MATCH PREVIEW: Leaders keen to consolidate top spot at Reds expense

NPL West Division leaders, Mossley, will be hoping to compound what has developed into a frustrating campaign for Reds when the two meet at Seel Park on Saturday (3pm).

It’s first v. third in what could be the division’s ‘match of the day’ with Chris Willcock returning to a club where he has previously played and managed.  He will be hoping to see Reds kick-start a season which has shown signs of unravelling during October.

The former leaders have had to deal with a crippling injury list since the first week of the season, made early exits from the Cup and Trophy, have seen their long unbeaten record come to an end and are now involved in a stop-start fixture routine which does little for continuity.

But, what a great fixture to put those doubts to one side with Mossley topping what everyone expected – a very competitive division!  They have amassed 31 points so far, compared to Reds’ tally of 28 with Mossley having played one game fewer, and lead a clutch of clubs, eight at least, who have promotion aspirations.

The Lilywhites have a 100% record on the road yet have dropped points on their own patch but are one of the top scorers.  We only met once last season, in Cumbria, but our previous visit to Mossley (September, 2019) resulted in a 2-0 reverse.

We have always found Seel Park a tough venue, recording just five victories in seventeen visits, although the last three encounters, all in Cumbria, have finished 2-0 in our favour. 

Reds experienced a blank week-end last Saturday, will face another next week and a third at the beginning of December which is far from ideal.  The injury situation is gradually improving, though, and both training sessions this week have been well attended.        

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