Tough band of fixtures suits Peter

Non-League football: 

MOSSLEY joint-manager Peter Band is relishing the prospect of a tough pre-season friendly fixtures schedule.

The Lilywhites, who finished 15th in Evo-Stik Division One North last season, get underway on July 8 against Conference North neighbours Stalybridge Celtic.

They entertain newly-promoted Conference National side Altrincham the following Tuesday, then Conference North outfit Hyde head for Seel Park seven days later. Another Conference National team – FC Halifax Town – provide the opposition at Mossley on July 29, before the Lilywhites round off their summer friendlies with a home clash against Curzon Ashton on August 9.

Trips to lower-ranked sides Winsford on July 19 and Chadderton on July 26 mean there will be a healthy seven games to negotiate in total for Band and his fellow joint-boss Lloyd Morrison ahead of their second season in charge.

Band said: “Lloyd and I feel it’s better to warm up against tough teams from higher up the leagues. We feel we can truly get the best out of the players against stronger opposition.

“We’ve lost a couple of players since the end of last season, but the nucleus of a good squad remains and we’re hoping to be very competitive next time in what will again be a tough division.”