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Mosley are celebrating their centenary this season, and the North West Counties Division One side will be hoping to regain their Unibond League status lost in 1995. Led by ex-Claret Ally Pickering they presented a much sterner test for the Clarets than their Division One colleagues Nantwich Town two weeks ago, and pre-season results have been good.
Seel Park must occupy one of the most dramatic sites in football. On a November’s day with a howling gale blowing horizontal hail into the faces of the frozen fans it is a truly frightening place; however, on a lovely summer’s evening with clear views across to the encircling Pennine tops it presents a delightful sight. In fact, for much of last night the view was far more admired than the football.
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To the somewhat tinny strains of "We Will Rock You", received in stony silence by the Mossley faithful, the teams took to the field, the Clarets again using the new away strip. The Supremo chose to continue the experiment of playing Earl Davis up front, and with Paul Scott playing wide on the left Matthew O’Neill was used in his less accustomed role on the right of midfield. The Clarets lined up (in 4-5-1):
James Salisbury; Andrew Leeson, Gary Carter, Danny Pitham, Liam Eves; Matthew O’Neill, Joel Pilkington (Sean Blakey 85), Andrew Waine, Steven Richardson (Andrew Fairlamb 81), Paul Scott; Earl Davis. Sub not used: Richard Chaplow.
The first half provided very little in terms of goalmouth action. Burnley played the ball around nicely at times, but with The Colossus acting as a sole striker moves would often break down through lack of support from the midfield. Richardson did get in a good run and shot in the 26th minute, and Pilkington somehow failed to get onto the end of a cross with the goal at his mercy, but these were isolated incidents.
At the other end, Mossley’s lively strikers, Ricky Harris in particular, put the defence under some pressure, but Salisbury was largely untroubled. Halftime arrived almost unnoticed.
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Andrew Fairlamb, an under 16 trialist, made his debut in the 81st minute. The diminutive midfielder is the latest Jack Hixon find, and he showed some neat touches in his brief appearance.
It only remained for Waine to have a free-kick well saved at the foot of the post by Hackney before the Fat Controller blew for time on this dreary game.
However although this was not the best of games there was one outstanding performance. Gary Carter at the centre of defence has already impressed, particularly at Fulwood. Last night he put in an exceptional performance. His timing, positional play and anticipation were faultless. He is deceptively strong, very comfortable on the ball and his passing is excellent. With Danny Pitham he is already forming an effective central defensive partnership. One for the future, without doubt.
Tonight the youths take on Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground, and then it’s Bradford City youths at Gawthorpe on Saturday (weather permitting!).
Ground photographs are reproduced with the kind permission of Mossley Association Football Club. To see more see their web site at http://kickme.to/mossleyweb