Kengni seals share in Seel Park sunshine…
Match report by Dave McMillan
Marine earned a point with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Mossley’s Seel Park on Saturday.
The homesters had the better of the first half after going ahead in the 6th minute, but the Mariners responded well in a pulsating second half that saw Neil Kengni level the scores after 64 minutes.
Both sides had opportunities to grab all three points but a draw was probably a fair outcome on a glorious spring afternoon in front of a near 600 crowd.
Marine made four changes to the starting line up from the midweek home reverse against Clitheroe with Joe White, Dean Winnard, Alex Doyle and Kielen Adams replacing Josh Solomon-Davies, Jay Devine, Owen Watkinson and Lewis Reilly.
Mossley had the first sight of goal with the lively Jack Banister sending a long range effort over Bayleigh Passant’s crossbar, but the Lilywhites were soon in the lead when Andy Keogh headed in a Mason Fawns cross from the right.
The Mariners came closest to a first half equaliser when Jack Dunn found space on the right of the area, his angled drive coming back off the far post with Kielen Adams hitting the same upright from the rebound.
The second half saw plenty of action at either end, substitute Niall Cummins seeing a goal bound header deflected over the bar by Devon Matthews.
Keogh had another effort go over the top before perhaps the pivotal moment of the game, Banister sliding past Kyle Hayde before unleashing a fierce shot from the left of the area, Passant pulling off an excellent save to turn the ball away for a corner.
Marine were level shortly afterwards, Cummins chesting a pass to put Kengni away down the left, with the club’s top scorer sprinting clear to finish clinically past the advancing Brad Kelly in the home goal.
Joe White came close to putting the visitors ahead with a strong volley at the far post, Kelly producing a fine stop to keep the ball out.
An open last 20 minutes saw several efforts as both sides tried to claim the win, Owen Watkinson coming closest for Marine with a driven shot which flew narrowly wide in the dying embers.
Mossley:
Brad Kelly, Joe Rothwell, Sam Kilner, Jordan Butterworth, Jack Grundy, Devon Matthews, Kane Hickman, Andy Keogh ©, Connor Morris (Levi Phillips 40), Mason Fawns (Andreas Bianga 83), Jack Banister.
Cautions: Keogh, Rothwell, Matthews.
Unused subs: Oliver Broe, Tyler Williams, Jordan Hadlow.
Marine:
Bayleigh Passant, Kyle Hayde, Joe White, Mark Howarth (Niall Cummins 50), Oliver Muir, Dean Winnard, James Barrigan ©, Alex Doyle (David Lynch 56), Kielen Adams (Owen Watkinson 66), Jack Dunn, Neil Kengni.
Cautions: Barrigan, Dunn, Lynch
Unused subs: James Devine, Ryan Wignall.
Referee: Aran Hodgkinson
Assistants: Ainsley Sawicz, Zac Bamber.
Attendance: 593.
