Prattley had recently been awarded a week's trial with the Phoenix, and was approached by Nate Winkler, a Wellington coach with professional playing experience in the United States and Sweden and at the Ole Academy.
Prattley's transfer was a blow to Technical's ambitions in the Footballsouth Premier League, but worse was to follow on Saturday as fans barely recognised Fridge's team.
From goalkeeper Cam Burns to striker Richard Smith, no fewer than eight of the first-team squad were missing through illness and student commitments.
Mosgiel might have capitalised as Mike McGarry's side made a storming start, with Tim Dunn racing through from the kick-off, and a string of free kicks and corners had Technical struggling to clear its lines.
In goal, Tony Boomer played well, as Blair Scoullar patrolled the penalty area and Hayden Gunn and Nick Dale blunted attacks and set up reprisals.
The value of having a specialist striker stood out when Aaron Burgess punished some slack marking by finding space and delivering a regulation header to put Technical into a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes.
The counter-attacking pace of Justin and Mike Flaws always threatened Mosgiel, and in central midfield Andy Coburn won possession and fed some electric left wing breaks by Tim McLennan.
McGarry was the fulcrum of many Mosgiel attacks, Mike Abbott was full of energy and Reg Coldicott found acres of attacking space.
However, Technical closed ranks in the second half and a Coburn header, then a penalty taken by Burgess clinched a 3-0 result.
Rival Caversham made short work of Rovers in Queenstown, winning 5-0 to stay tucked in second place, with a tasty FPL decider due in a few weeks when the top two meet.
At Ellis Park, Roslyn-Wakari made an explosive start to grab a 3-0 lead over University within 15 minutes.
Goals by Sam Mepham, Tim Dalman, Ajay Cunningham and Fraser Cameron eventually earned an important 4-1 win for coach James Vaughan's side.
But Vaughan was far from pleased that his side took its foot off the accelerator, and produced a flat second-half performance that a resurgent Varsity might have punished.
Roslyn's defence was under considerable attack late in the match.
A penalty reduced the margin to 4-1 and defenders Dave Shaw, Mike Cunningham, Brad Johnstone and James Watson had to put in some last-ditch tackles to survive.
At the Gardens, Northern also started well but lacked composure in front of goal and was given a finishing lesson as the Spirit clinched a 5-1 win.
Spirit striker Mark Caldow took his goal tally to nine, and moved into third place behind leaders Robbie Deeley and Burgess, who tie at the top with 10 goals.
Perth-born Caldow scored twice, Adrian Fonoti also got a brace and Jason Cocker completed Spirit's scoring.
Sean Brand got Northern's consolation goal.
Two goals by the inspirational Dan Rutter earned Green Island its first win for eight matches - a 3-1 result over Grants Braes at Sunnyvale.
Joel Stevens also scored and there was an Island own goal.
