Mossley make hard work of it

NPL West: Mossley 3-3 Kidsgrove Athletic

Mossley, not for the first time this season, almost totally dominated their opponents but failed to take maximum points as Kidsgrove Athletic stole a thoroughly undeserved draw late in the game.

There were surprises in the team line up as Mason Fawns and Antony Brown were left on the bench with Bailey Marsden and Harry Pratt their replacements, while keeper Dale Latham returned after a lengthy spell on the injured list.

An early free kick saw Kidsgrove keeper save Jack Banister’s effort before Kidsgrove sparked into life as the tricky Adu-Gyamfi clipped the Mossley bar. The visitors then took a 9th minute lead. Jepson’s header across the Mossley goal was tapped home by Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi.

Kidsgrove’s lead lasted less than a minute as Harry Pratt created space for himself and curled home an absolute beauty from just outside the box to pull the Lilywhites level.

It didn’t take long before Mossley forged ahead. A superb whipped cross from the right by Marsden was met by Declan Evans who smashed home his 9th goal of the season from close range.

Kane Hickman fired high and wide before some superb one-two, one two passing between Pratt and Andy Keogh ended with Keogh shooting but the angle was tight and Brown saved comfortably.

Another Marsden cross saw Keogh head inches wide and Ben Richardson’s was denied by the diving Brown as Mossley finished the half in the ascendancy.

Kidsgrove came on strong at the start of the second half with Latham twice called into action but as the half settled it was Mossley who again took control. Dec Evans headed just wide from Jordan Butterworth’s pinpoint cross before Pratt’s quick feet and silky skills created havoc in the visitors box but no-one could find the finishing touch in the midst of a goalmouth scramble.

Mossley stretched the lead on 59th minutes when Butterworth’s ball into the box was met by Ben Richardson, his first effort was blocked but he was there to smash home the rebound for the Lilywhites right back’s first goal of the season.

Banister was denied by the keeper before the Lilywhites conceded a soft free kick some 25 yards out with just seven minutes remaining and Callum Leigh curled a great set piece into the top corner with Latham showing too much of his goal.

Substitute Antony Brown had a strong penalty appeal waved away as he was clearly felled in the box and it proved a turning point as Kidsgrove countered and won a free kick which was quickly taken with a moving ball by Adu-Gyamfi. Pinball in the Mossley box followed as Latham made two superb saves but the ball broke to substitute Max McCarthy who was in the right place to net the rebound as the game was about to enter stoppage time and Mossley were left to rue their poor luck as Kidsgrove stole an unlikely point.

Picture by Martyn Nolan @beansontoastuk