TRAFFORD 1 MOSSLEY 1

Ten man Trafford battled gallantly but were denied victory by an equaliser by Mossley’s Jack Grundy five minutes from time in their New Year’s Day clash at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.
The hosts started the game brilliantly with Hilal Khan going close in the 7th minute with a low drive that Chris Thompson pushed past the post.
Just a minute later they took the lead when debutant Sam Gill and Scott Kay worked a short corner on the right, the former swinging a low cross into the penalty area that Niall Cummins swept into the far corner.
Reece Webb-Foster poked a shot wide from just eight yards and Sam Booth held a 25 yard drive from Ben Darby as Mossley began to dominate and Trafford became a little careless with their passing.
Mossley left winger Jack Bannister fired just over and Trafford scrambled the ball clear following a right wing corner before the game changing moment arrived three minutes into injury time, Trafford striker Niall Cummins receiving a red card for what referee Hussain perceived to be dangerous play as Cummins kicked the ball into the midriff of the prone Jack Grundy.
This incident ruined the match as a spectacle as the second half virtually became a game of attack v defence with Trafford’s ten men heroically defending for long spells.
Skipper Harry Norris and Jordan Fagbola were once again magnificent in the centre of the defence and when Mossley did break through, goalkeeper Sam Booth saved well to deny Reece Webb-Foster and Andy Keogh.
At the other end, and in a rare Trafford attack, Harry Norris headed a deep cross by Mike Burke just over and in the 81st minute Eddie Servuts appeared to be pulled back but referee Hussain ignored home appeals for a penalty.
In the 85th minute Trafford’s resistance was finally broken when Mossley full back Darren Holden hurled a long throw in from the left, the ball was flicked on and Jack Grundy headed just inside the far post to make it 1-1.
Andy Keogh and Webb-Foster both went close as Mossley stormed forward but amazingly it was Trafford who finished the game with a flourish, substitute Eoin Hogan seeing a 25 yard drive pushed past the post by Thompson and then cracking a shot that flew just past the far upright.
The point gained means that Trafford remain in the third from bottom place in the NPL West Division but they were left to reflect on yet another game that was clouded by a controversial and contentious refereeing decision.
Despite their disappointment, the draw means that Trafford have extended their unbeaten run to five games and they will be hoping to make it six on Saturday when they travel to play Hanley Town, kick off 3 p.m.
(Pic courtesy of The Oldham Groundhopper on Facebook)