Mossley dominated the early stages of the game with some good possession and deservedly took the lead on 25 mins with an excellent strike from the edge of the box from last seasons top scorer Aaron Barrow.

Widnes got an equaliser on 36 mins with a shot from Amir Hajir getting a wicked deflection that wrong footed Mossley substitute keeper Laurence Gibson who had just replaced Dylan Whittle who had sustained a cracked rib in going down at the feet of the onrushing Widnes player.

Mossley continued to dominate play ,forcing several good chances and took the lead again on the stroke of half time with a tap in for Ryan Smith who after a quiet start had grown in confidence as the game progressed.

The second half started much the way of how the first half had had gone with some good link up play with a really good team performance creating a host of chances before Connor D, Hughes got a second equaliser for Widnes , a little unjust as it appeared that centre back James Sutton was blatantly fouled in the build up,

Mossley continued to press and fired in some great efforts from Dylan Fitzgerald and Aaron Barrow that flew narrowly wide or over the crossbar.

Overall , a very encouraging performance from the Academy team who gave debuts to six first year students which if they take forward into the next game bodes well for the season.

Steve Tague