The two sides enjoyed some real battles in the old NPL Division 1 North with the men from Saddleworth having the final say in the 2012-13 season by raining in thirteen goals over the two meetings against Vernol Blair's struggling side. Happily for Garforth supporters, this was to be a more competitive affair.

Goalkeeper Toby Wells made a surprise appearance for this one, replacing the unavailable Harry Flatters. With a few others missing, Jay Davis and trialists Joe Allerton and Donald Chimalilo were among the starters.

Good play by Chimalilo and Harry Colville set up Town's first chance on three minutes, but sadly the latter couldn't quite pick out the awaiting Luke Aldrich. Chimalilo continues to impress, and he created something out of nothing to create the opening goal on 17 mins. Picking up the ball in the middle of the park, he surged forward and slid the ball through to Aldrich who finished low through the legs of Mossley keeper Finn Madigan.

Aldrich almost made it two on 28 mins after an excellent challenge by Allerton, but his low shot was straight at Madigan. There followed a couple of chances for the visitors - Mason Fawns shot straight at Wells after the ball was played deep into the box, then an Oumar Camara effort from Obua Mugalula's assist did beat Wells but went just wide. There was a dangerous moment on the stroke of half time when the Lilywhites were awarded a free kick just outside the box, but in the end Isaac Graham's strike was over the crossbar.

Town probably shaded the first half, but the second half swung this way and that as the entertainment levels went up a notch to reward supporters of both sides braving the wet weather. A fantastic save from Wells denied a close range header from Varela's delivery, then Wells denied substitute 'Triallist B' after a well-worked move in from the left.

After absorbing the early pressure, Garforth responded by making it 2-0 on 54 mins. And it was Chimalilo once again; receiving the ball 30 yards out he made a cracking run and fired in a low shot at Madigan's near post.

Three minutes later Mossley grabbed one back when Jack Grundy headed in captain Gee Baltazar's corner kick.

On 75 mins sub Joe Rawcliffe hit over the bar from Steve Jeff's corner, then down the other end there was another good stop from Wells to deny an equalizer, again from 'Triallist B' after a defensive error. Chimalilo then put a low effort just wide after some good play by sub Nash Connolly and Rawcliffe. From a controversial offside decision five minutes before time, the visitors almost grabbed an equaliser. A long punt upfield found 'Triallist A' free in the box but he was brilliantly kept out by Wells and then Rinor Ejupi.

A pleasing win and performance from Paul Marshall's side which made it four pre-season victories from six. After the release of the league fixtures the big kick-off of the season proper is almost upon us, but first we make the short visit to neighbours Glasshoughton on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7:45pm).

Town team: Wells, Ejupi, Jeff, Allerton, O. Marshall, Savage, Davis, Coupland, Aldrich, Colville, Chimalilo. Subs: Connolly, Rawcliffe, Triallist, Zealand.