An even affair at The Brewery Field saw Moors held to a National League North draw by Peterborough Sports, on a beautifully sunny Saturday afternoon.
Moors opened the scoring through Corey McKeown, who cut inside and curled a shot in off the root of the upright, before The Turbines found their equaliser in the second half when captain, Ryan Fryatt thumped home from the back post.
The visitors opened the game with a half chance early on through Matt Bondswell, who whipped a freekick deep toward Fryatt at the back post. However, he couldn’t quite get a touch on it, as it went out for a goal kick.
Moors looked to get themselves in front on the 10th minute, as loanee Fin Shrimpton looped a ball to Glen Taylor in the box. The big number 9 rose to meet the ball but couldn’t keep his header down.
Some half chances went begging for both sides, as some good build-up saw Reece Staunton released into space, only for his cross to soar out of play, before Sports saw a low cross dealt with by Dan Rowe, who smashed clear.
It was Moors who created the first real chance of the game, however, as some smart play from McKeown allowed him to slip Glen Taylor in behind. The striker prodded an effort goalward only for it to be stopped low by keeper Peter Crook.
Staunton tried to salvage the opportunity, as the ball fell to him on the edge of the area after tenacious play from Matty Dolan, but his well struck drive flew just over the crossbar.
Brad James was called into action twice on the half hour mark to prevent multiple crosses from Turbines players, the first of which from Will Van Lier, before Michael Gyasi got down the wing, firing one straight at the Moors Number 1.
Despite the visitors’ pressure, it was Moors who got themselves in front on the 39th minute mark. McKeown found himself in space to the left side of the 18-yard box. The young winger cut past his man, jinking into the area, before firing a low, curled strike into the far post, ricocheting into the back of the net.
Moors looked to add to their lead just before half time, coming forward with some real intent. Van Lier was forced into defensive action to prevent an interesting looking ball in from Staunton. The number 8 was lucky not to see his intervention turned home, as the ball flew agonisingly wide, grazing the post on its way out.
Graem Lee will have been pleased to see his side go into the break 1-0 up against such a resolute defence, whereas dual managers, Michael Gash and Luke Steele, will have been happy with the way their side took to the field in the second half.
Olly Dyson was forced into early action as he had to block a Bondswell cross into the area as The Turbines looked to find their leveller in the opening stages after the restart.
Junior Mondal looked to have his own say on the scoreline as he did well to thread his way toward the byline, before cutting back for Taylor in the centre. However, the captain was unable to control, and saw his chance go begging.
The Turbines continued to try and break down Moors defence. This time it was Sam Straughan-Brown who tried his luck from the edge of the area, only for Dolan to deflect it out for a corner.
Moors had a good chance to double their advantage on the 59th minute, as Glen Taylor won a freekick 20 or so yards from goal. The striker thundered a strike goalward, but the shot just continued to rise and flew well over the bar.
Peterborough Sports collected themselves after the freekick and found their equaliser just a minute later. The visitors won a corner on the left side, which Van Lier stepped up to take. The midfielder’s deep cross found Fryatt deep at the back post, where the captain thumped an effort into the roof of the net, above the helpless James.
With the game now level, Moors needed to find their footing and try to get themselves back in the driving seat. Substitute Nathan Simpson gave Crook something to deal with as he had to tip the wide man’s awkward cross over the bar.
Ben Pollock created a half chance when he connected with Dolan’s long freekick into the far post, but the centre-half’s attempt at the ball couldn’t be driven goalwards and looped out for a goal kick, as another chance went begging.
Signs of frustration started to show for Moors, which Sports looked to use to their advantage. Dan Jarvis tried his effort from long range; however, James was on hand to claim low, recovering well after almost spilling it.
Some sloppy attempts to advance up the pitch saw The Turbine’s win the ball back in Moors territory. Alfie Atherton found space for a shot on goal, but James was there again to prevent a second goal.
Simpson continued to show promise down the wing as the Middlesbrough loanee floated an enticing looking ball into the box, which somehow, no one was able to get a real hold of.
Some more smart play again from Simpson almost created an unfortunate situation for Crook, who had come far out of his area to try and intercept Taylor’s long switch of play. Simpson, however, won the footrace between the two, forcing Crooks to scamper back to his goalmouth. The winger played a lofted ball across to McKeown on the edge of the box, who wriggled for space only to see his shot deflected up in the air for Crook to claim.
Despite Moors late pressure, Michael Gash and Luke Steele’s men continued to look dangerous in possession. Substitute Nathaniel Muenda found himself in behind before dispatching a shot on goal, but James was yet again there to stop the effort.
The chance wasn’t over for the away outfit there however, as the ball bounced out to Van Lier, who smashed his effort wide as Moors men scrambled around to prevent damage.
An unfortunate draw for Moors, who just couldn’t find their way back in front against a strong Turbines defence. Graeme Lee will now be focusing his attention to Tuesday evening’s away fixture at Buxton.
Full Time: Moors 1 Peterborough Sports 1
Spennymoor Town: James, Dyson, Rowe, Pollock, Staunton, Shrimpton (Huntley 67), Dolan; Mondal (Simpson 59), Ramshaw (Rutledge 77), McKeown, Taylor.
Subs not used: Myers, Ledger.
Peterborough Sports (3-5-2): Crook, Kamara, Gash, Fryatt, Van Lier, Straughan-Brown, Alban-Jones, Jarvis, Bondswell (Mukuna 76), Gyasi, Atherton (Muenda 72).
Subs not used: Elsom, Osagie, Challinor.
Referee: Liam Smith
Attendance: 1,202
Written by Noah Betts
