Non League Day saw a much improved performance by the Lilywhites who gave an excellent account of themselves in front of around 600 fans in Saturday's 1-1 Seel Park draw against title chasers Marine.
Though not a classic, an entertaining evenly contested game on a bright sunny afternoon was just what was required to make Non League Day an enjoyable experience for everyone present and a perfect advert for what a great day out at Seel park can be.
Mossley took the game to their illustrious visitors from the off with Jack Banister firing over from a great position in the opening moments.
It took the Lilywhites only a further five minutes to open the scoring with a well worked goal. Mason Fawns chipped through ball found the overlapping Joe Rothwell on the right wing and his first time cross was cleverly headed home by Lilywhites skipper Andy Keogh for his eleventh goal of the season.
Marine eased their way into the game with Dunn and Adams both off target with efforts on Brad Kelly’s goal as the visitors employed the long ball approach, as to a lesser extent did Mossley.
Devon Matthews headed over from Butterworth’s deep right wing free kick before
Marine almost found an equaliser. Kelly tipped Dunn’s effort onto his right hand post, Adams followed up but saw his effort hit the same upright before the ball was cleared to safety.
Banister threatened again for the Lilywhites but his shot was blocked. Moments later Connor Morris became the Lilywhites latest injury victim as he limped off to be replaced by Levi Phillips, but the Lilywhites went in ahead at the break.
Mossley attacked straight from the restart but Phillips fired over from Fawns’ typically clever through ball.
Marine’s big target man Niall Cummins came on in the 50th minute and was immediately in the action as his powerful header was headed over his own bar by Matthews.
Keogh fired over, Banister was denied by a good save from Passant and Hickman volleyed over as the Lilywhites responded but disaster was to strike soon after.
On 64 minutes a Marine long ball was deflected into the path of Neil Kengni and he raced forward before clipping his shot beyond Kelly much to the relief of the traveling Mariners management and fans.
Time ran down as the game swung from end to end. Kelly denied Dunn for Marine, Fawns fired over for Mossley, Kengni shot wide for Marine, Phillips shot was blocked for Mossley, Kengni was denied by Kelly for Marine. Passant saved Butterworth’s free kick for Mossley, Watkinson shot wide for Marine and Phillips was denied by a cover tackle for Mossley as both teams failed to find a winner
There’s little doubt Mossley boss David Fish will have been the happier of the two managers with his side’s performance with a draw clearly the fairest result as Marine’s title hopes dented.
Martyn Nolan pics to follow > >
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