The sleepy village of North Ferriby was awakened by the arrival of around 100 noisy Mossley fans for the Lilywhites first away fixture in the UniBond League, and much to the great delight of those who had traveled to Humberside it was Mossley who were victorious in an incident filled game that had the fans on their toes throughout.
Mossley had opened brightly with the pace and strength of the front line much to the fore but Ferriby also looked a threat with the experienced Fothergill leading the line to good effect and the diminutive Gary Bradshaw and two lively wingers giving the Mossley back four plenty to think about.
It was Fothergill who gave the homesters an 11th minute lead with a neatly worked move and for a few minutes Mossley looked like collapsing as a couple more chances were spurned by the lively United.
The Lilywhites (claret & blues) were rattled but not downhearted and duly equalized seven minutes later. Rezai’s long free kick into the box was controlled by Leon Mike, his lay off found Rhodri Giggs lurking just inside the box and the exciting Mossley winger’s angled drive flew into the bottom corner.
Mossley edged in front on 32 minutes. Giggs again caused havoc on the right and his pin-point cross saw Leon Mike perfectly poised to place a powerful diving header past stranded home keeper Sharp.
A third goal was almost added on the stroke of half time when Chris Downey raced through despite being fouled, but his shot looped over the keeper and agonizingly back off the bar.
The home side enjoyed a spell of pressure after the break but Mossley defended resolutely and looked a real threat on attack. So it was no real surprise when Leon Mike added a third on 55 minutes after a mazy run and low cross by inspirational skipper Josh Howard.
More chances were created and Downey, Giggs and Mike all went close before Ferriby reduced the arrears from the spot. Fothergill scoring his second after Bradshaw went to ground a little easily under Ellison’s challenge.
An ugly incident then threatened to spoil proceedings when a punch was thrown and 22 players jostled as referee Greenwood constantly sounded his whistle. Order was finally restored and Bradshaw, along with Mossley’s Shaun Dootson both saw red.
Ferriby pressed hard but Mossley were still the greater threat. The introduction of subs Mario Daniel, Adam Morning and then Jordan Goodeve caused a tiring home defence to visibly wilt. Daniel might have scored twice and Morning once before the game was wrapped up in the dying moments as former Macclesfield teenager Goodeve hammered home from close range after Daniel and Giggs had superbly prevented Ferriby from clearing their lines.