Mossley 0 Runcorn Linnets 0

Sometimes there can be games that despite being goal-less are still quite exciting and eventful... not this one.

Unfortunately the disadvantage of picking a first game to write a match report on before it happens means that sods law will kick in - the game will be so lifeless that there will barely be anything worth reporting on!

There was a crowd of 228 which is above the norm for Mossley (usually more like 150) mainly because a lot of Runcorn Linnets fans made the trip and gave it a bit of an atmosphere.

To be honest - for the entire first half neither team looked likely to score. Runcorn Linnets perhaps had the only goalscoring chance - their player to the right of goal received the ball on the edge of the penalty area in space... and sliced it horribly wide. Mossley had a few long range bobblers on target and then late in the half had their own close range chance - but Cavell Coo hit it straight into the goalkeeper's hands.

At half time I moved to the covered stand behind one of the goals and kept nearly getting hit by stray balls - even when the match wasn't taking place the finishing was woeful!!

Mossley had more of the possession in the second half but this counted for little as they never seemed close to an end product. Then out of nowhere - a low free kick which was going to miss by a mile took a big deflection and hit the post! Not too long later Runcorn also came close - a powerful shot from outside the penalty area hit the top of the bar.

That was about it - Mossley's defence seemed to get bored at one point - a harmless long ball went in their direction - one of them attempted a volleyed clearance - sliced it horribly into the air. Another of the defenders chased it... and did exactly the same thing!!?! And then would you believe it - a third defender chases this - could have just knocked it out or taken it down, what does he do? - HE SLICES ANOTHER VOLLEY HIGH INTO THE AIR!?!?! Runcorn could have had a sitter from this, but in keeping with the rest of the game, mucked it up.

Both teams had several late free kicks and corners, but neither could do anything with them. The game goes to a replay at Runcorn Linnets this Tuesday night (won't be at it due to me not being able to get home after it on public transport) and the winner will be away to Squires Gate two weeks today, as Squires Gate won 1-0 at home to Atherton Collieries today. Judging off today's match, the replay is likely to also be very close and is very hard to call.