STOCKPORT TOWN 1, MOSSLEY 4
Trialist Dylan Stringer-Moth, a former Liverpool academy player and professional at Wolves, was among the scorers for Mossley in their pre-season friendly win at Stockport Town.
The wide midfielder is no stranger to Lilywhites’ manager David Fish who had him for a short spell at Chadderton.
In recent years Stringer-Moth, 24, has had a nomadic existence with a spell in Sweden and stints at New Mills, Ashton United and Wythenshawe Town.
Ryan Shenton, Jordan Butterworth and Danny McLoughlin were also on target as Mossley made it three straight wins on what was more like a filthy February night than the height of summer.
Fish took positives from the game which was played on the 4G pitch in often monsoonal conditions but admitted there is still much to work on.
He said: “It was as bad a first half as I have seen from us, but we were still 1-0 ahead at half time.
“We couldn’t keep hold of the ball and I don’t think we strung together three passes.
“We also gave away too many free kicks, especially around the edge of the penalty area.”
Town’s side included 17-year-old Max Dickov, a striker like his dad Paul, the former Manchester City and Scotland player who was a spectator. They also named former Wales international Robbie Savage as a substitute, but he was unused.
Town had three clear-cut chances in the opening six minutes as Mossley were not at the races.
The Lilywhites snatched a 13th minute lead against the run of play when Harry Pratt laid off a neat pass to Shenton who found the net with a low drive.
Town would have equalised but for a fine, flying save from Jordan Hadlow to deny Rourke Neal.
Mossley, who moved the ball far quicker in the second period, doubled their lead within one minute of the restart.
Butterworth cut through the Town defence with the precision of an Olympic slalom skier before slotting a shot low past goalkeeper Morgan Piper who then made a terrific stop to thwart Kane Hickman.
Mossley added their third and fourth goals in quick succession in the 72nd and 73rd minutes.
A neat passing move set up McLoughlin who scored with an angled shot while Stringer-Moth intercepted a ball out of defence to punish Town with a stylish finish.
Town scored their consolation with 14 minutes left, a stunning Neal free kick from 25 yards after Hickman was booked for a foul.
And they ought to have scored more as Mossley switched off.
In the final 10 minutes, Harrison Cunningham headed against the upright, another Neal free kick dipped just over and Hadlow pulled off another great stop.