Mossley 0-3 Oldham Athletic - Pre Season Friendly
Wednesday 11th July 2012 - Seel Park - Attendance: N/A
So, the Football season is drawing closer & closer.
The post European Championships eleven day withdrawal syndromes were cured with a trip to the district of Great Manchester to take in another non-league ground & a game of football. Mossley playing host to City's 2011/12 JPT conquerors Oldham Athletic.
The trip to this non-league subrurbia began with a meet up in Leeds Train Station with the bottle of charisma that is Doughnut. Everything the lad does & says is a touch of comedic genius.
So, after a trip to McDonalds in which Doughnut left behind his bag of minstrels, we boarded the first train to DB's Territory. Upon getting on the train Doughnut made a new friend, sadly for him this new friend spent most of the train journey asleep.
Ben joined us as he boarded the train in Morley, this was when 'Ticketgate' began. Ben asked for a child's return to Huddersfield, when he was asked the question all over the age of 12 fear. "Where's your half fare pass?" Ben sunk in his seat as the moment of realization hit him, he's going to have pay for an adult return!
Upon arrival at Huddersfield, Ben made a mad dash to the ticket office to get himself a child's return in fear of being charged adult on the train to Mossley! After another mad dash back across Huddersfield Station (Let's be honest, Me & Doughnut can't be doing with all this running!) we hopped aboard the train to Mossley.
An un-eventful train journey later & we rolled into the quaint little town of Mossley, at this point, Ben broke the news. Me & Doughnut were going to have to climb up two of the steepest hills possibly in Britain. Despite our Gladiator efforts, Doughnut collapsed at the top of the first one as myself & Ben powered up the second one.
Then, to make matters worse we walked through a park & ended up down the back of the stadium behind walls & barbed wire covered fences, so we turned back & eventually found our way to Seel Park, home of Mossley.
Then, we came across the most complex turnstile situation in football. We went to the turnstile to be told "This is adults only lads, you'll have to go to the turnstiles at the other end." Off we went, to be told "It's not this turnstile I'm afraid." So, as Ben lost his cool & just barged through the turnstile, a steward opened a main gate for myself & Doughnut to head through.
Upon being greeted by a smartly dressed gentlemen selling the matchday programmes, now it's a fact I love my programmes, but for the 8th tier of the English game. This was better than most at League Two & Blue Square level.
When then progressed down into the club shop, it was more of a little concrete shed but the young staff came across as a friendly bunch & Ben's excitement was similar to my little brother's when Fireman Sam comes onto the telly as he saw the vast amount of merchandise available!
Whilst in the club shop we were greeted by a very familiar face, it was Joe! For those who don't know who Joe is, he's Joseph Gibbons who is in fact a Bolton Wanderers fan & a friend of ours & the blog!
As Joe enjoyed Ben's little kind in a sweet shop moment, I purchased two Manchester City programmes & a club pennant & proceeded on a walk round the ground to the other net, where we would be stood for the duration of the game.
Now, before the match got under way there was the next controversial moment of the day, 'Ballgate'. During the warm up, one of Lee Croft (Who was kind enough to pose for a picture) free kicks when flying over the hedge at the back of the terrace into a school, so Ben being the sort of opportunist he is stepped back & allowed me to jump the fence & the collect the ball for him to then take home following barrying the whole of the Oldham Athletic coaching set up.
So, after being introduced to Joe & Aaron who are friend of Joseph's, the teams came out for the match & following a minutes silence in remembrance for the young life tragically lost in the Shaw Gas Explosion the game got under way.
Mossley came out all guns blazing & looked like causing Oldham real trouble in the game with a couple of early efforts, all the early Mossley possession allowed Doughnut to engage in some friendly banter with the Mossley keeper who was more than happy to join in, the story of the Oldham keeper will be told later.
But as I went for a hot dog, I took a glance over my shoulder to see one of the softest penalties to be awarded in the game of football as Oldham midfielder James Tarkowski threw himself to the ground, conning the linesman & ref in the process. Robbie Simpson then smashed home from the spot to break the deadlock & give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The score was kept at 1-0 after the Mossley keeper pulled of a wonder save from one of the trialists in the Oldham attack before Oldham saw out the rest of the first half with a game of keep ball, to such a standard even Barcelona would of been impressed!
During this dominance, I progressed round the ground to get myself a photograph with current Latics captain & ex-Bantam Dean Furman! Dean was very friendly & engaged in a conversation with myself & Doughnut about his time with the Bantams & how much he'd like to return to VP one day!
The first half came to a close with Doughnut knocking off a panel from the terracing to cheers & little kids going "He's broke the stand! He's broke the stand!"
As me & Doughnut discussed the first half with Hornswoggle the Ballboy, we ended up in a three man mission to protect Ben's newly stol... Acquired possession, the Oldham Athletic matchball as it came under invasion from a group of young Oldham fans. But, Ben being the opportunist he is was down in the Mossley changing rooms with the Joe's & Aaron.
So, after more barrying we got full control of the much prized ball once again. The ballboy even lied to his supervisor in his effort to assist us, telling her he was un-aware of the ball in the bush. The second half eventually got under way after a brand new Oldham XI completed there half time warm up, five minutes later than expected.
Oldham had substituted there keeper, Dean Bouzanis replacing Alex Cisak with Doughnut not realising & shouting "Oi! Alex! Can we have a picture!" Bouzanis was clearly upset that a) He'd been called Alex & b) He's not the keeper we wanted!
The second half began with Oldham doubling there lead as Matt Smith tucked away less than two minutes after the restart but the second half was the birthplace of a new rivalry, a rivalry which will drag on through the ages... Dean 'I'm not Alex' Bouzanis v James 'Doughnut' Leahy!
As, you've already read the rivalry began when Dean Bouzanis was confused to be Alex Cisak but Wow! No one could see what was coming!
We kept trying to put Bouzanis off for banter, but this lad could not handle the banter as he got more & more agitated, swearing at us, mouthing off at us, before it all blew up!
Mossley had a shot which Bouzanis had fumbled much to our amusement before Mossley hit the ball wide & Doughnut collected the ball & threw it to Bouzanis & the Australian dropped the ball before the war of words! "What team do you support?" "A better one that what you play for mate!" "Fuck off you round headed fat twat!" As an Oldham fan started on Doughnut, I continued on with the abuse of this pathetic excuse of a goalkeeper.
We then headed down to the train station to begin the journey home to Morley for Ben & further on for myself & Doughnut, missing Oldham Athletic's third goal in added time which was scored by Youssouff M'Changama.
The train journey home was un-eventful with just the usual post match chitter chatter as Ben proudly showed off his new possession, the boy has fallen in love with that ball!
And of course, Chapman's XI:
Was it worth the money? It was worth the money, mainly because it was an enjoyable evening & good night out with the lads.
Mossley MOTM - The Goalkeeper who played the majority of the game, pulled of some magnificent save to stop a humiliating defeat.
Oldham Athletic MOTM - Youssouff M'Changama - Looks a very promising midfielder & will make an impact this season in League One.
Quote of the Match - Bouzanis: "What team do you support?" Doughnut: "A better one that what you play for mate!" Bouzanis: "Fuck off you round headed fat twat!"Fan of the Match - Not a fan, but the ballboy Hornswoggle! Lied in order to help us steal!
Chant of the Match - Mossley's version of We Love You! So bad, it was good!
FB Status of the Match - Top night tonight at Mossley! Got ourselves some exercise & free football! Had a laugh & some top banter, especially with Oldham Athletic's keeper Dean Bouzanis! Got to go to a new ground & see Gibbo & Company! And best of all, talk to the man we should have fought tooth & nail to sign permanently... Dean Furman! - I reflect on the evening!
Tweet of the Match - @dbouzanis43 Can't handle the banter lad! - I make sure he shall forever remember us!
Referee Watch - Don't know his name, but he was awful. Was conned far too easily by the Oldham Athletic side throughout the game.
FATWATCH - Sadly there is none!
Wednesday 11th July 2012 - Seel Park - Attendance: N/A
So, the Football season is drawing closer & closer.
The post European Championships eleven day withdrawal syndromes were cured with a trip to the district of Great Manchester to take in another non-league ground & a game of football. Mossley playing host to City's 2011/12 JPT conquerors Oldham Athletic.
The trip to this non-league subrurbia began with a meet up in Leeds Train Station with the bottle of charisma that is Doughnut. Everything the lad does & says is a touch of comedic genius.
So, after a trip to McDonalds in which Doughnut left behind his bag of minstrels, we boarded the first train to DB's Territory. Upon getting on the train Doughnut made a new friend, sadly for him this new friend spent most of the train journey asleep.
Ben joined us as he boarded the train in Morley, this was when 'Ticketgate' began. Ben asked for a child's return to Huddersfield, when he was asked the question all over the age of 12 fear. "Where's your half fare pass?" Ben sunk in his seat as the moment of realization hit him, he's going to have pay for an adult return!
Upon arrival at Huddersfield, Ben made a mad dash to the ticket office to get himself a child's return in fear of being charged adult on the train to Mossley! After another mad dash back across Huddersfield Station (Let's be honest, Me & Doughnut can't be doing with all this running!) we hopped aboard the train to Mossley.
An un-eventful train journey later & we rolled into the quaint little town of Mossley, at this point, Ben broke the news. Me & Doughnut were going to have to climb up two of the steepest hills possibly in Britain. Despite our Gladiator efforts, Doughnut collapsed at the top of the first one as myself & Ben powered up the second one.
Then, to make matters worse we walked through a park & ended up down the back of the stadium behind walls & barbed wire covered fences, so we turned back & eventually found our way to Seel Park, home of Mossley.
Then, we came across the most complex turnstile situation in football. We went to the turnstile to be told "This is adults only lads, you'll have to go to the turnstiles at the other end." Off we went, to be told "It's not this turnstile I'm afraid." So, as Ben lost his cool & just barged through the turnstile, a steward opened a main gate for myself & Doughnut to head through.
Upon being greeted by a smartly dressed gentlemen selling the matchday programmes, now it's a fact I love my programmes, but for the 8th tier of the English game. This was better than most at League Two & Blue Square level.
When then progressed down into the club shop, it was more of a little concrete shed but the young staff came across as a friendly bunch & Ben's excitement was similar to my little brother's when Fireman Sam comes onto the telly as he saw the vast amount of merchandise available!
Whilst in the club shop we were greeted by a very familiar face, it was Joe! For those who don't know who Joe is, he's Joseph Gibbons who is in fact a Bolton Wanderers fan & a friend of ours & the blog!
As Joe enjoyed Ben's little kind in a sweet shop moment, I purchased two Manchester City programmes & a club pennant & proceeded on a walk round the ground to the other net, where we would be stood for the duration of the game.
Now, before the match got under way there was the next controversial moment of the day, 'Ballgate'. During the warm up, one of Lee Croft (Who was kind enough to pose for a picture) free kicks when flying over the hedge at the back of the terrace into a school, so Ben being the sort of opportunist he is stepped back & allowed me to jump the fence & the collect the ball for him to then take home following barrying the whole of the Oldham Athletic coaching set up.
So, after being introduced to Joe & Aaron who are friend of Joseph's, the teams came out for the match & following a minutes silence in remembrance for the young life tragically lost in the Shaw Gas Explosion the game got under way.
Mossley came out all guns blazing & looked like causing Oldham real trouble in the game with a couple of early efforts, all the early Mossley possession allowed Doughnut to engage in some friendly banter with the Mossley keeper who was more than happy to join in, the story of the Oldham keeper will be told later.
But as I went for a hot dog, I took a glance over my shoulder to see one of the softest penalties to be awarded in the game of football as Oldham midfielder James Tarkowski threw himself to the ground, conning the linesman & ref in the process. Robbie Simpson then smashed home from the spot to break the deadlock & give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The score was kept at 1-0 after the Mossley keeper pulled of a wonder save from one of the trialists in the Oldham attack before Oldham saw out the rest of the first half with a game of keep ball, to such a standard even Barcelona would of been impressed!
During this dominance, I progressed round the ground to get myself a photograph with current Latics captain & ex-Bantam Dean Furman! Dean was very friendly & engaged in a conversation with myself & Doughnut about his time with the Bantams & how much he'd like to return to VP one day!
The first half came to a close with Doughnut knocking off a panel from the terracing to cheers & little kids going "He's broke the stand! He's broke the stand!"
As me & Doughnut discussed the first half with Hornswoggle the Ballboy, we ended up in a three man mission to protect Ben's newly stol... Acquired possession, the Oldham Athletic matchball as it came under invasion from a group of young Oldham fans. But, Ben being the opportunist he is was down in the Mossley changing rooms with the Joe's & Aaron.
So, after more barrying we got full control of the much prized ball once again. The ballboy even lied to his supervisor in his effort to assist us, telling her he was un-aware of the ball in the bush. The second half eventually got under way after a brand new Oldham XI completed there half time warm up, five minutes later than expected.
Oldham had substituted there keeper, Dean Bouzanis replacing Alex Cisak with Doughnut not realising & shouting "Oi! Alex! Can we have a picture!" Bouzanis was clearly upset that a) He'd been called Alex & b) He's not the keeper we wanted!
The second half began with Oldham doubling there lead as Matt Smith tucked away less than two minutes after the restart but the second half was the birthplace of a new rivalry, a rivalry which will drag on through the ages... Dean 'I'm not Alex' Bouzanis v James 'Doughnut' Leahy!
As, you've already read the rivalry began when Dean Bouzanis was confused to be Alex Cisak but Wow! No one could see what was coming!
We kept trying to put Bouzanis off for banter, but this lad could not handle the banter as he got more & more agitated, swearing at us, mouthing off at us, before it all blew up!
Mossley had a shot which Bouzanis had fumbled much to our amusement before Mossley hit the ball wide & Doughnut collected the ball & threw it to Bouzanis & the Australian dropped the ball before the war of words! "What team do you support?" "A better one that what you play for mate!" "Fuck off you round headed fat twat!" As an Oldham fan started on Doughnut, I continued on with the abuse of this pathetic excuse of a goalkeeper.
We then headed down to the train station to begin the journey home to Morley for Ben & further on for myself & Doughnut, missing Oldham Athletic's third goal in added time which was scored by Youssouff M'Changama.
The train journey home was un-eventful with just the usual post match chitter chatter as Ben proudly showed off his new possession, the boy has fallen in love with that ball!
And of course, Chapman's XI:
Was it worth the money? It was worth the money, mainly because it was an enjoyable evening & good night out with the lads.
Mossley MOTM - The Goalkeeper who played the majority of the game, pulled of some magnificent save to stop a humiliating defeat.
Oldham Athletic MOTM - Youssouff M'Changama - Looks a very promising midfielder & will make an impact this season in League One.
Quote of the Match - Bouzanis: "What team do you support?" Doughnut: "A better one that what you play for mate!" Bouzanis: "Fuck off you round headed fat twat!"Fan of the Match - Not a fan, but the ballboy Hornswoggle! Lied in order to help us steal!
Chant of the Match - Mossley's version of We Love You! So bad, it was good!
FB Status of the Match - Top night tonight at Mossley! Got ourselves some exercise & free football! Had a laugh & some top banter, especially with Oldham Athletic's keeper Dean Bouzanis! Got to go to a new ground & see Gibbo & Company! And best of all, talk to the man we should have fought tooth & nail to sign permanently... Dean Furman! - I reflect on the evening!
Tweet of the Match - @dbouzanis43 Can't handle the banter lad! - I make sure he shall forever remember us!
Referee Watch - Don't know his name, but he was awful. Was conned far too easily by the Oldham Athletic side throughout the game.
FATWATCH - Sadly there is none!