Neil Reynolds and Peter Smith's men kick-off the season at Shawbridge against Mossley (kick-off 3 p.m.), looking to hit the ground running.

And after 18 months at the helm, having moulded a squad with quality, depth and versatility, Reynolds is hoping to mount a challenge on the top six.

Reynolds is delighted with the way pre-season has gone, ending with a 3-0 win over Premier Division side Buxton on Saturday.

And he can't wait to get his teeth into the real action: "We're a lot further on than we were this time last year. We've had 18 months to put together our squad, and we feel we've ticked the right boxes.

"There are no excuses. This is our squad now, and what will be, will be.
"I think we will be strong, and although you never stop looking, we're happy with this squad, and not wanting to improve it yet.

"We're confident, and hopefully we can get off to a good start."

He feels the future is bright at Clitheroe, and hopes to attract a few new supporters down to Shawbridge in the process: "We would love the town to get behind what we are trying to achieve.

"These are exciting times for the club, with a new team, and we could be in for quite a successful season. I don't think people will be disappointed.

"We are always very well supported, with a big nucleus of fans, but it would be great to get that number up to 300/350, and there's no reason why not."

The Blues have enjoyed four wins in pre-season from six games, with two narrow defeats coming at the hands of Blue Square Premier side Northwich Victoria and UniBond Premier Division title hopefuls Bradford Park Avenue.

Reynolds is only too aware that a good pre-season doesn't necessarily equate to a good start in the league, having failed to win in their first seven games last term, and he joked: "We've been going well – although hopefully not too well!

"But the goals have been flying in, and we kept our first clean sheet on Saturday.

"Everyone wants the points on the board as soon as possible, but there is no pressure.

"It would be nice to get off to a winning start, and build on that, but there will be no-one panicking if we don't, we have every faith in this squad."

However, the win over Buxton has presented the managerial duo with something of a headache, albeit a welcome one, ahead of the Mossley game.

The Blues changed shape, moving to a 3-5-2, and, while that led to a first shut-out of pre-season, it didn't restrict the side's attacking instincts, as the three goals – scored by strikers Danny Toronczak, Carl Lomax and Anthony Johnson attest.

Reynolds admitted: "We were really pleased. We changed our system, with Jonathan Smith returning after missing the Bradford game, alongside Russ Clarke and Ian Flannery.

"We almost stumbled across it, without Dave Hankin, Craig Sargeson, Scott Redhead and Barry Shuttleworth, but it worked really well, and is definitely something we now have in mind."

Hankin will be available for Saturday, after being rested with a hairline fracture of his arm, but Shuttleworth will not be risked with a hamstring problem.

One of the toughest tasks for Reynolds will be naming a final 16, and he said: "If anyone is not involved in the matchday squad, football is a funny game, and there maybe injuries or whatever. Players could miss out, and then be involved on Tuesday.

"We have a strong squad, and we are trying to keep everyone happy, but I want anyone not in the 16 to show a positive response."

Clitheroe follow up their opener on Tuesday night when they travel to face Garforth Town.