MOSSLEY 2, OSSETT UNITED 0
Manager David Fish praised the maturity of his young Mossley side which kicked off its Northern Premier League, north west division campaign with a home victory against Ossett United in front of a 400-capacity crowd.
Goals from captain Andy Keogh and Ryan Shenton earned three points, but equally impressive was the clean sheet following a solid defensive display.
“When you look at our back line, we have a 19-year-old goalkeeper, two 18-year-olds and one aged 21,” Fish explained.
“Centre-back Jack Grundy is aged 18 and was up against striker Tom Greaves who has played more than 600 games. I told him he earned his non-league stripes.”
Grundy joined Mossley in the summer after being released by Oldham Athletic. He is no stranger, though, as he enjoyed a loan spell at Seel Park last season.
Fish was pleased with the way his side managed the game against an Ossett side that had former Oldham Athletic player George Green on the bench.
Green was signed by Everton from Bradford City aged 14 for a fee of £300,000 which could have risen to £2million had he achieved success with the Toffees.
Fish was delighted how his side managed the game with goalkeeper Liam Lovell only having one save of note to make.
That was hugely important as it came moments after Keogh had put Mossley ahead in the 21st minute with a smart finish from a tight angle.
Greaves was clean through on goal, but Lovell made an important block with his legs.
There was also a headed goalline clearance from left-back Sam Kilner to help Mossley preserve their one-goal lead.
Keaton Mulvey, the striker on loan from Rochdale, provided his second assist of the game and fifth in two matches as he set up Shenton who curled on a delightful second soon after the restart.
Mossley came close to a third goal 12 minutes from time when substitute Dylan Fitzgerald made a weaving solo burst forward and forced goalkeeper Max Dearnley to spectacularly tip over his shot from outside the box.