MOSSLEY 3, CLITHEROE 0
New-look Mossley’s resounding win against Clitheroe, one of the favourites for promotion in Northern Premier League, West, was a huge statement.
Two goals from centre back Mateusz Kardasz and one from Will Shepherd earned the Lilywhites an emphatic victory in their opening home league game of the campaign.
And Mossley are unlucky not to have a 100 per cent record after conceding a 93rd minute equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle Town.
“I would have taken four points from our first two games, but perhaps the other way around,” explained Mossley manager David Fish.
“I had hoped to win at Newcastle Town where we had eight or nine good chances.
“Clitheroe are one of the favourites for promotion along with Hednesford. They are the two teams to beat.
“Clitheroe have recruited well and have a good manager (Jimmy Bell, ex No 2 at Accrington Stanley) and I expected a tough game.”
Fish has recruited players from their level or one step below and who are young and hungry – the average age of the side is under 22 years.
He said: “We needed to shuffle the pack in the summer and refresh the dressing room.
“Only three of the side which started in the FA Cup tie at Colne remained from last season.
“We have started to click and the atmosphere and attitude in the dressing room is good.”
On a wet and miserable night, Mossley have the crowd of 327 plenty to cheer in an opening half which saw them establish an emphatic 3-0 victory.
They might have been ahead before the 19th minute, when they made the breakthrough, but for a fabulous save from visiting keeper Mason Walker to acrobatically turn over a header from Kardacz, a summer signing from Colne.
Reece Webb-Foster fired in a low shot which Walker could only parry and Shepherd swept home the loose ball.
It was 2-0 before the half hour when a ball was fired over from the right and, following a scramble, Kardacz forced home a close-range effort.
Clitheroe were handed a way back into the game when they were awarded a 31st minute penalty after Jack Marrow’s challenge on Lee Pugh.
Former Mossley striker Louie Potts stepped forward and blazed wide rom 12 yards, an extraordinary spot kick miss.
Mossley went three ahead when Walker palmed out a corner but only as far as Kardacz as the former Accrington Stanley apprentice, had the easiest of finishes.
The second half saw Clitheroe dominate possession but create little – Mossley keeper Finley Madigan had an easy night between the posts.
That was down to excellent defending from Mossley’s backline which was solid throughout and snuffed out any imminent danger with great authority to leave Clitheroe boss Bell with plenty to ponder.