Match Info: Longridge Town (H, Seel Park), Good Friday 7th Apr (3pm KO)
Whilst recent results have handed the initiative to Motors, at least on paper, this squad and this manager are in not going to give up with all still to play for. Reacting to defeat well with wins against AFC Liverpool and Charnock in the last 10 days, this team knows how to bounce-back.
The fixture congestion has made this Easter weekend a busier one, with Wythenshawe Town to come on Monday at Ericstan Park and more importantly at this stage, Longridge Town on Good Friday at Seel Park. This will be our fourth of five games to be played at the home of Mossley AFC.
Back to Tuesday night, and the battle was a tough one. The better side for the first half again, until an incident on the stroke of half-time which altered the complexation of the game. MJ Monaghan harshly given his marching orders following a push in the back which took him into the grounded goalkeeper, Samuel Booth. The proceeding melee led to substitute Greg Drummond also heading down the tunnel for an early-bath and both sides down to 10-men.
It was just the type of decision that Motors were looking to induce and they capitalised on the only guilt-edged chance of the second half, when Michael Burkey seized on a through-ball and expertly rounded Atkinson and stabbed the ball into the open goal. It has to be said, a very good finish and put the Shakers on the back-foot. Despite almost catching Booth out via speculative cross that hit the upright and the Bury-side fashioning a number of opportunities without ever seriously threatening the Motor goal, the second half ended in a 1-0 win to the visitors.
Vauxhall have the chance to make amends for their loss at Winsford this weekend, when they replay the fixture this Saturday following non-payment of league fees from the Cheshire-based outfit. We are sure a keen eye will be cast on the result of that game from the fellow title-chasing pack over in Manchester.
With the back-to-back mid-week Tuesday games against title-rivals Vauxhall Motors now done and dusted and no points to show for it, all that can be done is rise from the disappointment and focus on the final six games. It remains in our grasp to make the season, a fine one.
A massive plus point on Tuesday night was the crowd, all in fine voice for the most part and there in numbers with 1,338 packed into Seel Park. For a mid-week game away from ‘home’, it was a tremendous effort and one we want replicating this Good Friday.
Longridge Town are the visitors and will be looking to avenge the 3-2 reverse inflicted on them by the Shakers back in November. The Ridge headed into added time, leading 2-1 against a combination of 11, 10, nine or eight men for the majority of the second half. Bury had battled not only the game itself, but the officials as well, with several heading to the sin-bin (whatever happened to that?) from the point that the home side were given a second half penalty to increase their lead to 3-1.
Jack Atkinson saved the spot-kick from Dean Ing, and the rest you know. In case you have forgotten, check the highlights out above.
With just #6togo now, we need you there in your numbers and making the noise to spur the lads on.
Your pre-match information on our trip back to Seel Park can be found below.
Opponents – Longridge Town
Formed in 1996 when the two clubs of the town, United & St. Wilfrid’s came together with the aim of raising the standard of football in the town. Where have we heard that before?
The previous two clubs had existing from as far back as the 19th century, so the experience was by no means novice, and the club quickly moved out of the local religious leagues they had taken part in for nearly a century and through the Preston & District and then West Lancashire Leagues before being promoted to the NWCFL in 2018.
They quickly moved into the Premier Division following a successful first season, finishing as Champions. They have remained at this step since that point.
An up-and-down set of results in the opening six games of this season, winning three, but losing three, consolidated their place in mid-table at the end of August. A wretched run of no wins in the league in September had Ridge dropping towards the bottom end of the table, before matters have stabilised somewhat in October and November, including progression to the third round of the FA Vase. They take on Eccleshill United this weekend of this competition.
Ridge have been on a similar journey to ourselves in recent weeks, suffering a number of weather induced postponements (9 in total, back-to-back) which halted the season for a long period and they now look to play catch-up. They went on a run of four wins on the bounce through March, but playing two games over Saturday and Sunday last weekend, resulted in two home losses against Northwich Victoria and FC Isle of Man.
Ridge sit in 14th as we head into the game, with 12 wins and nine draws from 37 games so far.
Tickets & Admission
Tickets for this game are available to purchase here.
£8 – Adults £20 – Hospitality £3 – U16s FREE – U5s £3 – Match Programme can be secured online to pick up at the ground We are encouraging fans to please buy their tickets ahead of time if possible. With the ground expecting to be busy for this game, purchasing tickets helps our volunteers in getting fans in the ground and reducing queues outside.
A pay on the day facility is available, via cash or card on the gate. If paying by cash, please try and bring the correct change to ensure smooth and quick entry to the ground.
NOTE: Half price for Mossley AFC Season Ticket Holders on the gate on presence of their ticket.
In The Ground
Our Matchday Programme (£3.00) will be available for purchase inside / outside the ground or secure yours online before the game at the above link.
Our ‘Pound for the Ground’ raffle tickets will again be on sale in and around the ground, £1 per entry. Find out about previous draws and collections made so far HERE.
The winning ticket will take home 40% of the pot on the day, with the remaining amount each week going towards the pursuit of our own ground. We thank you all for your contributions and hope you continue to support this initiative.
Travel & Car Parking
Address: Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, Lancashire, OL5 0ES.
Ground Facilities: Clubhouse with Licenced Bar will be open, as well as a Can Bar in the ground accessed via the Mossley Club Shop. The Pie Hut will be open inside the ground for hot & cold food and drinks.
There are covered stands on three sides of the ground, with limited seating in the main stand (closest to entrance via Market Street) to the right on the below image.
Aerial view of Seel Park (looking South) Travel by coach: A 72-seat coach is being laid on FREE by the club to assist Season Ticket Holders ONLY, who would find travel to Mossley difficult. All ticket holders should now be in receipt of this email to book this coach.
Travel by train: Mossley (0.4 miles). Trains from Manchester Piccadilly take approximately 20 minutes.
Travel by tram / public bus: Tram to Ashton-under-Lyme, then take 350 bus to Mossley.
Car Parking: The car park at Seel Park is restricted to players and officials ONLY.
On-street parking is available, please be considerate of local residents at all times. A Pay & Display Car Park is available at the top of Market Street, which can be seen on entry down towards the ground. Costs £1 for all-day parking.
Live Coverage
We were pleased to report that facilities at Seel Park are suitable enough for us to offer a live stream of the game, as we do for all home games. This will be available closer to kick-off in the usual place via the News section of the website.
As ever, Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live audio commentary also via their website, downloadable app or on your Smart Speaker (by asking ‘Play Roch Valley Radio’). For more information, head to the Roch Valley website HERE.
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