Tuesday 21st February 2006
@ Parkside Road, Kendal

Mossley
1. Lee Bracey (7)
2. Andy Thackeray (7)
3. Steve Sheil (6)
4. Paul Challinor (7) Y
5. Nicky Thompson (7)
6. Melford Knight (7)
7. Rhodri Giggs (7)
8. Martin Allison (7)
9. Paul Garvey (8)
10. Chris Downey (6)
11. Adam Morning (7)
subs
12. Jordan Goodeve (7)
(for Downey 60 mins)
14. Joe Shaw (7)
(for Allison 75 mins)
15. Joel Pilkington (6)
(for Sheil 25 mins)

Mossley scorer:
Andy Thackeray (83 mins)

Kendal Town
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
subs
12.
(for )
14.
(for )
15.
(for )

Kendal scorer:
Dean Whittal-Williams (12 mins)

The top of the table clash at the recently renamed 'Planet Conservatories Stadium' between League leaders Mossley and second placed Kendal Town saw a keenly contested 1-1 draw in what was the proverbial 'game of two halves'.

Mossley opened well and forced Kendal onto the back foot from the kick off. However, with the home sides first serious attack of the game they took a 12th minute lead. A long angled pass from defence found John Osbourne clear on the right and his pinpoint cross was headed home at the far post by Dean Whittal-Williams.

Kendal, with the slope and wind in their favour went on to dominate the remainder of the half but some wayward shooting let them down despite some swift and accurate approach play.

Mossley unfortunately lost left back Steve Sheil with a serious looking ankle injury on 25 minutes and he was replaced by Joel Pilkington.

The second half saw Mossley's turn to dominate with match sponsors Mossley man of the match Paul Garvey proving a real handful for the home defence.

Mossley were able to assert their own game on Kendal and pressed the Cumbrians into their own half for long periods and Mossley were full value for the equaliser when it duly arrived just seven minutes from time.

Substitute Jordan Goodeve won a challenge in midfield and fed Adam Morning on the left. Morning had struggled for accuracy with his crossing all night on a skiddy surface but on this occasion raced to the dead ball line and whipped in a great ball that eluded keeper James Salisbury and the unlikely figure of right back and captain Andy Thackeray appeared unmarked at the far post to head home from close range.

Mossley pressed hard to try and find a winner in the late stages but in the end were more than happy to take a point. A result which manager Jason Beckford described in the aftermath as 'as good as a win'. Few would argue with that as Mossley maintained the four point gap at the top of the table.