CALM END TO A WILD MOSSLEY DYNASTY
DEPARTING manager David Wild ended his two-year reign on a high as Mossley beat play-off chasing Marske United.
Taking charge of his final Mossley match, Wild enjoyed a 1-0 farewell victory courtesy of Jes Uchegabulem’s 76th minute strike at Seel Park.
The home side almost got off to the perfect start as Ben Halfacre saw his shot hit the post inside the first three minutes.
Mossley keeper Liam Lovell was also called into action in the opening stages as he saved a freekick before denying Louis Johnson.
The crossbar was then rattled by Arran Wearmouth on 29 minutes as Mossley breathed a sigh of relief.
In search of a winner, Wild brought on Uchegbulam in the second half and it paid off.
After Lovell saved Lewis Maloney’s long-range effort, Mossley went down the other end and broke the deadlock.
Uchegbulam raced clear before slotting past keeper Jack Norton to score what proved to be the decisive goal.
Marske’s defeat saw them slip outside the playoff places as Tadcaster
United climbed to fifth position after drawing 0-0 with City of Liverpool at the i2i Stadium.
Tadcaster went close to scoring on ten minutes when Jack Walters’ free-kick was fumbled by keeper Owen Wheeler but a defender cleared.
The wind was causing havoc as Jake Day hooked Elliot Nevitt’s header off the line on 32 minutes.
Moments before the interval Will Annan’s cross found Andy Monkhouse whose header whistled over the bar.
The chances continued to fall Tadcaster’s way in the second period, but they kept misfiring as Chimalilo Donald failed to turn home Adam Porritt’s delivery.
In the closing minutes Wheeler tipped over
Donald’s cross before Walters saw his header get hooked behind.
Widnes boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop with a 2-0 triumph at Brighouse Town – their third victory in six.
The home side opened the scoring on seven minutes after being awarded a penalty. Matt Smith saved but James Murray tucked away the rebound.
This gave Widnes the edge and they held onto their one-goal lead before ensuring all three points with a second penalty in stoppage time.
Jamie Rainford held his nerve to convert from the spot as Widnes moved eight clear of basement boys Pickering Town. Meanwhile, Ossett United remain in the bottom three after losing 1-0 to Marine at Ingfield.
After kicking off 2020 with three wins in four matches Ossett appeared to be turning a corner but they have now lost their past two games.
Marine defended well in the opening passages of play, blocking two shots from Marko Basic before keeper Dan Atherton pulled off a good save to thwart Luke Porritt.
Almost immediately Marine went down the other end and came agonisingly close to scoring with Neil Kengni hitting the post from a tight angle.
The best chance of the half for Ossett fell to Tom Greaves but he headed over Basic’s cross as the hosts failed to take advantage of having the wind behind them.
Ossett continued to threaten but were unable to deliver a goal as Atherton made a couple of saves.
As the half wore on, Marine piled on the pressure and eventually bagged the winner on 76 minutes thanks to Mark Howard’s free-kick.