MOSSLEY 0, CITY OF LIVERPOOL 1
Mossley’s home defeat by City of Liverpool effectively ended their play-off hopes in Northern Premier League, west, though it is not mathematically impossible to make the top five.
The Lilywhites are now nine points adrift of City of Liverpool who occupy the last play-off spot.
“With five games left, the play-offs are beyond us,” explained manager David Fish.
“We need to make sure the season doesn’t fizzle out as we still have some big games, starting with Monday’s match against Stalybridge Celtic which is huge for our fans.”
The Lilywhites’ loss did Celtic no favours in their bid for a top-five finish. They are 10th and now six points adrift of Coty of Liverpool, again with five matches left.
This match underlined the competitiveness of west division.
The mid-table Lilywhites more than matched the Merseysiders who strengthened their hold on the last play-off place.
“It epitomised our season,” explained Fish. “We were competitive enough but in the big moments could not take our chances and lacked quality in the final third.”
The match had goalless draw stamped all over it until City of Liverpool were awarded an 81st minute spot kick for a raised boot in the penalty area which caught a visiting player.
Strickland sent goalkeeper Finlay Madigan the wrong way to seal the points.
It was a match in which defences ruled and Madigan and opposite number Calvin Hare stood out.
In the opening half, Madigan pulled off decent saves to deny Josh Quarless and Kyle Schorah while Danny Mitchley had an effort ruled out for offside.
Mossley’s one gilt-edged chance saw Alfie Belcher bring s fine flying save from Hare.
Belcher also had a great chance in the second half but fired straight at Hare.
City of Liverpool also had their moments as Schorah blazed wide with the goal at his mercy while a free kick from Quarless was shovelled to safety by Madigan.
Shortly before the visitors were awarded a penalty, Mossley had their best chance of the match. Luke Barlow’s shot was heading for the net only to be kept out by team-mate Reece Webb-Foster who inadvertently got in the way of the ball.
That miss perfectly summed up Mossley’s day in front of goal as they were destined not to find the net.