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KICKING-OFF
A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Hello and welcome to Ingfield for today’s game with Pickering Town.
Once again, we have taken advantage of the near month gap between home games to continue to upgrade the facilities here at Ingfield with the installation of LED floodlights that will make a huge difference when compared to the old ones that have been replaced - the photographers at the club are particularly pleased to get decent light for a change!
Since their appointment, and particularly over recent weeks, Jas Colliver and Mark Ward have been working tirelessly to put their stamp on the squad. Something that is never easy when taking over mid-season. We have already seen the impact of Charlie Wood and Ify Ofoegbu who will only improve as they work with the players already here in training and games. On top of that Ed Hall has been recruited and will replace Mat Zaniewski who has moved on. Ed is a player who is very highly rated and the disappointment at losing him was evident to see from the Stocksbridge supporters on social media. Jordan Turner has also been brought in this week and has been training with the squad.
We all have to recognise that it’s a difficult stage of the season to bring in new players. The quality of players we aspire to bring into the club are often at clubs who are performing well with the potential of winning things so whilst interested in joining us at some time, now is not necessarily the right time for them to commit to joining us. Jas and Wardy are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to bring new players in of the calibre needed and we just need to be patient as they do their work. Importantly, let's not forget that we already have a talented squad in place so the additions made, along with the additional training sessions that have taken place will only strengthen the team as we look to finish as high in the table as possible this season.
We have three big home games this month, as well as a trip to Shildon. I am very confident everyone will be feeling a lot more positive when looking at the results as we move into March!
Thank you for your support and enjoy today’s game.
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The Presidents Address
Neville Wigglesworth
This afternoon we welcome Pickering Town to Ingfield as we get back to business after a two week lay-off where we have been forced to sit and lick our wounds following a couple of results which we neither anticipated nor wanted. It’s now up to the team to put the embarrassment of those defeats at the hands of Cleethorpes Town and Liversedge behind them and hopefully push on for the remainder of the season.
I’m not convinced the play-offs are now within our reach though you never know but there is still plenty to play for and we owe it to our supporters to finish the campaign with as strong a showing as possible. As I’ve said many times in these notes we need people through the gate in order to furnish our ambitions off the field of play as well as on it. Because we are currently averaging attendances of 526 (second only in our division to Stockton Town who average 593) we are currently in the midst of a number of ground improvements which, so far, include new dugouts, a new pitch perimeter barrier and in use today for the first time brand new state of the art floodlights.
There are also plans in the pipeline for other ground development projects in the not-too-distant future. Of course such improvements have to be financed and only by attracting numbers through the turnstiles can we achieve our aims and ambitions. So long as the team are playing attractive football and winning football matches I’m sure the fans will continue to turn up in numbers and we will continue to improve our facilities and further develop our ground so hopefully we will get back on the right track this afternoon. If ‘gates’ were to diminish significantly there would inevitably be consequences so keeping our support on board is vitally important to our Club’s ambitions.
The earlier meeting of these two teams was at Pickering on November 6 2021 where Ossett ran out winners by two goals to nil though it has to be said we didn’t have it all our own way on that occasion and the outcome could easily have been very different had Pickering converted their chances early on. As things stand right now we have six opportunities to complete league “doubles” over teams in our division starting with Pickering this afternoon. The other possibilities incidentally are against Hebburn Town, Stockton Town, Frickley Athletic, Yorkshire Amateur and Tadcaster Albion.
Pickering aren’t having the best of times right now and come here this afternoon occupying bottom place in the NPL Division One East with 15 points from their 24 matches. With relegation currently staring them in the face they have a lot to play for and, no doubt, will provide us with a stern test of our resolve.
During this enforced break in our league programme there has been some talk by Ossett United supporters (Gary Widdop in particular) which hopefully we will take on board. Firstly it has been suggested that we arrange a collection for the South Ossett Church food bank possibly sometime in March. As Craig Biddlestone through his match day announcements keeps reminding us “We are a Community Club”. I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment but it shouldn’t just be a label we simply attach to our Club to which we then merely pay lip service. I will ask for support for Gary’s suggestion and if it is forthcoming announce some details in next Tuesday’s programme.
To be fair we genuinely do our bit on the charity front. Ossett United make regular donations to the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity Children with Cancer. Collection boxes for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Cardiac Risk in the Young are prominently displayed in the main clubhouse and in the can bar. Please make the odd donation here and there if and when you can. We also support the Royal British Legion whenever the opportunity arises.
Another topic of conversation over our ‘Winter break’ was the playing of matches on Friday nights. These experiments have been undoubtedly financially successful with two of the occasions topping a highly impressive attendance figure in excess of 1,000. On the flip-side, however, the general feeling is that football at our level should be played on a Saturday afternoon and I believe the general consensus within the Club is that that is the case I am pleased to report.
Neville Wigglesworth – President Ossett United FC
Good afternoon and welcome to everyone from Pickering Town Football Club.
Firstly it's great to be back at home for two games in quick succession, two games that are going to be tough and ones we won't be taking for granted. The last two weeks have given us an opportunity to work with the players' fitness levels and hit home our expectations as a management team. The lads have bought into our training sessions and I'm confident we can transfer this into games moving forward.
We have made some changes to the squad over the last couple of weeks and worked hard to condition the lads we have already. Edd Hall has signed in from Stocksbridge Park Steels and Jordan Turner from Maltby Main. These two players will add much needed experience at this level, two lads who will give 100% and hate losing football matches. We are still waiting on 7 day approaches to clear for players we have in the pipeline, on the flip side of that, several players have opted to stay where they are and see the season through with their current clubs which we have to respect and move on. We feel we are in a stronger position now than we were when we walked into the club with healthy competition for places and more strength in depth.
As I said in my post match interview Vs Liversedge, players won't play for us or this club whilst we are here if they don't give 100% effort every time they pull on the Ossett United shirt, we want a team who are industrious and willing to fight for every point as a given, so after saying that changes needed to happen. I can accept bad individual performances from time to time as it happens but players consistently playing poorly or going off the game plan will be out of the door.
This is very much work in progress but exciting times, we are focussed and working very hard and close with the board members to improve all aspects of the football club.
Thanks for your continued support and enjoy the game.
Jas
A view from the Press Box...
Craig Biddlestone
I’m not a fan of football free Saturday’s, call me old school but football should be played at 3pm on a Saturday. We’re in February now and it seems bizarre that we haven’t played a game on a Saturday since January 15th, and at home since January 8th.
I get that at our level games get called off due to the weather but it’s not like we’ve had a month of heavy rain, snow and freezing temperatures and I also get the fact that playing local derbies on Friday nights is now important for clubs finances due to the massive increase in crowds (as witnessed by ourselves, Frickley and Liversedge this season) but if those games aren’t played at 3pm on a Saturday then hopefully we keep these Friday night games to just local opposition, I for one don’t like trips to the North East on a Tuesday night, let alone a Friday.
But, for most clubs at non-league levels they will always be competing for supporters with the big clubs, it’s common knowledge here at Ossett United that if Leeds United or Huddersfield Town are at home we do see a slight drop in numbers, however, to see that we are back above a 500 average crowd for this season is testament to the dedication and belief of our fans, and believe you me it makes me feel a lot more positive reading out a crowd of 500+ than back in the Ossett Town days where if memory serves me I once announced a crowd of around 70 for a County Cup game one night at home to Goole - it was a very cold, wet and miserable night!
The lack of Saturday action though has meant I have been able pop down the M1 a little more often recently to watch my beloved Nottingham Forest, most recently against Barnsley (although this was a Tuesday night game) and “Wayne Rooney’s Derby County”*) this game however was a 12:30pm kick-off to accommodate the Sky camera’s, the same Sky that clearly don’t think about the fans as we have now had Bournemouth away moved to a Friday night and even more bizarrely Fulham away at 8pm on a Saturday night, and for both games it is impossible for supporters to get trains back home, even our FA Cup win at home to “Keith Wood’s Arsenal”* and our next tie at home to “Ken Herts’ Leicester City”* are being played on Sunday evenings, so it’s not just Sky but BBC and ITV also - so maybe missing two or three weeks of Ossett United 3pm Saturday games isn’t such a bad thing?
(* Disclaimer - I hate this “Frank Lampard’s Everton” thing that Sky seem to have invented, we’re not called “Jas Colliver’s Ossett United, just Ossett United - in all cases the club is bigger than the manager).
Finally, back to today and we welcome Pickering Town to The World Famous Ingfield, I’m especially looking forward to welcoming back Leigh Overton, an outstanding goalkeeper during his days at Ossett Town and briefly here at Ossett United, and although Leigh is injured at present it’s always nice to see old faces.
I’m taking a break from players’ half-time songs until the transfer merry-go-round has slowed down, so for today’s game Ossett United Radio’s Chris Cassidy has picked the songs.
Please enjoy the game, don’t use foul and abusive language, get behind Jas and the boys and COME ON YOU BLUES.
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:
- Ed HALL (GK)
- Jake TEALE (GK)
- Ross HARDAKER
- Harry GAGEN
- Prince ATTAKORAH
- Jack COWGILL (C)
- Brad BEATSON
- Dec McGIVERN
- Aaron HASWELL
- Marcel CHIPAMAUNGA
- Luke HOGG
- Nathan VALENTINE
- George GREEN
- Louis BECKETT
- Charlie WOOD
- James WALSHAW
- Ify OFOEGBU
- Josh MACIVER
- Jordan TURNER
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SQUAD LIST
Book Review: Can We Not Knock It?: A Celebration of '90s Football by Chris Lambert and Chris Scull
The ‘90s was a decade that changed the course of football in England for ever, with the most significant change that being the creation of the Premier League in 1992. Suddenly there was wall-to-wall television coverage and for the elite few, a game awash with money. This whole new ball game saw the drinking culture of the English players on the way out as continental diets and fitness regimes came in with the players and coaches from abroad.
On the international scene after the highs of Italia’90 for England and Gazza mania, which saw Sir Booby Robson step down as manager, Graham Taylor was given the task of guiding the Three Lions through qualification to the 1994 World Cup in USA. The campaign was to come to define the late Taylor’s England career, as his side finished third in the group and missed the trip across the Atlantic in the summer of ’94. To add insult to injury Channel 4 commissioned a documentary titled An Impossible Job, which followed the England squad and coaching staff during their 10 group fixtures. The programme aired in January 1994 and showed warts and all, the pressure, intense stress and scrutiny Taylor had to endure. It gave rise to many quotes, including the one used for the title of this book, Can We Not Knock It? as Taylor cut a frustrated figure during the qualifier in Poland as the Three Lions limped to a 1-1 draw.
This book by Chris Lambert and Chris Scull though is not a serious analysis of the seismic changes that the Premier League brought to the English game or indeed the failures of the England squad during the decade, but instead as the book’s sub-title states, is A Celebration of '90s Football.
It is a book that delivers a nostalgic look at the more quirky and unusual side of the decade, told in a cheeky lads-mag tone that undoubtedly will bring a smile to readers faces. Amongst the more unusual topics are articles dedicated to Andy Cole’s Music Career (who knew?), Alan Cork’s Beard and Wotsits Whooshers. For those that remember the period, there are tales of the most famous faces such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Eric Cantona, Jack Charlton, Kevin Keegan, Vinny Jones and the like, whilst there were also stories new to this reader such as The Britpop Footballer (incidentally, Paul McGregor) and Every Loser Wins: Barbados v Grenada (honesty you couldn’t make it up!).
The book though has its serious moments for example, as readers discover the reason behind Dennis Bergkamp’s refusal to fly - a flight in 1989 which killed 15 Dutch players on their way to play a friendly, which Bergkamp would have been on but for his club not allowing him to be released for international duty.
Overall though this is a lighter look at a decade that saw the English game change forever and is indeed a celebration of a time when the game was a little more rough around the edges, but no less fun.
(Publisher: Conker Editions Ltd. October 2021. Paperback: 176 pages)
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Match Report: Cleethorpes 7 - 1 OUFC
It had been a while. The last time I went to Cleethorpes would have been on the ‘club trip’. Most of you of a certain age probably know what I’m on about here. It would have been the early 1980s. We’d board the char-a-banc parked outside the Working Men’s Club, the mams and dads would take their seats at the back, the kids at the front with pop, crisps and a bag of spice (sweeties, not drugs!). An hour or so later you were at the seaside. It could be Cleethorpes, it could be Skeggy, or could be Brid.
It’s a curious place. Two towns merging into one, Grimsby with its fishing industry heritage and Cleethorpes with its vast sands, pier and slot machines. For Ossett United Cleethorpes Town is a significant part of our history. They were the opponents for our first ever home league game back in August 2018. Cleethorpes have come a long way since that 4-0 defeat at Ingfield. Sitting comfortably in the play-offs, United would need three points to revitalise our own challenge. It wouldn’t be easy to knock them off their perch though, as Cleethorpes are bang in form, having bashed Taddy away at their plaice (sorry, something fishing going on here) the week before.
With players returning to the squad there were changes in the Ossett United line-up. With Harry Gagen missing at full-back, the returning Luke Hogg filled that unaccustomed hole. Ross Hardaker took up his usual left-back position, with Dec McGivern and Brad Beatson in the centre of defence, Jack Cowgill ruled out with a late knock. Louis Beckett, Charlie Wood, Ify Ofoegbu and the returning Nathan Valentine completed the midfield, leaving Aaron Haswell and James Walshaw to harass the Cleethorpes defence.
It was to be Cleethorpes doing most of the harassing, winning their first corner on 5 minutes. As the game really got going, Robertson ran through the middle, combining with Scott Vernon. Whilst Zaniewski comfortably saved between the Ossett sticks, this was a sign of things to come, with the home side mounting attack after crisp attack.
Ross Hardaker was meanwhile struggling with a knock and another enforced defensive change was necessary. Prince Attakorah replaced Hardaker, meaning the visitors now lined up without three of the usual back four, plus a midfielder playing out of position at right back.
On 19 minutes the in-form Vernon turned in the box and slotted the ball home for Cleethorpes. 1-0. For the next quarter of an hour the Owls continued to look dangerous in attack, with more chances going astray from Robertson and Vernon. Even from my biased viewpoint, it really should have been more.
Then on 35 minutes the Ossett travelling faithful, impressive again in their numbers, erupted with joy. Attakorah found Haswell who unleashed a ferocious shot from left. A slightly undeserved 1-1 but we’ll take it! At this point I carped on to a Cleethorpes fan that, “It just shows you’ve got to take your chances!” I would end up regretting those words.
Instead of being the turning point Haswell’s stunner was a red herring. Two minutes later Cleethorpes moved down the right and Vernon slotted home his and Cleethorpes’ second goal. 2-1.
It was fully deserved for the home side, with United struggling to contain the rampant hosts. It got worse for Ossett on the stroke of half time, Cooke leaping like a salmon to head home from a corner. It would be 3-1 to Cleethorpes at the interval.
There wasn’t much to report for the first twenty minutes of the second half, with neither side really threatening. As Ossett legs tired Luke Lofts came more and more into the game on the Cleethorpes left wing, combining well with left back Topliss. With 66 minutes on the clock Lofts cut into the box from the left and delivered an inviting low cross. Vernon was at the end of Lofts’ line, converting gratefully at the far post. 4-1 and Vernon’s second hat-trick in two games!
There were no chances going astray now, with the home side trawling forward, netting their catch at every opportunity. On 74 minutes a lost ball in midfield was quickly switched to Robertson. On his own and rampaging towards the Ossett goal, he composed himself and made it 5-1.
United striker, James Walshaw, who had received a yellow card for a rustic challenge, was replaced by young sprat and Ossett starlet Georgiou-Nicola.
That slippery eel on the Cleethorpes left, Luke Lofts, was tearing the United defence to shreds by this point. It was his turn next to try to get onto the scoresheet, though Zaniewski saved well to turn his shot over the bar.
The next foray down the left saw substitute McMenemy convert another inviting cross to make it 6-1 to the home side in the final minute. Into injury time a shot from the other Cleethorpes sub, Snelgrove, was deflected over Zaniewski into the Ossett net for number seven.
As the final whistle blew the Ossett faithful breathed a collected sigh of relief. Thank cod it’s over! As far as day trips to the seaside go, this one was a bit pollocks! We had been gutted, boned, filleted and battered in Fishtown.
7 (SEVEN on the vidiprinter) is one hell of a catch for the seasiders. Cleethorpes dominated this game, there’s no question. Although the Ossett side was a little patched up, it’s disappointing that we were outfought as well as outplayed. A big response is required at Liversedge!
Match Report: Liversedge 6 - 0 OUFC
Ossett United travelled to league leaders Liversedge hoping to bounce back from the humbling at Cleethorpes Town six days earlier but got off to the worst possible start as Liversedge took the lead as early as the fourth minute. A left wing cross headed home by Joe Walton.
Jas Colliver had to make changes to the side with Ross Hardaker failing a late fitness test he signed Jude Adebayo on the day of the game and he went straight into the starting line up in the number three shirt, Attakorah also came into the side at right back meaning Luke Hogg could return to his natural midfield position, Charlie Wood was the player do drop to the bench.
Ossett United grew into the game as the half wore on, Nathan Valentine impressing in midfield, James Walshaw doing his best to hold onto the ball and feed it into Ofoebgu, Haswell and Beckett.
Ofoegbu looked to break through on a couple of occasions but was halted by solid defending, the one effort he managed to get away edged wide of the post.
Liversedge however looked dangerous on every attack, Walton went close with a header from a corner while Nicky Walker couldn’t find the space to get his effort away. Brad Beatson went close for United firing wide before at the other end Zaniewski saved from Smythe.
As the half came to a close Liversedge increased the pressure on United, Atkinson saw a shot deflected, the resulting corner was headed wide by Harris. Allott missed from a Walker cross before Walton misseda glorious chance after Zaniewski saved an initial free-kick.
Liversedge fans were soon celebrating though as Ossett United once again conceded in time added on at the end of a half. Gavin Allott with the goal.
Once again the Ossett United half time team talk having to change at the last minute. Liversedge were good value for the two goal lead, but half that deficit the Ossett United management team will have been confident they could have got back into the game.
As it was it wasn’t to be the curse of injuries continued to haunt Ossett United as first Charlie Wood replaced Nathan Valentine before Dec McGivern was forced off the field to have treatment, with United down to ten me Nicky Walker took advantage to make it three and a fourth followed soon after from Jack Hardacre.
McGivern was replaced by George Green leaving Ossett with two recognised defenders on the field, left back Adebayo moved to centre half with George Green taking his place on the field at left back.
It was a case of damaged limitations but while Ossett looked to get a consolation goal Liversedge were able to take advantage and added further goals from Atkinson and Whitham.
With new management comes transition and Ossett United are in the middle of that, taking seven points from the last 18 available. There is now a two week break before the next fixture. Colliver and Ward will be hard at work over the next 14 days
Liversedge 1. Max Dearnley, 2. Jack Hardacre (Goal 59), 3. Connor Smythe, 4. Alfie Raw, 5. Spencer Harris, 6. Kurt Harris, 7. Nicky Walker (Goal 54), 8. Ben Atkinson (Goal 72), 9. Joe Walton (Goal 4) (12. Paul Walker), 10. Gavin Allott (Goal 45), 11. Lewis Whitham (Goal 86). | 14. Niall Heaton, 15. Kevy Tarangadzo, 16. Oliver Fearon, 17. Jordan Emery
Ossett United 1. Mat Zaniewski, 2. Prince Attakorah, 3. Jude Adebayo, 4. Luke Hogg, 5. Dec McGivern (14. George Green), 6. Brad Beatson, 7. Louis Beckett, 8. Nathan Valentine, 9. James Walshaw (c), 10. Aaron Haswell, 11. Ify Ofoegbu (15. Marcel Chipamaunga) | 12. Charlie Wood, 16. Tom Deighton GK Jake Teale
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Credits:
JonHuntPhotography Keith Wood