Mossley gave an encouraging and highly promising display in beating Clitheroe 2-0 at Shawbridge on Saturday.

The ‘Orangites’ took the game to their hosts, playing some fine attacking football and scoring two finely taken goals.

The scorer of those goals was centre forward Mike Fish. Fishy spent must of last season on the wing or in midfield and rarely in his favoured central attacking role and he has taken to his new job with relish. Having scored 8 goals in pre season the former Stalybridge Celtic player hit the net twice in the first half at Shawbridge to again show his predatory instincts.

His opener followed a mazy run through the visitors defence similar to the one he scored at Liversedge in pre season and the second was a crisp finish following an excellent through ball by winger Dave Hanlon.

Mossley dominated the first half play and were good value for their lead while former Mossley front man Danny Toronczak was largely ineffective leading the Clitheroe line.

The home side came more into the game in the second half and the enthusiasm of another ex Mossley player Anthony Johnson caused some consternation in the visitors defence.

Mossley were solid defensively, very lively in midfield with Leon Henry playing a typically livewire game in a central role and Mossley were always a threat on the break even when Clitheroe enjoyed a good spell of second half possession and in the later stages perhaps may have added to their tally but overall it was an excellent way to open the 2008/09 season and a fully deserved victory.

There was an unfortunate incident ten minutes from the end when Mossley keeper Liam Higginbotham caught left wing back Nick Challinor with a punch whilst clearing his line leaving his former Woodley Sports team-mate with a sore neck and concussion. The game was held up for ten minutes while Challinor was fitted with a neck brace and carried from the field.

Fortunately the injury didn’t prove to be serious and although currently sporting a sore neck the tall left back should be fit again fairly quickly

So, Mossley hit the play off places on the first day of the season. Time will tell if they are thereabouts come April.

pics by Aaron Flanagan