Avro stay unbeaten in pre-season with win against Mossley

Liam Ellis' double, the frontman scoring one in each half against his former club, took him to five in friendlies so far with a trialist on target for the visitors in the Vestacare Stadium sunshine.

It could have been a different story for higher-ranked Lilywhites, of the Northern Premier League Division One West, had they converted an early spot kick.

Avro and Mossley compete for the ball in the Saturday sun

After a trialist had been brought down in the box, Jordan Butterworth stepped up but saw his penalty saved by Jordan Latham with just six minutes on the clock.

Both sides were battling the intense July heat and after a drinks break midway through the first half things stepped up a notch.

Captain Andy Keogh, Harry Pratt and Declan Evans all had openings for Mossley but it was North West Counties Premier Division side Avro who got their noses in front just after the half hour.

A corner was played to Joe Rathbone just inside the box who tried to shoot, only to be upended in the area. Ellis stepped up and made no mistake to give the hosts a one-goal advantage.

Mossley nearly levelled things up before half-time only for Latham to produce a sharp save to keep out a header.

Danny Byrnes gets stuck in

Avro doubled their advantage on 62 minutes and it was that man Ellis again, the frontman profiting on a defensive error and taking a long ball over the top and firing into the top corner.

The Lilywhites responded well and after increasing the pressure immediately after the goal, a trialist finished well from 18 yards with 68 minutes on the watch.

It was then anyone's game as the friendly entered the closing stages, Latham again pulling off another excellent stop to keep Avro in front.

There were chances at the other end as well, Kai Haigh the creator as Kane Wallwork saw an effort saved.

Rathbone then looked to add gloss to the scoreline late on but saw his shot from outside the box go over the bar.

Avro joint bosses James Hampson and Lee O’Brien

Avro's co-Manager Lee O'Brien said: "That was good win against a good side from the league above us, under harsh conditions."

Avro move onto a home game against Maine Road tomorrow night, Wednesday (7.45pm) while Mossley are at Cheadle Heath Nomads on Saturday.

Elsewhere, in pre-season Ashton United are also in action tomorrow, hosting Stockport County at Hurst Cross (7pm).

Chadderton are in action at Elton Vale tonight (7pm) having won 3-1 at Walshaw Sports last time out on Saturday, Ethan Sutcliffe scoring a hat-trick.