Mossley gave a superb performance in beating title chasing Marine 2-0 at Seel Park on Saturday. The win sealed by a simply magnificent second goal scored by substitute Ben Richardson.
The highly rated visitors were for the most part thoroughly outplayed by the resurgent Lilywhites who recorded back to back wins for the first time this season and also pleasingly kept a clean sheet for the first time in twelve games. This in front of the visiting group of Mossley legends that included the likes of Leo Skeete, Lennie Dickenson and Gary Pierce.
The Lilywhites put in a terrific shift, comfortably keeping the visitors attack stifled with some superb defending and looking a constant threat going forward to deservedly inflict the Mariners first League defeat since mid October.
Prompted by skipper Andy Keogh who seemed to be at the heart of everything, Mossley kept a shaky looking Marine defence on their toes as Ben Halfacre, Ryan Brooke and Kayde Coppin buzzed and probed around the Marine danger area.
Brooke saw his well struck shot hit the right hand post but Mossley were to be rewarded to the full on 33 minutes. A defensive clearance landed at the feet of Mark Lees who lifted the ball first time back into the Marine box. As the Mariners defence stepped forward, Ben Halfacre continued his run to reach the ball ten yards from goal to loop a header over the stranded keeper Mendes and into the net.
Brooke should have added a second soon after but his header from Coppin's cross flew the wrong side of the post.
Jes Uchegbulam replaced Gary Gee after the interval and once again gave a new dimension to Mossley's attacks.
Marine barely threatened as Mossley closed down space, tackling with vigor and intercepting Marine passes to keep the visitors pegged back.
The Lilywhites had to wait until eight minutes from time to make safe the victory but what a strong 'goal of the season' contender it was. 'Man of the Match' Keogh strode forward and fed Uchegbulam on the right, he in turn switched play left with a long angled pass to fellow substitute Dylan Fitzgerald. The Lilywhites academy star in turn laid the ball back perfecrtly into the path of the in rushing Ben Richardson who hit one of probably the hardest shots Seel Park has ever seen from the left corner of the box that simply rocketed past Mendes and into the roof of the net. Richardson for certain won't mind the yellow card he received for removing his shirt in the ecstatic Park End celebrations.
It was a fantastic win on a memorable day for all Lilywhites fans as Mossley laid to rest the heavy defeat from the away game and deservedly beat one of the Lilywhites' historical 'bogey' teams into the bargain.
Wiz
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