Match Report -
Mossley win
By Iain Benson
Celtic kicked off the new season with a loss at Mossley in the Frank Robinson Memorial Trophy, thanks to two goals from ex-Celtic striker, Mike Fish.

Celtic started quite brightly, and there was plenty of good movemebt, but the Mossley goal was charmed. In the opening few minutes, Chris Hall chased down and crossed for Matty Barlow, but the Mossley keeper pulled off a great one hand reaction save to his left, the ball falling to Steve Torpey, but as he lifted it over the keeper, the ball rebounded off the bar. Maty Barlow was then put through by Nicky Platt, and tried to walk the ball into the net, but Higginbotham was barave collectin off his feet.

Rusty defending from Paul Sykes and Garry Burke saw them slip as a low ball came into the box, and with Paul Phillips stretched, Mike Fish was on hand to poach a goal.

Celtic should have got a goal back, but heroic defending and another good save kept Mossley's lead. Andy Smart's cross was turned goalwards by Barrie Keeling, with a clawed out save falling to Chris Hall, but both his attempts were blocked on the line.

Again, Mossley punished Celtic through Mike Fish, allowed to advance unimpeded on the angle, before entering the box, curled his shot past Phillips.

It was all change for both teams at half time, with Only Sykes and Smart remaining from the first half. Again, Celtic enjoyed the lion's share of the possession, with some good movement, the trialists mixing it with players from last season like Mike Roddy and Greg Wilkinson. Some good movement saw rapid trialist from the reserves, Campbell, firing in a low cross that Lee Ellinton converted with a scissor kick.

Campbell used pace and power to get into a good position, and forced a good save from changed keeper Lewis, getting the ball back, but seeing his prodded shot blocked on the line.

Celtic looked like they were trying for an equaliser, and were playing quite high up the field. Brook took advantage, beating the offside trap with a powerful run, to go one-on-one with Martin Pearson. Pearson looked in two minds, and Brook slid the ball in at the near post.

For the opening game, it was a good work out for the whole team. Team from: Phillips, Pearson, Burke, Sykes, Wilkinson, Platt, Hall, Keeling, Roddy, Smart, Barlow, Torpey, Ellington, Morris, Cullingworth, Campbell, McGuire, Dickinson