A foggy Seel Park witnessed a ‘Christmas Cracker’ of a game on Saturday as Mossley completed their first League ‘double’ of the season in startling fashion with an exciting and dramatic 5-4 victory over Kendal Town.

The Lilywhites gave starting debuts to central defender Declan Evans and midfielder Matty Crothers with two further new boys on the bench in Ash Leather and Prince Yossuf.

The early play swung quickly from end to end but it was the visitors who drew first blood when Robert Bowman burst through a defensive gap to fire the Cumbrians ahead on 6 minutes.

However, within two minutes Mossley were level as Rio Ahmadi teed up Adam Latham for a smart driven ten yard finish.

Chances came at both ends but the visitors edged ahead again on 16 minutes when Richard Seear finished well after some sloppy Mossley defending.

Ahmadi had a goal chalked off for off-side before Tom Dean levelled matters again on 37 minutes as he headed home from close range from Matty Crothers' left wing free kick to send the sides in level at the break.

Kendal opened the second half brightly and Seear came close when his angled effort hit the outside of the angle but it was Mossley who scored next. Duffy’s corner flicked by Ahmadi for Liam Ellis to head home from eight yards on 64 minutes. The lead was short lived though as Kendal went straight up the other end equalised through Bowman who had too much space at the back post.

Mossley enjoyed a good spell of pressure and it finally paid off on 76 minutes when Ahmadi found the net with a looping header following some great work by Latham and Ellis on the right.

Again the lead was short lived. On 80 minutes Matthew Clarke replaced Seear for Kendal and two minutes later he drew the sides level yet again with a stunning 25 yard left foot drive that gave Mossley keeper Oliver Martin no chance.

The drama wasn’t finished though as with four minutes left on the clock Liam Ellis went on a surging run, cutting in from the right wing he was clipped some five yards outside the Kendal box. Man of the Match Rio Ahamdi stepped up to curl a beautiful free kick over the Kendal wall and into the top left corner of the net.

Mossley threatened a fifth goal as Kendal finally ran out of steam and ideas but the game was won as the Seel Park fog thickened and fans were left to travel home in a ‘pea souper’ having witnessed a truly thrilling game to start the festive season with a bang.

Wiz

Martyn Nolans pics > >