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KICKING-OFF
A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Once again it is over a month since our last home game so it will be great to welcome you all back to Ingfield for today’s Pitching In NPL east game with Frickley Athletic, and if the weather forecast is to be believed there will be sunshine at kick-off which will be great as all our recent games feel like they have been played in gale force winds and/or torrential rain!
Over the last coupe of weeks Jas and Wardy have held a number of training sessions and in recent games it has been clear to see their influence on the side, they were rightly disappointed in the performance at Yorkshire Amateur but overall, there has been a positive response on the pitch recently.
The last home game against Sheffield showed the side will battle to the end and the squad depth has been improved with the substitutes making a difference to the side when they have been brought on, and what is better than an injury time winner!
The Media team, as Craig will touch on, continues to evolve, the newest addition is Harrison Carpenter who has taken on the match day social media updates as well as the match report writing. Welcome to the club Harrison.
On the media team, it’s worth commenting that I think we now have one of the best teams in the business and I’m sure all of our fans appreciate the work they do whether that be radio, photography, graphics, social media, website - you really do make a difference guys, thank you.
We’re now coming to the business end of the season and whilst our ambitions for a play-off place look beyond us now, although mathematically it’s still possible, the focus has to be on getting results and making our own impact on where others might finish in the table, as well as getting a solid base to build on for next season. Let’s start by getting some more points on the board today.
I’ll end with a personal reflection on the troubles in Ukraine which certainly put football into perspective. The deliberate targeting of innocent people in Ukraine is beyond comprehension and I am saddened and shocked by the situation that has developed. Like many others I can't stop watching the news and wondering where this will all end. That said, I am humbled and inspired by the brave people of Ukraine fighting for their right to live free and in peace. I also have to respect the people of Russia willing to protest and stand up to their deranged and corrupt government. Like you, I have no idea how this is going to end, but my thoughts are with all of the people of Ukraine and I sincerely hope this damning and worrying situation comes to an end soon.
Enjoy the game!
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The Presidents Address
Neville Wigglesworth
We are now entering pretty much the last lap of the season with just nine of our 36 matches remaining including this afternoon’s encounter with fellow Yorkshire rivals Frickley Athletic. We currently sit comfortably in mid-table having accumulated 37 points so far. In this division it’s usually the case that 40 points guarantees safety so one more win would just about make certain that we maintain our current status next season. After reaching the play-offs in our very first campaign we suffered a couple of indifferent seasons (both of which were declared void because of the Coronavirus pandemic) when to be honest we spent rather more of our time looking over our shoulders at the relegation situation than we did about making the play-offs again.
Today’s visitors Frickley Athletic currently lie 14th in the league table so could realistically regard themselves as being fairly safe from the drop though they will no doubt be looking to pick up more points to make their situation absolutely secure. When these two sides last met at Frickley on a Friday evening in mid-September Ossett went away the victors courtesy of the only goal of the game scored by Reon Potts. The attendance that night was 463 (more than double their season’s average crowd which stands at 213) and this is still by far and away Frickley’s best ‘gate’ of the season to date. Hopefully we’ll come somewhere near that figure this afternoon which would maintain our position of 2nd in the Division One East attendance table with an average of 509 which really is some achievement at this level of the game. Only Stockton Town can better that number with an average ‘gate’ of 608.
Since the last programme Ossett United have won plaudits worthy of mention on a couple of issues. One at Northern Premier League level and the other at National level. At one of the recent Annual Regional NPL gatherings our representative Stuart Garside was asked to elaborate to the meeting on the events which occurred on the day of our home fixture against Pickering Town and more importantly how the Club handled the situation. Our Club’s actions with regard to stewarding procedures and the quick, decisive and effective action taken in handling the situation outlined by Stuart was held up as an example of ‘best practice’ and recommended to all clubs present. The commendation of our actions was duly noted.
Last weekend the Non-League Paper carried a full page article by Talk Sport Radio’s Non-League expert Tony Incenzo. The gist of the piece was how Non-League clubs are tackling the problem of inclusivity and in particular facilities for their disabled supporters. York City were prominently featured but also singled out for commendation for their efforts in this respect were Alton FC, Beaconsfield Town, East Grinstead Town, Hamble Club FC, Nantwich Town, Scarborough Athletic and OSSETT UNITED where the designated covered facility is mentioned along with its proximity to the clubhouse area and snack bar as well as the accessibility of these areas. Wheelchair users may also be pleased to know that access to the disabled toilets in the clubhouse has been improved as we continue with our plans to improve the ‘match day experience’ for everyone.
Today we are holding a collection for the South Ossett Church food bank. All donations will be gratefully received for this most worthy of causes and can be deposited in the office near the main gates. Anybody who has forgotten but would still like to contribute to the Club’s efforts there will be a second collection on the afternoon of March 26th, Non-League Day, when Shildon are the visitors. If we can all donate some items, a lot or a little it doesn’t matter, we can make a real success of this venture. Many thanks.
Neville Wigglesworth – President Ossett United FC
Good afternoon and welcome to players, management and officials from Frickley. I know how hard this club works on and off the pitch with great people - it will be good to see some familiar faces.
It’s good to be back home after a trek up to the North East and a local Derby at Yorkshire Amms. It’s always freezing up North and against Shildon was no different. It’s a case of work hard, be hard to beat and see where it takes you and we did that in abundance. Shildon have won 9, drawn 3 and lost 2 at home this season .They have the 3rd best home record in the league, those stats tell you how good they are at home. I think we surprised Shildon in how we approached the game. We certainly threw bodies forward and looked the most dangerous team creating chances right until the death.
With three games fixtures for the week we rotated the team and left Wally and Vallo out which would’ve raised a few questions in the terraces but we felt we needed to utilise the full squad and approach the game in a different way as well as rewarding the players who have had a good impact on the game in previous weeks from the bench. We have been in a position the last three games prior to Shildon where I would be confident in any of the 14 bodies available to play so it’s important to keep our small squad fresh. Having said that we lost Hoggy who has been brilliant for us, Hoggy saw red on which resulted in a four game suspension, he needs to learn that side of the game quickly and can’t react in the manner he did. Players at this level will look to wind others up and play mind games it’s part and parcel of the game but you simply can’t react to it.
Last week against Yorkshire Amms were were very disappointed in the manner of defeat, it felt like a pre season fixture. We certainly can’t allow the season to just fizzle out. Players need to apply theirselves better, perform more consistently and have that willingness to win right up until the final game. The only positive from the Yorkshire Amms game was to see the skipper back on the pitch, I thought he did well and will be huge to have him back.
Our last home game was entertaining right up until the 97th minute, I felt we deserved all three points in how we performed the second half but the first half display was as bad as it’s been since we came in. I thought if the game against Pickering went on for five more minutes we pinch a goal there and take all three points. We certainly look fitter and more together in recent games.
We have continued to prepare right for todays game even though we didn’t have a fixture last Saturday we have trained hard and played a friendly vs Staveley Miners Welfare. For those who made the trip to Staveley or have seen the highlights you could see particularly in the first half a lot of what we have been working on or how we would like to play. We played with intensity and purpose creating plenty of chance and committing bodies forward. We were really pleased with the fixture and we hope that can be transferred into todays game.
Thank for your continued support, it’s much appreciated and certainly lifts the lads on our own ground.
Enjoy the game.
Jas
A view from the Press Box...
Craig Biddlestone
I was talking to an old school friend recently, he like me over the last few years has caught the “non-league” bug, like me he has been watching Nottingham Forest since he was very small, and like me he has followed them all over the country, and abroad since the mid 1980’s. Now he takes his son all over the country too, though with Carlton Town in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, and this got me thinking.
When I was first introduced to non-league football around 10 years ago I certainly wasn’t in any hurry to return, Ossett Town v Wakefield on a cold and wet early September Saturday in the FA Trophy wasn’t my idea of fun, there was a spattering of supporters and the football certainly left a lot to be desired, my blinkered view of non-league football at that time wrongly remained, that it wasn’t a million miles away from Sunday pub-football.
But, those that know me will know that it’s rare for me to admit I’m wrong, and I was. Fast forward a couple of years and I got involved through my son Luke at Ossett Town Juniors, this lead me to come down to Ingfield again, this time for a pre-season friendly against a Bradford City XI, and was very surprised to see that the ref was non-other than friend of the club and top flight whistle blower Mr Andrew Madley. Now I already knew a few familiar faces from Town Juniors but the game actually wasn’t bad, the banter in Kelly’s Bar after was actually fun, and even though I probably embarrassed myself asking Andy for a picture with Luke and myself I thought, yeah, let’s give this another go.
As I said earlier though, it was a conversation with my old school friend that really got me thinking. When we became Ossett United in 2018 I’m not overly sure anyone actually knew just how much the attendances at Ingfield would increase, yes the vast majority of Town and Albion supporters would come down but thanks to the efforts of the hierarchy we had plenty of publicity for the merger, not just in local press but nationally too, and when we first opened the gates and smashed 500 for our first competitive home game against Cleethorpes Town it was clear to see exactly how interest in Ossett United since the merger had grown.
That first season we averaged 525 per game, and whilst a dip in results and Covid put a hold to that we are back around similar figures this season, but it’s where our new supporters are from that interest me the most, those supporters who didn’t live in Ossett or had no affiliation to Town or Albion, but those who like me and my friend have caught the non-league bug. It’s no secret that we have fans much further afield, and abroad, Peter Ahlen in Sweden and the Scottish Sheepicorns being two such examples (both by the way will be here for our game at home to Shildon on 26th March), but locally we have pulled supporters in from Dewsbury, Wakefield and further, they’ve come to the odd game, they’ve seen what we are about and they’ve become part of the Ossett United family, I’ve even seen over recent months people opt to come to Ingfield over trips to watch Leeds United or Huddersfield Town - that is how much non-league football has grown, and will only continue to grow.
This afternoon is our first home game since our late, late show over Sheffield over 4 weeks ago, and with neither Leeds or Huddersfield in action I suspect we might just get another bumper crowd today against our local rivals from the other side of the Wakefield MDC area, and hopefully the odd new face may come down, enjoy the game and return.
As well as the food bank collection in aid of South Ossett Church we will also be holding a moments applause before kick-off, as part of the football family we would like everyone to join us in showing a support of solidarity for the people of Ukraine.
Today’s half-time playlist has been chosen by a supporter, John Bowker, so thank-you for that John, we will be returning to player choices on Tuesday night, and finally I’d like to offer a warm welcome to all those associated with Frickley Athletic that have made the journey over today, and more importantly, please, enjoy the game!
Craig
OSSETT UNITED
SQUAD LIST
Ossett United Coaching Team:
- Manager: Jas Colliver
- Assistant Manager: Mark Ward
- Coach: Gary Middleton
- Physio: Emily Crispin
- Video Analyst: Jack Sloan
Ossett United Squad:
- Edd HALL (GK)
- Jake TEALE (GK)
- Prince ATTAKORAH
- Brad BEATSON
- Jack COWGILL (C)
- Ellis FARRAR
- Harry GAGEN
- Ross HARDAKER
- Dec McGIVERN
- George GREEN
- Aaron HASWELL
- Luke HOGG
- Josh WALDRAM
- Oli METCALFE
- Mikey WILLIAMS
- Charlie WOOD
- Ify OFOEGBU
- Jordan TURNER
- James WALSHAW
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Frickley Athletic FC
SQUAD LIST
Frickley Athletic FC Squad:
- Brad Wells
- Devonte Morton
- Piteu Crouz
- Kegan Everington
- Tyler Williams
- Joe Stacey
- Michael Hollingsorth
- Leon Mettam
- Gavin Saxby
- Nathan Whitehead
- Joe West
- Aidan Smith
- Arun Jones
- James Matthews
- Josh Chapman
- Josh Scott
- Nathan Perks
- Nyle Blake
- Rio Molyneaux
- Rod Orlando Young
- Tyreece Robinson
Frickley Athletic FC Squad:
Knowing that some of our visitors for these 2019/20 pre season friendlies may not have visited us before, I thought it might be useful to include our history too.
Frickley Athletic FC is based in the former coal mining village of South Elmsall. Recent research has shown that the first South Elmsall football team was formed in 1905 but was superseded in 1908 by the newly formed Frickley Colliery Athletic Club and joined the South Yorkshire league which comprised of works, church and village teams. In 1910, the football club moved to the Sheffield Association League and first played in the FA (English) Cup.
The club remained in the Sheffield Association League (except for the war years) until 1922, finishing runners up in 1911/12, and winners in 1920/21, our only league titile ever.
In 1922/23 Frickley joined the Yorkshire league and after finishing runners up in 1923/24, the club were elected into the Midland League, Although the Club had to apply for re election several times pre war (and didn’t play in any league in 1933/34) it was kept going by the support of the mineworkers and the sale of players.
1936/37 was Frickley’s worst ever league season when the club finished bottom with only 8 points, but amazingly reached the FA Cup 1st round proper for the first time.
Post war, Frickley remained in the Midland league gaining its best finish, 7th, in 1945/46, but left the league on its break up at the end of 1959/60.
From 1960/61 to 1969/70, Frickley Colliery played in the Cheshire County League, However, financial considerations led the club to join the Midland Counties League for 1970/71. They finished runners up in 1972/73, and were eventually elected into the NPL for the 1976/77 season as Frickley Athletic.
After finishing 3rd in the League in 1979/80, the club was promoted into the Alliance Premier League, now the National League. Here they remained for 7 years, the most successful in the clubs history, and in 1985/86 reached the FA Cup 3rd round proper, after beating a Football League club, Hartlepool Utd, only to lose 3-1 at home to Rotherham Utd. The club also finished as Gola league runners up.
The following season saw a reversal as we were relegated back into the NPL.
From 1987/88 to 1991/92 the club consistently finished around mid-table in the NPL. but did manage to reach the league cup final in 1991/92, losing 1-0 to Marine at Maine Road.
The next few seasons saw Frickley finish in the lower reaches of the table. Then, in 2005/06 the Blues enjoyed their most successful league season for 20 years as they finished runners up to Blyth Spartans. Unfortunately though, the Blues were defeated on penalties in the play off semi.
In the following seasons Frickley returned to finishing in the lower half of the table, but 2015/16 saw the club have an excellent season to finish in 7th place.
This was not repeated in 2016/17 as most of the players who had brought this success were attracted to join other, more affluent clubs. The club were relegated from the NPL Premier division after being members for 30 years.
2017/18 saw the club enter the NPL Division 1 South, finishing 3rd in the league scoring record 117. Additionally, Jacob Hazel broke the Club record for individual goals in a season with 47 strikes. The season ended disappointingly with playoff semi final defeat at the hands of Stamford.
2018/19, in the new NPL East Division, was less successful one, seeing managerial changes and a 12th place finish. However, the season was not without highlights, with victory at eventual champions, Morpeth and a mighty 10-1 win against Liversedge in the FA Cup.
More change followed prior to the start of 2019/20. A further league reorganisation which put the Blues into the NPL South East Division was accompanied by a new manager. An inauspicious start lead to the appointment of Dave Frecklington in September 2019.
Frecks is yet to complete a season, thanks to Covid, but he will be looking to make a push for the top half of the league and promotion back to the NPL Premier Division from the newly formed NPL East Division in 2021/22.
Today's officials
Match Referee: William Davies
'I started Refereeing at the age of 16 after badly fracturing my ankle playing for Sheffield School boys. I continued this alongside playing initially before starting to take officiating more seriously.
Now I officiate on the Northern Premier League & also assist on the National League Premier. I do this alongside my day job as a Physiotherapist where I worked on intensive care throughout the pandemic before setting up my own Business in 2021.
Favourite Ground I’ve visited this season is a tough question but I’d probably have to go for Wrexham or Notts County!'
Today's Assistants: Joshua Bramall & Charles King.
Book Review: The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism by John Barnes
Growing up in the nineties and coming to football in the new millennium, I had the impression – naively – that racism in the beautiful game was a thing of the past, that it was consigned to an era of hooligans and hostility and would nary tarnish the sport again. How wrong, how ignorant, I was. Two decades into that new millennium and football – and society – is still marred by disgusting instances of racism. Who can forget the way three of England’s heroes of summer 2021 were racially vilified after defeat to Italy on penalties in the Euros? When the vitriol spewed out, for many it was shocking; but, sadly, for many others, there was also a degree of inevitability. The real questions over age, experience and game time which should have been central to the analysis of that penalty defeat, as well as a celebration of England’s best tournament since 1966 which should have rounded off the Euros, were lost to racist abuse and discrimination that proved just how endemic racism is in society and, consequently, football. It has never gone away, as John Barnes points out in his book The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism as he spotlights these uncomfortable truths and debunks myths about progress and equality.
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Match Report: Yorkshire Amateurs 2-0 OUFC
Before kick-off, there was literally nothing to separate these two teams. Both teams were on the same number of points, but unfortunately, that was where the similarities ended, as Ossett were beaten 2-0 at Southerns Stadium in Bracken Edge.
Not much happened in the early minutes of the first half for both teams, with only a few half chances going either way. Hearts were in mouths, as the home team got what they thought to be the first goal early in the first half, however the linesman’s flag on the far side kept the scores level for the time being. The best Ossett chance of the half came on the end of a defensive error in the 32nd minute. The defender got caught in possession, which set up James Walshaw for a one-on-one opportunity, but his shot was saved by Max Culverwell in the Ammers goal.
However, only three minutes later, it was the home team who would strike the first blow. A corner swung in from Marko Basic was met in the air by the head of Nathan Cartman. 35 minutes gone, 1-0 Ammers.
In an uneventful game for Ossett, the last few minutes of the first half presented the best chances to score. In added time of the first half, James Walshaw was caught by a late tackle by T’Nique Fishley and was shown the first booking of the game, which resulting free kick forced another save out of Culverwell in the home goal after a close effort from Mikey Williams. Another booking was shown to the home team in quick succession not long after to Casey Stewart, and the free kick from that challenge was almost pounced upon by Ossett. It was that man, Mikey Williams, with a brilliant delivery once again finding the head of James Walshaw, which forced another save from Culverwell to tip the ball over.
The halftime whistle blew, with the Ossett faithful who travelled wondering what Jas Colliver was saying to his players to help them get back into this game. Like the home side in the first half, Ossett had a huge chance disallowed, with a ball going over the top finding Walshaw, but the flag went up as he rounded the keeper to put the ball in the net. Another brilliant set piece delivery from a Mikey Williams corner was put into the box, which deserved a goal but unfortunately no one could get on the end of it.
Ed Hall was forced into making a spectacular acrobatic save from a dangerous Ammers attack. The ball was cut back to a venomous shot, which Hall reacted to almost cat-like. Two substitutions in the space of a few minutes followed for Ossett, with Mikey Williams being replaced by Jack Cowgill, and James Walshaw being replaced by Ify Ofoegbu.
However, following these two changes, the home side extended their lead through former Ossett man Adam Priestley. He picked the ball on the halfway line, ran through three players and put the ball in the bottom corner. Late in the second half, Ossett’s third and final change saw Charlie Wood replace Aaron Haswell. The last chance Ossett had came from a ball played in behind from Jordan Turner, which was met by Ify Ofoegbu, who’s shot was saved by the keeper.
The fulltime whistle blew, and on reflection, both sides weren’t at their best but it was the home team who took their chances in the end.
Ossett United’s next league fixture is on Saturday 12th March at home against Frickley, 3pm kickoff. However, they do have a friendly match, visiting Staveley on Wednesday evening, 7:45pm kickoff.
Yorkshire Amateur: 1 Max Culverwell, 2 Stephen Smith, 3 Leon Henry, 4 Luke Sharry, 5 T’nique Fishley (Y), 6 James Beaston, 7 Adam Priestley (Junaid Casius-Gill 82’), 8 Luke Dean, 9 Nathan Cartman (Roy Fogarty, 79’), 10 Marko Basic, 11 Casey Stewart (Y)
Subs: 12 Junaid Casius-Gill, 14 Ben Gordon, 15 Ryan Serrant, 16 Connor Bell, 17 Roy Fogarty.
Ossett United: 1, Ed Hall, 2 Harry Gagen, 3 Ross Hardaker, 4 Mikey Williams (Jack Cowgill 61’), 5 Declan McGivern, 6 Brad Beatson, 7 Oli Metcalfe, 8 Aaron Haswell (Charlie Wood, 76’), 9 James Walshaw (Ify Ofoegbu, 70’), 10 Josh Waldram (Y), 11 Jordan Turner
Subs: 12 Jack Cowgill, 13 Jake Teale, 14 Ellis Farrar, 15 Charlie Wood, 16 Ify Ofoegbu
Northern Premier League- East Division
Attendance: 150
Match Report: Shildon 0-0 OUFC
Twelve points separated the two sides in the Pitching In NPL East league table before kick-off but there was very little to separate the two sides over 90 minutes at Dean Street in a game where the very blustery conditions spoiled the game.
Shildon created the first opportunity of a game that would have very few as they broke the Ossett United off side trap, a run down the right saw a cross pick out Billy Greulich-Smith some eight yards from goal, an excellent diving header only bettered by an even better save by Edd Hall, captain for the day with Jack Cowgill injured and James Walshaw taking his place on the bench, alongside Nathan Valentine who were replaced in the starting line up by Ofoegbu and Williams.
It was Williams who went close for Ossett with a strike from distance that drifted wide, Jordan Turner closing in hoping to pick up on any potential deflection or re-bound.
George Green won a tackle in midfield, a firm but fair challenge that was not liked by the home side who looked to take the law into their own hands as the ball ran free Ben Trotter lunged at Luke Hogg with a high challenge that saw him cautioned, the Ossett players unhappy with the challenge.
Not long after Trotter was fortunate to not collect a second yellow card as he again caught Hogg late leaving him needing treatment for the second time in a short space of time. Ossett United carved out the best chance of the game as good play from Green found Ofoegbu who was too strong for the defender, the hero from Tuesday night was unable to add to his goal tally as the was unable to fully wrap his foot round the bouncing ball, he strike going wide of the far post.
Half time came and saw a substitution for the home side as Trotter was replaced by Dominic Curl.
Ossett started the half quickly, Turner taking advantage of the indecisive Shildon defence as he took control of a bouncing ball, his left footed shot struck well but deflected wide by the feet of Newbrook in the home goal.
Colliver made his first change as Walshaw replaced Ofoegbu after 57 minutes and was quickly into the action causing problems for the Shildon defence. A ball flicked on saw Green fouled giving Ossett a dangerous free-kick. Whipped in by Williams it was inches away from Green who was looking to flick the ball past the keeper.
Williams was replaced by Valentine and a few minutes later Charlie Wood took the place of Green.
Shildon were on top with twenty minutes remaining, Hall pulling off two good saves before a free-kick was sent into the Ossett box, the free ball fired well over the goal. Off the ball, Dean Thexton, only in the pitch for two minutes as a 68thminute substitute threw an elbow into the face of Luke Hogg who retaliated by raising his hands and pushing Thexton away. The referee, Sam Packer adjudging a red card to both players the appropriate punishment.
As the minutes ticked down it was Ossett pressing for the winner, Charlie Wood saw a firm drive saved and Walshaw had the ball in the net only for a linesman’s flag ruling it offside.
The full time blew not long after both sides wanting more than the one point earned, but on balance, in difficult conditions where both defences were on top a draw looked like a fair result.
Ossett United are next in action, at home to Lincoln United on Saturday 19 February, 3pm.
Shildon: 1. Shaun Newbrook, 2. Aidan Heywood, 3. Kurt Matthews, 4. David Atkinson, 5. Alex White, 6. Jack Vaulks, 7. Ben Trotter (12. Dom Curl), 8. Chay Liddle, 9. Billy Greulich-Smith (14. Joe Posthill), 10. Michael Sweet, 11. Sam Barker (17. Dean Thexton) | 15. Will McCamley), 16. Daniel Craggs.
Ossett United: 1. Edd Hall (c), 2. Harry Gagen, 3. Ross Hardaker, 4. Luke Hogg, 5. Dec McGivern, 6. Brad Beatson, 7. George Green (15. Charlie Wood), 8. Mikey Williams (14. Nathan Valentine), 9. Jordan Turner, 10. Aaron Haswell, 11. Ify Ofoegbu (12. James Walshaw) | 13. Jake Teale.
OUFC MoM: Brad Beatson
Attendance 262
Match Report: OUFC 3-2 Sheffield
Report by Rob Carroll
‘A warm welcome to our friends from Derbyshire!’
Craig was on good form on the tannoy before the game. That bit of friendly banter was aimed at our visitors, Sheffield FC, who sit displaced in Dronfield outside the city and county boundaries.
There’s something special about Tuesday nights under the lights and Ingfield looked amazing ahead of the visit of ‘The World’s First’. Those recently installed brand new floodlights would make it possible for this 50 something to pick out players down the distant Bonfire End. The new dugouts and the perimeter fencing too. From my perch in the superb Supporters’ Club Can Bar before the game, Ingfield was a sight to behold and a credit to all those volunteers who put in the graft for their club.
Ossett United lined up with Edd Hall between the sticks, Harry Gagen and Ross Hardaker at full-back, and Dec McGivern and Brad Beatson the central defence. A very busy and attack minded midfield of Luke Hogg, George Green, Nathan Valentine, Aaron Haswell and Jordan Turner aided and abetted Blues skipper James Walshaw, leading the line with his usual physical presence.
It was Sheffield Club who came quickest out of the traps, winning a corner on 3 minutes. With 7 minutes on the clock United were dispossessed and the resulting cross from the left found Kianga. His shot from inside the box beat Hall but not Harry Gagen, who pulled off a stunning goal-line header to clear the danger.
What followed was a lot of pressure and possession from the hosts, but for all the industry in the Ossett midfield clear-cut chances were few and far between.
Meanwhile Sheffield looked the most dangerous, particularly on the break. Before the half hour a great run from Kianga and a cross plonked straight onto Modest’s head should have broken the deadlock.
Whilst Modest missed the target that time, a minute later he made no mistake of his next chance, slotting the ball home inside Hall’s right-hand post. A derserved 1-0 to the visitors.
On 35 minutes Luke Hogg stormed into the Sheffield box and was brought down. The ref blew for a free-kick. Was it inside? Was it outside? It was difficult to see from my standpoint. The resulting free-kick was blasted over the bar.
There was more action from Sheffield before the break, a carbon copy of the move that led to the goal this time blocked by Ossett’s defensive bodies in the way.
Kianga was then booked for a retaliatory lunging challenge, although he seemed to win the ball cleanly.
Watching the people get lairy
Is not very pleasant I tell thee
Craig was now playing media man Chris’s musical choice at half-time. I predict a riot? The Ossett ultras gathered behind the Bus Station End goal, but the banter and chants were good humoured and louder as the game wore on. The right kind of support, lads.
It all kicked off on the pitch for a much more entertaining second half. On 48 minutes a long ball into the box allowed Walshaw to cause uncertainty amidst the Sheffield defence. The ball broke free to Aaron Haswell, who stuck it in the top corner. 1-1. After conceding so many goals just before or after half-time lately, how great for one to go our way! Time to build on the equaliser now and push on to victory!
Alas, three minutes later there was a game of ping pong going on in the United box, Luke Rawson reinstating the lead for the visitors. 1-2. Having just clawed their way back into the game, Ossett would have to show mettle now to pick themselves up again.
And they did just that. On 56 minutes Ross Hardaker delivered a cross into the box from the left, Haswell flicked on and Jordan Turner flicked home another equaliser. 2-2.
Nathan Valentine made way for new Ossett signing Mikey ‘Thor’ Williams and Ify Ofoegbu replaced Turner. In what had been a frantic battle in midfield at times, Thor’s introduction to the Ossett faithful was to chest the ball down before slotting a precision ball forwards to the feet of a teammate. He would continue in commanding fashion for the rest of the game.
Mikey 'Thor' Williams
George Green picked up a yellow and was soon replaced by Charlie Wood. For the remainder of the game it was all Ossett, Walshaw causing increasing problems in the box and the attacking midfield gaining the upper hand against sometimes desperate Sheffield defending.
On 87 minutes a Haswell cross was flicked agonisingly wide by Walshaw. In extra time a Haswell shot from outside the box flew equally agonisingly wide. A fine run down the middle from Ofoegbu culminated in a shot deflected over by the Sheffield keeper.
As the extra minutes ticked on it was melee after melee in the Sheffield box, Walshaw and his men causing havoc. At last one of the loose balls from a Thor Williams corner fell for Ofoegbu, who thundered the ball cleanly into the net to bag the winner for Ossett and to blow Ingfield’s roof off.
You have to feel for Sheffield, who are under the cosh at the wrong end of the table. They played much better than their league position, looking dangerous in attack, taking their chances and defending doggedly.
But rescuing the game twice, then nicking the winner with the last kick of the game! The players and the fans went wild. It doesn’t get better than this feeling, does it?!
Ossett United: 1. Edd Hall, 2. Harry Gagen, 3. Ross Hardaker, 4. Luke Hogg, 5. Dec McGivern, 6. Brad Beatson, 7. George Green (16. Charlie Wood), 8. Nathan Valentine (12. Mikey Williams), 9. James Walshaw (c), 10. Aaron Haswell (Goal 48), 11. Jordan Turner (Goal 56) (15. Ify Ofoegbu (Goal 90)), | 14. Tom Deighton, GK. Jake Teale.
Sheffield: 1. Ryan Musselwhite, 2. Ben Turner, 3. Rory Coleman, 4. Jack Birks, 5. Leigh Whelan (12. Jamie Robinson), 6. Damien Magee, 7. Nathan Modest (Goal 30) (17. Vinny Mukendi), 8. James Baxendale, 9. Marc Newsham (15. Scott Ruthven) 10. Luke Rawson (Goal 51), 11. Manasse Kianga | 14. Sam Ackroyd, 16. Jamie Yates.
Attendance: 395
OUFC Man of the Match: Harry Gagen
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Credits:
JonHuntPhotography Keith Wood