Mossley Reserves took a point off League leaders and reigning champions Bamber Bridge at Seel Park on Thursday evening but it could have been all three as Mossley struck the woodwork on three seperate occasions.

It was an entertaining game on an excellent Seel Park surface with both teams attempting to play open attacking football. It was though, a completely unfamiliar Mossley line up with several players making their debuts.

Ben McNamara was making his first competitive start of the season and he had an excellent game, breaking up Brig attacks while being creatrive and inventive going forward. Reserve skipper Mike Jones was also making his first appearance this term and he and central defensive partner John Buckley (ex FC United of Manchester) were solid throughout.

Mossley's first strike against the woodwork came around thirty minutes in when Jay Walcott cannoned a shot off the inside of the post with the visitors keeper beaten and a few minutes later Walcott saw another shot cannon off the angle of post and bar and away to safety as Mossley looked the more likely to open the scoring.

Mossley defended well but gave away the softest of goals on 41 minutes. Keeper Jack Danbrough took a short goalkick to the edge of the box that Darron Green intercepted to score easily.

The Lilywhites lost left back Ben Fallows to a foot injury at the interval and former Rochdale winger Theo Coleman replaced him which caused a reshuffle with another former FC United player Chris Horne switching to left back and youth teamer Tom Doyle comingh in at right back.

Mossley were fully deserving of their equaliser on 54 minutes. Ex Trafford left winger Curtis Connell, who was causing the visitors defence all kinds of problems, whipped in a low deep cross that saw Ben McNamara strike a perfect shot off the underside of the bar for a more than deserved leveller.

Steven Green went close for Brig when his effort came back off a post and then Darnbrough was alert to make a good save from Clark.

Soon after, the quick and lively Walcott struck the woodwork a third time when his powerful drive came back off the underside of the bar and Walcott went close again in the closing minutes but this time his shot cleared the bar after he had again opened the Brig defence with his pace.

In the end honours even but there were some promising dsiplays by the Mossley newcomers that again augers well for the future of the club.

Report by Wizard