Mossley and Trafford proved inseparable in a hard fought 1-1 draw at Seel Park on Saturday.

An unchanged starting line up saw Mossley buoyed by the pre match news that the popular Ben Richardson had re-signed from Woodley got off to a flying start with Alex Byrne twice stinging the hands of Trafford keeper Ben Robinson with two powerful drives from outside the box.

After dominating the opening exchanges the Lilywhites finally edged ahead on 24 minutes when Cavell Coo went on a mazy run on the right, beating two defenders before crossing to an unmarked Nathan Neequaye. The Mossley number nine calmly controlled the ball with his first touch before rifling the ball into the net beyond the reach of Robinson from 15 yards.

Trafford then enjoyed their best spell of the game as they finally got their passing game together and shots from Paul Ashton and ex Mossley man Joe Shaw flew narrowly wide before the visitors got their equalizer on 32 minutes. Keil O'Brien mis-timed a tackle on Trafford skipper Ashton and the referee awarded a penalty that former Mossley striker Mike Oates fired into the top corner with Martin Pearson sent the wrong way.

Trafford controlled the game through to half time with Pearson saving well to deny shots from Collier and Oates.

The second half saw Mossley create the better chances. Osebi Abadaki was denied by Robinson after a mazy run down the left and later when the same player attacked down the right Robinson was on hand to save well at the feet of Neequaye as Abadaki fired in a low cross. Substitute Ben McNamara then saw his dipping long distance drive tipped over by Robinson while at the other end Trafford substitute Kamahl Whight had an effort well saved by Robinson.

In the end, in what had been very much an end to end game a draw was probably the fairest result and one that left both managers with positives to take and food for thought.

Report by Wizard

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