April 11, 2023
Loan watch - Bailey's banging 'em in for Mossley!
ROUND-UP BY JOHN EDWARDS
Eden Bailey - Mossley
Alty frontrunner Eden earned more lavish praise from Mossley manager David Fish after contributing significantly to a notable Easter weekend double for the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division promotion hopefuls.
Mossley's Good Friday fixture at Newcastle Town was in the balance at 1-1 early in the second half before Eden took the game by the scruff of the neck and inspired his side to a resounding 5-1 win.
The on-loan Alty forward served notice of his intentions as early as the second minute when he punished a defensive lapse by the home team by seizing on a loose pass and giving the keeper no chance with an unerring finish that put Mossley 1-0 up.
It remained that way up to half-time, but Newcastle were back in it when they levelled the scores, following a corner.
It was all Mossley from then on, though, as they restored their lead from the penalty spot and nearly made it 3-1 just before the hour-mark when a superb finish by Eden was harshly chalked off for what the referee deemed to be a foul on a defender.
They did make it 3-1 shortly after, as excellent hold-up play by Eden gave him the chance to deliver a pinpoint ball into the middle, where Jack Banister applied the finishing touch.
Banister promptly returned the compliment with a pass that Eden latched on to and despatched emphatically, holding off three challenges and firing between the keeper's legs, as Mossley began to run riot.
It became 5-1, with former Alty favourite Nicky Clee providing an assist, before Eden was substituted a couple of minutes from time to rapturous applause from the travelling fans.
Mossley followed it up with a 3-0 home win over Glossop North End on Monday, and again Eden was to the fore.
The home side were already 1-0 up when Eden got away from his marker in the 14th minute and set up Mason Fawns for a shot that was well saved.
A second goal followed just before half-time and it became 3-0 around the 70-minute mark when Eden raced on to a through ball from Fawns and hammered an unstoppable shot beyond the keeper.
Eden thought he'd added another goal to his holiday haul in the 84th minute, only for an offside flag to intervene with the ball nestling in the net, but Mossley had still done enough to move to within one point of the play-off places.
Reflecting on the Alty youngster's role in a highly-successful weekend for his side, Mossley boss Fish said: 'Eden was unlucky not to score a hat-trick at Newcastle, because I couldn't see much wrong with the goal that was disallowed.
'His first goal was all about someone who does not give up on anything - chasing down, being difficult to play against and putting pressure on the defender - and he then capitalised on the error all that created with a good finish.
'The second was excellent. Once he was in front of the defender, he had the composure to get his head up and finish through the keeper's legs. It was as good as you will see. He showed pace, strength and composure, and it was a very good centre-forward's performance.
'He was a menace to Glossop. Every time the centre-half goes to head the ball, he's there. He's always looking to get in behind, and it was another great finish for his goal. Movement, speed, strength - he's an all-round package, a really good number nine who has everything you need.'
Brad Jackson - Buxton
Alty winger Brad was another to have a busy but largely fruitful weekend, as Buxton suffered their first defeat in 16 games but bounced back with a victory that kept them in touch with the play-off places in the Vanarama National League North.
Buxton travelled to Kidderminster Harriers on Good Friday on the back of a 15-game unbeaten run, but they were always up against it after ex-Robin Ash Hemmings scored in the first minute.
The visitors came close to an equaliser in the 40th minute, when a dangerous cross from Brad was almost headed home, and threatened again in the 65th minute when another pinpoint delivery from the on-loan Alty midfielder was headed narrowly over by Diego De Giriolamo.
There could be few complaints overall from the Derbyshire side, though, about their long unbeaten sequence finally coming to an end, and it was good to see Brad getting another 90 minutes under his belt.
They seemed none the worse for it, either, as they took on Boston United at home on Monday and moved to within three points of a play-off place with a hard-fought 1-0 win in testing conditions.
After a first half of few clear-cut chances, Brad almost broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a fierce drive from a tight angle that was tipped over the bar by the keeper.
Former Alty skipper Jake Moult made a welcome return to action as a 67th-minute substitute, and his Buxton side claimed the points nine minutes later when a ball into the box by Brad was pounced on by another ex-Robin Connor Kirby, who made no mistake with an emphatic finish. Job done, Brad was then substituted with 10 minutes to go.
Jake Cooper - Darlington
Alty centre-back Jake missed Darlington's 0-0 draw at Blyth Spartans in the National League North on Good Friday due to suspension and found himself on the bench for Monday's home game with Bradford (Park Avenue).
Jake at least managed to get some time in the middle, going on as a 76th-minute substitute as play-off hopefuls Darlington were held 2-2 by a Bradford side including two former Alty players in centre-half Luca Havern and midfielder Simon Richman.
Ryan Forde, Ewan McGeady, Dion Siboko Bohe, Lewis Billingsley - Alsager Town
Alsager only had one game over the weekend in the North West Counties League Division One South, and it ended in a 2-0 home defeat to Foley Meir.
Ryan was again in goal for the Bullets, with Ewan at right-back, Dion on the right wing and Lewis up front, and it was Lewis, in particular, who did his utmost to turn the game Alsager's way.
In only the fifth minute, the Alty youngster rounded off a move with a shot that was cleared off the line, and he brought the best out of the visitors' keeper four minutes later after excellent work from Ewan, who drove forward and delivered a pinpoint pass to his Robins club-mate.
Alsager went behind in the 18th minute, but they nearly equalised two minutes later when Lewis produced another smart shot that was tipped round the post by the keeper at full stretch.
Dion was substituted in the 54th minute, and Foley Meir made the points safe by doubling their lead soon after.
Sharif Deans - Widnes
Alty's young frontrunner was in the starting line-up as Widnes started their Easter weekend in fine style with a 1-0 Good Friday win away to Colne in the NPL West Division.
Former Alty forward Sean Miller continued his fine form for Widnes with the only goal in the fourth minute, and Sharif will have benefitted from being involved in the action for the entire 90 minutes.
On Monday, Sharif found himself on the bench for the home game with Skelmersdale United, who were 2-0 up by half-time. Miller reduced the arrears in the 55th minute and Sharif went on as substitute 13 minutes later, but the visitors wrapped up the points with another goal in the 75th minute to win 3-1.
*Zak Goodson missed both of Spennymoor's games - a 2-1 home win over Fylde and 1-0 defeat at Curzon Ashton - due to a slight niggle, while Joe Cooney was on the bench for Northwich Vics in their 1-0 win at Congleton Town.
Eden Bailey - Mossley
Alty frontrunner Eden earned more lavish praise from Mossley manager David Fish after contributing significantly to a notable Easter weekend double for the Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division promotion hopefuls.
Mossley's Good Friday fixture at Newcastle Town was in the balance at 1-1 early in the second half before Eden took the game by the scruff of the neck and inspired his side to a resounding 5-1 win.
The on-loan Alty forward served notice of his intentions as early as the second minute when he punished a defensive lapse by the home team by seizing on a loose pass and giving the keeper no chance with an unerring finish that put Mossley 1-0 up.
It remained that way up to half-time, but Newcastle were back in it when they levelled the scores, following a corner.
It was all Mossley from then on, though, as they restored their lead from the penalty spot and nearly made it 3-1 just before the hour-mark when a superb finish by Eden was harshly chalked off for what the referee deemed to be a foul on a defender.
They did make it 3-1 shortly after, as excellent hold-up play by Eden gave him the chance to deliver a pinpoint ball into the middle, where Jack Banister applied the finishing touch.
Banister promptly returned the compliment with a pass that Eden latched on to and despatched emphatically, holding off three challenges and firing between the keeper's legs, as Mossley began to run riot.
It became 5-1, with former Alty favourite Nicky Clee providing an assist, before Eden was substituted a couple of minutes from time to rapturous applause from the travelling fans.
Mossley followed it up with a 3-0 home win over Glossop North End on Monday, and again Eden was to the fore.
The home side were already 1-0 up when Eden got away from his marker in the 14th minute and set up Mason Fawns for a shot that was well saved.
A second goal followed just before half-time and it became 3-0 around the 70-minute mark when Eden raced on to a through ball from Fawns and hammered an unstoppable shot beyond the keeper.
Eden thought he'd added another goal to his holiday haul in the 84th minute, only for an offside flag to intervene with the ball nestling in the net, but Mossley had still done enough to move to within one point of the play-off places.
Reflecting on the Alty youngster's role in a highly-successful weekend for his side, Mossley boss Fish said: 'Eden was unlucky not to score a hat-trick at Newcastle, because I couldn't see much wrong with the goal that was disallowed.
'His first goal was all about someone who does not give up on anything - chasing down, being difficult to play against and putting pressure on the defender - and he then capitalised on the error all that created with a good finish.
'The second was excellent. Once he was in front of the defender, he had the composure to get his head up and finish through the keeper's legs. It was as good as you will see. He showed pace, strength and composure, and it was a very good centre-forward's performance.
'He was a menace to Glossop. Every time the centre-half goes to head the ball, he's there. He's always looking to get in behind, and it was another great finish for his goal. Movement, speed, strength - he's an all-round package, a really good number nine who has everything you need.'
Brad Jackson - Buxton
Alty winger Brad was another to have a busy but largely fruitful weekend, as Buxton suffered their first defeat in 16 games but bounced back with a victory that kept them in touch with the play-off places in the Vanarama National League North.
Buxton travelled to Kidderminster Harriers on Good Friday on the back of a 15-game unbeaten run, but they were always up against it after ex-Robin Ash Hemmings scored in the first minute.
The visitors came close to an equaliser in the 40th minute, when a dangerous cross from Brad was almost headed home, and threatened again in the 65th minute when another pinpoint delivery from the on-loan Alty midfielder was headed narrowly over by Diego De Giriolamo.
There could be few complaints overall from the Derbyshire side, though, about their long unbeaten sequence finally coming to an end, and it was good to see Brad getting another 90 minutes under his belt.
They seemed none the worse for it, either, as they took on Boston United at home on Monday and moved to within three points of a play-off place with a hard-fought 1-0 win in testing conditions.
After a first half of few clear-cut chances, Brad almost broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a fierce drive from a tight angle that was tipped over the bar by the keeper.
Former Alty skipper Jake Moult made a welcome return to action as a 67th-minute substitute, and his Buxton side claimed the points nine minutes later when a ball into the box by Brad was pounced on by another ex-Robin Connor Kirby, who made no mistake with an emphatic finish. Job done, Brad was then substituted with 10 minutes to go.
Jake Cooper - Darlington
Alty centre-back Jake missed Darlington's 0-0 draw at Blyth Spartans in the National League North on Good Friday due to suspension and found himself on the bench for Monday's home game with Bradford (Park Avenue).
Jake at least managed to get some time in the middle, going on as a 76th-minute substitute as play-off hopefuls Darlington were held 2-2 by a Bradford side including two former Alty players in centre-half Luca Havern and midfielder Simon Richman.
Ryan Forde, Ewan McGeady, Dion Siboko Bohe, Lewis Billingsley - Alsager Town
Alsager only had one game over the weekend in the North West Counties League Division One South, and it ended in a 2-0 home defeat to Foley Meir.
Ryan was again in goal for the Bullets, with Ewan at right-back, Dion on the right wing and Lewis up front, and it was Lewis, in particular, who did his utmost to turn the game Alsager's way.
In only the fifth minute, the Alty youngster rounded off a move with a shot that was cleared off the line, and he brought the best out of the visitors' keeper four minutes later after excellent work from Ewan, who drove forward and delivered a pinpoint pass to his Robins club-mate.
Alsager went behind in the 18th minute, but they nearly equalised two minutes later when Lewis produced another smart shot that was tipped round the post by the keeper at full stretch.
Dion was substituted in the 54th minute, and Foley Meir made the points safe by doubling their lead soon after.
Sharif Deans - Widnes
Alty's young frontrunner was in the starting line-up as Widnes started their Easter weekend in fine style with a 1-0 Good Friday win away to Colne in the NPL West Division.
Former Alty forward Sean Miller continued his fine form for Widnes with the only goal in the fourth minute, and Sharif will have benefitted from being involved in the action for the entire 90 minutes.
On Monday, Sharif found himself on the bench for the home game with Skelmersdale United, who were 2-0 up by half-time. Miller reduced the arrears in the 55th minute and Sharif went on as substitute 13 minutes later, but the visitors wrapped up the points with another goal in the 75th minute to win 3-1.
*Zak Goodson missed both of Spennymoor's games - a 2-1 home win over Fylde and 1-0 defeat at Curzon Ashton - due to a slight niggle, while Joe Cooney was on the bench for Northwich Vics in their 1-0 win at Congleton Town.
