Lewis skipped past Danny McVey and curled his shot past Heeps to extend Mossley’s lead.
As the rain continued to sweep in off the Pennines, the tie see-sawed again as never-say-die Nantwich pulled a goal back on 103 minutes when Simon Hackney converted another cross from Hampshire. The second period of extra time saw the Dabbers go in search of the equaliser their efforts deserved but, with the Seel Park faithful baying for the final whistle, Mossley held on for a memorable 4-3 victory.
Mossley R Hackney, Trees, Bradshaw, Phillips, Taylor, Coyne (Heaton,110), Headley (Lewis,58), Callaghan, Matthews, Ellis, Cross (Howard,75). Booked: Ellis (88mins), Callaghan (111mins), Howard (119mins) Sent Off: Ellis (89mins)
Nantwich Heeps, Hall, Gardiner, Gleghorn, McVey, Melling (Vickers,110), Brookes, Buckle, Dawson (Hampshire,74), Wilkinson, S Hackney. Booked: Brookes (25mins)
Star Man: Lyndon Hall Reliable at right back – dangerous coming forward.

Match report written by Michael Chatwin