MATCH PREVIEW: History suggests a tough afternoon

Workington and Mossley’s Northern Premier League rivalry goes back nearly forty five years and, although Reds have enjoyed some joy in this fixture in recent times, the Lilywhites are still out in front in the head-to-head.

We were tormented by Mossley in our first three campaigns in the NPL back in the late seventies, with the Seel Park outfit inflicting a league double upon us in each of those seasons. Reds have been playing catch-up ever since and expect another tough ninety minutes when they clash for the 38th time at Borough Park on Saturday (3pm).

Back in November, we had to grind out a hard fought 1-0 win over the then NPL West leaders and one suspects it will be a similar, closely fought battle again, despite Mossley’s indifferent spell of form lately.

Reuben Jerome scored the winner ten minutes from time in the previous encounter prompting Reds’ long unbeaten run and top spot in the division but Mossley will be keen, and more than capable, for revenge in the return.

In thirty NPL encounters so far, Mossley have recorded fifteen wins as opposed to the dozen obtained by Reds. They have also had the better of things in clashes in the NPL Challenge Cup and FA Cup but we can reflect on a crucial league double at their expense in our only meetings in the North West Counties League (98-99).

Chris Willcock was a Mossley player back then as Reds pipped the Lancashire side to the championship.

Nothing will be decided in the division this weekend, of course, but it is another important step as we enter the last three months of the season.

The manager will name the same squad which performed so well at Runcorn last week, although Conor Tinnion will be pushing for a return to the action after missing the two most recent matches.