Despite completely dominating the second half of this season opener against Bamber Bridge at Seel Park new look Mossley were unable to break down a resolute visitors defence and succumbed to a single goal defeat aganst an experienced North Lancastrian side.

Bamber Bridge opened the game in high gear and took the game to their hosts with Collinge forced to save an early effort by Towey. However the Lilywhites relief was short lived and Dunn's deep cross was met with a looping header by ex Skelmersdale United defender Michael White and Mossley were a goal down with just ten minutes on the clock.

Mossley finally started to get into the game and chances fell to Danny Egan and Mike Fish but Brig keeper Ben Hinchliffe was in superb form and saved well from both.

Mossley made a change on 36 minutes with Jordan Goodeve replacing the out of sorts Rico Ramsey which meant a defensive reshuffle with Daryl Weston moving to right back, Ben Richardson switching to the left and Goodeve taking up a familiar midfield slot. From then on the game was pretty much all Mossley as the visitors were pushed deeper and deeper into the own territory as the industrious Chris Rowney began to dominate the midfield area.

Steve Settle was denied by a brilliant Hinchliffe save to leave the visitors ahead at the break but Mossley came out with all guns blazing in the second half and were a denied a goal when the onside looking Mike Fish scored only to be flagged off as he slotted home what should have been the equaliser.

Andy Watson headed over from a free kick as Mossley turned up the gas. Osebi Abadaki replaced Egan and Mossley were sizzling as Abadaki's pace started to cause consternation in the Brig defence and several attempts on goal were blocked or scrambled away as the visitors made a strong double bank of defenders accross the edge of the box with just a sole front runner to ease the pressure.

Mossley were then denied a penalty as strong claims against Crowder for handball were waved away after Abadaki had caused havoc, then Mike Oates, on for Matty Kay, had an early chance but his effort went past the far post.

Brig's defending remained desperate to the end but they somehow held on to take maximum points from a game in which they were most fortunate to get anything at all.

For Mossley's young side it was a severe learning curve and they are going to have to learn how to unlock stubborn defenses sooner rather than later.

Report by Wizard

pics by Garry Hadfield