Lilywhites retain Manchester crown

Mossley celebrated becoming the second Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club to collect some silverware this season on Wednesday night when they beat league rivals Salford City to lift the Manchester Premier Cup.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Division North outfit beat the Ammies 4-2 on penalties at Stockport County's Edgeley Park to follow in the footsteps of AFC Flyde who won the Lancashire FA Trophy Challenge Trophy earlier this month.

In front of a crowd of 617, Mossley retained the cup but did it the hard way after surrendering a two-goal lead in the last 15 minutes of normal time.

The Lilywhites took a slender one-goal advantage into the break – and that came from the spot as well in the 28th minute when Sam Hind was bundled over by Harry Bockarie and Gary Gee stepped up to coolly fire home from twelve yards. Mossley then increased their lead on 57 minutes when Kayde Coppin broke down the right and his low cross was swept home from close range by Sam Madeley.

But Mossley's inability to kill the game off completely came back to haunt them as City came back into it, first reducing the arrears 15 minutes from time when substitute Brad Robinson fired home to give the Ammies hope. Mossley keeper Russell Saunders pulled off a couple of fine saves to preserve their by now slender lead but he was powerless to prevent Danny White from firing home an 85th minute equaliser.

The Lilywhites were then reduced to ten-men following an injury to Chris Brown after they had already used their allotted three subs. But Saunders proved to be the hero in the final minutes, pulling off another vital save to preserve parity and send the game went to penalties.

Saunders intervention again proved decisive in the shoot-out, brilliantly saving Adrian Bellamy’s kick for City before Ashley Young stepped up to win the cup for Mossley with the last penalty of the night to give Mossley a 4-2 victory.