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KICKING-OFF
A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Welcome to Ingfield!
The new year has certainly got off to a very positive start thanks to the 1-0 home win against Brighouse Town on New Year’s Day, and once again you turned out in large numbers, the attendance of 739 may be a few hundred from our record attendance, but was the highest recorded for a 3pm Saturday kick-off, and hopefully the numbers will be similar again to see if we can continue 2022 in a winning fashion.
After today’s game we will go nearly a month until our next home fixture, not for the first time this season, but once again we will be putting the time to good use with the installation of LED floodlights that will be up and running in time for the visit of Pickering Town on 5 February, it’s clear to see the current floodlights have just about served their purpose, the new lights will be yet another ‘bright’ point for the club.
Jas and Wardy have now been in charge for just less than two weeks and already I have been very impressed with the way they have gone about managing the club. Their communication with both the board and the players has been excellent and already we have seen a lot of quality in the players that have been brought to the club and those who are already here have fully bought into their methods.
As often happens with a change of management there is a turnover of players, some electing to move on without giving the new manager the opportunity to properly assess them, while others are not in the managers plans. We also saw Max Dearnley recalled by Huddersfield Town while the loan deals for Reon Potts and Archie Whitfield had an end date of 4 January. Reon told us he had a loan offer elsewhere he wanted to explore while Archie, as Jas said in his player update on Wednesday evening was a different matter. He ultimately decided the best thing for the club and player was to not extend his deal with the option to bring in additional players as well as the players already at the club Jas felt Archie would not get the game time he would need at this stage of his career.
I would like to wish all the players who have moved on the best of luck in their future career whilst welcoming the new faces to the club. I hope you have a long and successful time here at Ingfield.
After today we travel to Cleethorpes Town next weekend, there are still seats available on the supporters coach so please do contact Luke Swinden to book your seat.
Following that there has been a date change for the game at Liversedge, the fixture has been brought forward to Friday 21 January, kick-off 7:45pm
I hope you generate an atmosphere as loud as last week and enjoy the game!
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The Presidents Address
Neville Wigglesworth
Last Saturday’s result, a 1 – 0 win against local rivals Brighouse Town, gave us a second victory on the spin and once again got us looking up the league table rather worrying about which teams below us were catching us up in terms of points accumulated.
The 3 points we picked up also created a much improved mood amongst our supporters not only on the final whistle but also in the bars afterwards. In fact the vocal encouragement during the 90 minutes along with that in the bars must have left the new management team of Jas Colliver and Mark Ward feeling well pleased with the job they have taken on and given them a taste of what things might be like if we do start putting a successful run together. Fingers crossed that scenario won’t be long in coming. As Jas and Mark later confirmed in their post-match interview the overall performance against Brighouse might not have been the best technically and we shouldn’t get carried away with it but the character of the players was right out of the top drawer and not open to question.
Since the formation of Ossett United Football Club following the merger of Ossett Albion and Ossett Town I have been genuinely of the opinion that we have created a Club with an, as yet, unknown but very exciting future. In our short history we have already encountered more problems than many clubs at our level have had to face in decades and I feel that could be a contributory factor in the Club’s overall character going forward. We’ve experienced difficult times, not least financially, and several setbacks but that is something that helps to further focus our attention and motivates our quest for success.
Our supporters are absolutely vital if we are to fully realise the potential which I’m sure we are capable of achieving. Obviously we need fans through the turnstiles to generate the revenue required to pay our way without incurring further debt. Anything over and above a certain break-even figure can then be channelled into investment into our facilities and, thanks to our brilliant fan-base so far, this has already started to happen with the provision of the new pitch perimeter barrier. We would have had new floodlights by now had our suppliers not experienced major problems with shipping/transport etc. There are also other projects under consideration and, the way things are going, will also come to fruition before much longer. That in a nutshell is just how important our fans are in growing the Club in all areas and, as I’ve often commented on before, everybody in the Club’s administration realises and appreciates the fact and, therefore, never takes the supporters for granted.
I must apologise to anyone under the age of about 65 for last week’s half time music selection. Our match day announcer Craig Biddlestone accosted me at the Tadcaster game and informed me it was my turn to pick the play-list. Now I wasn’t aware we took turns to do the honours but rather than protest I half-heartedly went along with his request. I have to confess the whole experience was both challenging and stressful regarding what to choose. You have to bear in mind the first record I ever bought was a song called Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home) by a group called The Impalas and that was released in 1959!! I nattered all week wondering what I could choose for listeners who are half my age on average but wouldn’t find my selections too ‘cheesy’. In the end I decided to just go for it and endure any ridicule that might come my way afterwards. I’d like to thank the three people out of the 739 in attendance that were kind enough to tell me it wasn’t too bad bit I still hope the next time I’m asked (Craig Biddlestone please note!) will be quite some while in coming.
This afternoon we welcome the Directors, Officials, management, players and not least the travelling supporters of Dunston and we hope they take away with them a favourable impression of Ossett United. Dunston are a very hospitable club whenever we visit them so hopefully we will be able to reciprocate today. The game is another ‘six-pointer’ in that a win for the visitors, who are just one place and three points below us in the league table, would take them above us so there is a lot to play for. Enjoy the game.
Neville Wigglesworth – President Ossett United FC
Managers Corner
With Jas Colliver
Good afternoon and a warm welcome to everyone connected to Dunston UTS and wish you a safe journey home. Dunston have been in a poor run of form but like us picked up all three points on NY day so we know we need to be at our best once again today to win the game.
Wow just wow, NY day with a crowd of over 700 and three points in a local Derby it felt good. We could feel the togetherness of the players and their standards were set in the warm up. We have told the lads we train as we play and that was evident in training on Thursday and then the warm up before the game. Looking back at the game and analysing the stats and footage I was pleased overall, there’s obviously areas to develop but on the whole in scrappy game I believe we did enough to win it. I’m a huge believer in the team defending from the front and 1-11 they did just that, credit will go to Matty and his defence which is right but that was a proper team performance being on the front foot and scrapping for every first and second ball.
On his debut Ify took his goal well it’s something we’ve mentioned and walked through in training that players need to get closer to Wally and that’s how the goal came about. Ify hasn’t played football for weeks now so there’s much more to come from him. A special mention to a mate of ours Stu Ludlum for helping us out as a one off last week, I thought he was tremendous. We just felt we needed a bit more experience with our skipper (Jack Cowgill) going down with illness, Luds has played the majority of his non league career at this level, he’s a top lad and the right character to add to the group. Now he’s registered which happened late Friday who knows if we will see him again!
We have trained well again this week and are still working on a few additions to bring into the group as well as trimming the players who are surplus or need game time in the NCEL. It’s two wins in a row now but we will always look at areas to improve us. I’m hopeful a new face will be in for today’s game but if not we will go with what we have got. I believe we need more strength in depth even though we have nearly 40 players registered I believe there’s roughly 15 players that I could call upon at this moment in time. I’m looking forward to seeing Hogg and Valentine back in the squad over the next few weeks these two will again strengthen us and obviously the skipper returning today.
Myself and Wardy have brought in Gary Middleton as a coach, Midi has bags of experience in non league playing over 1000 games. He’s in the all time best Ilkeston Town squad where he become a legend down there as well as being a fans favourite at Stocksbridge PS, Belper Town and Gainsborough. Midi was also my assistant manager at Sheffield FC and Handsworth he is someone we can trust and rely on as well as building those positive relationships with the players for me this is another top addition for the club!
Once again thank you for your support, the lads could feel you right behind them and it made a massive difference particularly late on in the game when we had some tired legs on that pitch! Be the 12th man!
Enjoy the game
A view from the Press Box...
Craig Biddlestone
I think it was Jimmy Greaves who said “football is a funny old game”, and before anybody thinks about piping up I am only just old enough to vaguely remember Saint & Greavsie on Saturday morning TV. I say it's a funny old game because often in football you can go from a run of 1 win in 11 to all of a sudden winning 2 on the bounce, as we have done recently with our victories over Tadcaster Albion and Brighouse Town.
Another phrase often used in football is “new manager bounce”, we see it all too often when a change in management sees an upturn in results, even my beloved Nottingham Forest have gone from 1 point from 7 games under Chris Hughton to 3 defeats in 18 and a completely different style of attacking play under Steve Cooper.
Here at Ossett United I firmly believe that we have the nucleus of a very good squad, albeit a young squad, but let’s not forget that it was Wayne Benn and his team that brought the squad together. The change in management for me was the right decision, we often here another phrase - "it was the right time to make the change”, and for me it was the right time, I had a lot of time for Benno and his team but unfortunately there is no loyalty in football, and rightly so, as it is after all a results business.
Jas and Wardy and his team have come in though and been a breath of fresh air both on and off the pitch. There is always the inevitable change of players, and I for one think it’s a shame that Cameron Clark and Nash Connolly decided to move on, but the comings and goings keep the media team busy, Ify Ofoegbu more than impressed against Brighouse Town and Brad Beatson (or ‘The Beast’ as I believe he is known) certainly has the pedigree to be a quality player for the club, and add to that the loan singings of Charlie Wood and Louis Bennett and it makes our lives extremely busy indeed.
Obviously, most of you won't see what happens behind the scenes, but for those of you that use WhatsApp as a major form of communication as we at Ossett United do, you will appreciate that the phone is always buzzing. The Ofoegbu signing for example was a case of getting the timing right with the announcement, as Neil Spofforth wasn’t able to handle the social media side due to Kate Hennighan’s birthday, but I was at Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town and for those of you that ever tried to do anything on your phones during a football match with 28,000+ supporters in the ground, 4G often struggles to work, but between Chris Boyd sorting the graphic, Jack Sloan sorting the website and me making sure that we stuck to the 8:35pm time for announcing the signing, as a team we got there in the end. Even the Brad Beatson signing saw Chris Cassidy make his way to training on a Wednesday night to ensure we got the first exclusive interview with the new player.
Like I said though, it’s more than just on the pitch where Jas and Wardy have been a breath of fresh air, Jas especially is always in contact with new ideas and new content, the new walk out music was Jas’ choice and he has also asked if we can start a new feature with the players where we ask quick fire questions, something you will see very soon indeed, we will also be re-launching the Podcast which will be hosted by Chris Cassidy.
Finally from me I’d like to congratulate Jack Sloan, our programme and website editor who has recently added a new role to his portfolio as data analyst for the first team, a role I’m sure he will excel in.
Today’s half-time playlist has been chosen by James Walshaw, enjoy the music and more importantly 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:
- Jake TEALE (GK)
- Mateusz ZANIEWSKI (GK)
- Ross HARDAKER
- Ross KILLOCK
- Harry GAGEN
- Prince ATTAKORAH
- Jack COWGILL (C)
- Eddie CASS
- Brad BEATSON
- Dec McGIVERN
- Aaron HASWELL
- Marcel CHIPAMAUNGA
- Jack TANSER
- Luke HOGG
- Nathan VALENTINE
- Josh HAIGH
- George GREEN
- Louis BECKETT
- Charlie WOOD
- James WALSHAW
- Ify OFOEGBU
- Josh MACIVER
Squad Update - 5/1/2022
Jas Colliver and Mark Ward have continued to reshape the Ossett United squad ahead of the second half of the PitchinIn NPL East season.
Coming in is Brad Beatson from Frickley Athletic, a left footed central defender or left back who will add quality and strength in depth to a position that has been a problem at Ingfield for the past couple of seasons.
Former Sheffield Wednesday trainee Brad Beatson swapped life with Gainsborough Trinity for Boston United in May 2017.
Having spent the first season of his senior career in National League North at The Northolme.
Colliver “Brad was a target of mine and other step three clubs in the summer but due to the travelling he didn’t want to commit to me. As soon as we accepted the job I thought of Brad straight away, Brad is a good age with experience of this level and above. Brad will add leadership to our young team but first and foremost he’s coming in to defend and hopefully help keep more clean sheets”
Another to register with the first team is Josh Maciver, a product of Ossett Town Juniors and in recent seasons a member of Neil Patchett’s successful Ossett United u18 squad, JJ has impressed the management in training to earn an opportunity to break into the first team squad.
Wardy “JJ has trained only twice with us but he looks composed on the ball and confident in both sessions, he is a good size also. We are always looking to provide a pathway for younger lads. So far five u18s have been invited to train with us and either myself or Jas will be at their game on Sunday to have a further look at this exciting bunch”.
It is not just on the field where the squad is being strengthened as there have been two additions off it too.
Jas “I have brought in Gary Middleton as a coach, Midi has bags of experience in non-league playing over 1000 games. He’s in the all-time best Ilkeston Town squad where he become a legend down there as well as being a fans favourite at Stocksbridge PS, Belper Town and Gainsborough. Midi was also my assistant manager at Sheffield FC and Handsworth. He is someone we can trust and rely on as well as building those positive relationships with the players for me this is another top addition for the club!”
The second addition is programme editor Jack Sloan who will take on the role of video analyst.
The role relates directly to what Jack is studying at university and will play a key role behind the scenes for Jas and Wardy.
There have of course been departures too, Max Dearnley has been recalled by Huddersfield Town, while Archie Whitfield and Reon Potts loans from York City ended on 4 January.
We thank them all for their time here at Ingfield and wish them well in their careers going forward.
Jas “I felt it was important to tidy up a few lose ends with the squad, Reon has gone back to York City with an eye on a further loan move, Huddersfield recalled Max and the toughest decision to make has been not to extend Archie’s loan”.
“I have had a look at a few options and decided it wasn’t in the best interest of the club or player to extend his loan, we have Hogg back available after Saturdays game who has trained really well and Valentine is back on 11th Jan two players who will be back in the squad once available again, we thank Archie as he has been superb in what I’ve seen of him and wish him well, who knows what’s around the corner he could be back!”
Marcel Chipamaunga has signed duel registration forms with United Counties League side Pinchbeck United while Cameron Clark has returned to former club, NCEL side Hemsworth Miners Welfare, Tabish Hussain has also made the decision to play his football elsewhere too.
We wish all of our former players the best of luck at their new clubs.
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Dunston UTS FC
SQUAD LIST
Dunston UTS FC Coaching Team:
- Manager: Chris Swailes
- Assistant Manager: Jon McDonald
- Coach: Ian Irving
- Physio: Lewis Black
Dunston UTS FC Squad:
- CRAIG BAXTER
- DAN CAPEWELL
- RICHARD COULSON
- ANDREW CLARK
- MATTHEW COALEY
- LIAM CONNELL
- JACK ELLIOTT
- MICHAEL FOWLER
- TERENCE GALBRAITH
- MICHAEL HALL
- LEE MASON
- URSENE MOUANDA
- MICHAEL PEARSON
- LUKE PORRITT
- CRAIG SCOTT
- JAKE STAFFORD
- LIAM THEAR
- JAKE TURNBULL
- PHIL TURNBULL
Dunston UTS FC History:
The Club first saw light of day in 1975 as a humble works outfit. Long-serving Club stalwart, John Thompson, along with some of his fellow workmates at Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Gateshead, decided to form a football team and joined the Newcastle City Amateur League playing at the Civil Service Sports Ground, Longbenton, Newcastle.
Early success inspired John to develop the Club and it moved to a new base, The Bay Horse public house in Whickham. The Club name was changed to Whickham Sports FC. Playing on a public parks pitch in Dunston, the Club entered the Northern Amateur League. Numerous successes were achieved at this level including League Championships and League Cup wins.
In 1980 the Club joined the Northern Combination League. Further League and Cup triumphs followed and a move to a base nearer the home ground seemed logical. The Club moved to a new base at the Dunston Mechanics Social Club and became known as Dunston Mechanics F.C. As the club progressed, land in the locality was leased from Gateshead MBC and the management committee began to develop the present ground.
At this stage an approach was made to the Federation Brewery for sponsorship to assist in the progress of the Club. When they kindly agreed to become the Club’s main sponsors, the name was changed to Dunston Federation Brewery F.C. After finishing as League Champions and League Cup Winners in 1987, the Club left the Northern Combination League and joined the Wearside League. Following a period of four seasons in the Wearside League – being League Champions twice and League Cup Winners once – the club felt a need to seek new opportunities and an application was made to join the prestigious Northern Football League.
During their time in the Wearside League, the club had made considerable improvements to Federation Park with progress to a higher status of football in mind, and their application to join the Northern League was successful. The Club had now realised one of its main ambitions and so entered the National Pyramid of Non-League Football.
In its second season in the Northern League, the Club won the Second Division Title and was promoted to the First Division. That season also saw the Club reach the last eight of the national FA Vase competition.
The Club was now an established Northern League Club having won the League Challenge Cup three years in succession from 1998 to 2000. Dunston also won the J. R. Cleator Cup in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Season 2003/2004 was one to remember when the club won the Northern League Championship for the first time and also lifted the League Challenge Cup. They also reached the final qualifying round of the F.A. Cup – the furthest they have ever reached in that competition.
The Club first saw light of day in 1975 as a humble works outfit. Long-serving Club stalwart, John Thompson, along with some of his fellow workmates at Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Gateshead, decided to form a football team and joined the Newcastle City Amateur League playing at the Civil Service Sports Ground, Longbenton, Newcastle.
Early success inspired John to develop the Club and it moved to a new base, The Bay Horse public house in Whickham. The Club name was changed to Whickham Sports FC. Playing on a public parks pitch in Dunston, the Club entered the Northern Amateur League. Numerous successes were achieved at this level including League Championships and League Cup wins.
In 1980 the Club joined the Northern Combination League. Further League and Cup triumphs followed and a move to a base nearer the home ground seemed logical. The Club moved to a new base at the Dunston Mechanics Social Club and became known as Dunston Mechanics F.C. As the club progressed, land in the locality was leased from Gateshead MBC and the management committee began to develop the present ground.
At this stage an approach was made to the Federation Brewery for sponsorship to assist in the progress of the Club. When they kindly agreed to become the Club’s main sponsors, the name was changed to Dunston Federation Brewery F.C. After finishing as League Champions and League Cup Winners in 1987, the Club left the Northern Combination League and joined the Wearside League. Following a period of four seasons in the Wearside League – being League Champions twice and League Cup Winners once – the club felt a need to seek new opportunities and an application was made to join the prestigious Northern Football League.
During their time in the Wearside League, the club had made considerable improvements to Federation Park with progress to a higher status of football in mind, and their application to join the Northern League was successful. The Club had now realised one of its main ambitions and so entered the National Pyramid of Non-League Football.
In its second season in the Northern League, the Club won the Second Division Title and was promoted to the First Division. That season also saw the Club reach the last eight of the national FA Vase competition.
The Club was now an established Northern League Club having won the League Challenge Cup three years in succession from 1998 to 2000. Dunston also won the J. R. Cleator Cup in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Season 2003/2004 was one to remember when the club won the Northern League Championship for the first time and also lifted the League Challenge Cup. They also reached the final qualifying round of the F.A. Cup – the furthest they have ever reached in that competition.
Today's officials
Match Referee: Lee Hible
'I started refereeing at the age of 15 officiating on junior leagues, whilst still playing up to the age of 18 for Stocksbridge Park Steels, upon which I realised I had reached the peak of where I could make it playing the sport. I therefore decided at 18 to just stick to the whistle and took my refereeing more seriously working up the ladder to the level I am now. I have always loved sport & fitness in general and this has been my pathway in a career since adulthood, now owning 2 fitness studios in North Sheffield and also part time Centre Manager for Stocksbridge CLC.
The highlight of my refereeing career has to be the photo. Being able to officiate at Wembley stadium, which many referees dream of, albeit this was a charity event but the setting was still phenomenal. However I also love every game at this level of football. I get to officiate this competitive league (Northern Premier League) to also officiating on the National League and premier development league.'
Today's Assistants: Christopher Rose & Matthew Rose.
Book Review: The Lone Rangers (An English club's century in Scottish football) by Tom Maxwell
Anyone expecting a season by season analysis, replete with league tables, appearances and goal scorers of Berwick Rangers “…century in Scottish football…” will be disappointed. What The Lone Rangers does provide is a book which tells of the highs and lows, the characters over the years and what it means to be a Berwick player, manager and fan in a witty and insightful manner. The 192 pages give the reader so much more than any set of statistics ever could.
Quite simply this is a book I couldn’t put down. From the Prologue where the reader is introduced to the author Maxwell at University, through to the Epilogue where Maxwell the journalist and fan is attending the Berwick Rangers v Celtic Scottish Cup game - the passion and understanding of what it is to be a supporter is evident. Throughout this publication, Tom Maxwell captures and uses the language of the terraces, because he has experienced the ups and downs of following his team. Set against that, the author uses his journalistic skills to good effect and so enables the pages to come alive with both humour and perception, through his research, interviews and anecdotes gleaned for the book.
In the opening chapters, there is an exploration of the identity of Berwick-upon-Tweed and its inhabitants (a town that has changed hands 13 times between England and Scotland) and discussion about the exact location of the border. If there is a conclusion, it is that some see themselves as English, some as Scottish, but all as ‘Berwickers’. Indeed it seems nothing is quite straightforward with the club, as Maxwell relates how the club celebrated its centenary in 1991, only to discover that in fact the club was not founded until 1894.
As you travel through the book, Maxwell introduces characters (whether players, managers, club officials and fans) that tell the story of the significant moments in The Borderers history. Included are Tom McQueen (father of Gordon [ex Leeds and Manchester United and Scotland International]), who came to Shielfield Park in 1957. Tom McQueen played in goal and also worked as groundsman, but was known for his kicking power. When asked if he could kick a ball to the opposition penalty area, McQueen responded, “…oh aye…no problem…I don’t know what I’d do with these balls they have now – I’d lose them…”
Another with a tremendous kicking power was Ken Bowron who scored 109 goals in 138 appearances in two spells with Berwick. Bowron returned to Berwick after the clubs most famous result and a period under the management of Jock Wallace who Maxwell details as “…strict disciplinarian, control freak, semi-masochistic…” That famous result was of course the 1-0 over Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Cup in January 1967 and Maxwell dedicates a Chapter to the event. Maxwell brings to life the character of Wallace and his time in charge of Berwick and the impression he made on players later in his management career such as Gary Lineker.
However, that team from 1967 was quickly disbanded and as the seventies dawned a new Berwick legend was starting out. Eric Tait played as a trialist in January 1970 and holds the records of most League appearances and goals for the club. He played in every position and was player-manager from 1983-1987. Tait was a player during the 1978-79 League Division Two title winning season, under the stewardship of Dave Smith (later voted the clubs Player of the Millennium). The interview with Smith by the author (in a Dundee branch of Burger King), typifies Maxwell’s ability to still be a fan, but still get the information he needs. One little gem from Smith is his laconic response to being asked about his playing days with George Best in L.A. “…well…he played with me…”
As the book gets to the late 1980s, figures such as Jim Jefferies and John ‘Yogi’ Hughes get woven into the fabric of Berwick with the club going 21 games unbeaten in the 1988-89 season. You would have expected that a run of this magnitude would have meant promotion. However, given the number of draws and the horrendous start to the season, all that it meant was that Berwick finished 4 points clear of bottom placed Stenhousemuir! Hughes goals not only helped Berwick on the pitch, but his sale in November 1989 to Swansea City brought much needed funds to Shielfield Park.
Like many other clubs, Berwick has had it financial problems and Maxwell does not shy aware from detailing the problems that occurred and which in 1992 nearly saw the club close and go out of business. The nineties were indeed a see-saw period for Berwick as they bounced between Scottish League Division Two and Three. Their last honour was back in 2006-07 as Third Division Champions and Maxwell focuses on ex-player Gary Wood, a policeman now, in the books final chapter. As with the opening of the book and throughout it, Maxwell probes as to what makes Berwick a unique club. Wood like others acknowledges the influence of its geographical location and the divide this causes, but points to it as something positive rather than negative.
Berwick Rangers FC has a unique place in football and Tom Maxwell’s telling of it is a story worth reading.
(Publisher: Northumbria Press. August 2011. Hardcover: 192 pages)
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Match Report: OUFC 1 - 0 Brighouse Town
The New Year’s Day derby game with Brighouse saw Jaz Colliver and Mark Ward in the Ossett United dugout for the first time, their first team selection saw Harry Gagen return to the side and a debut for Ify Ofoegbu as well as Stu Ludlam who was brought into the side with Cowgill side lined. Attakorah and Hussain were the others to drop out of the starting eleven.
Brighouse started quickly, winning an early corner which Ossett cleared out of the area but only to former Ossett United favorite Corey Gregory who saw the opening effort of the game fly over from 30 yards. This was to be a theme for the day with both sides creating opportunities but neither keeper called upon to do too much.
Charlie Wood almost got on the end of a through ball with Bellagambi on his toes, the Brighouse number one out quickly to clear any danger. The Brighouse keeper was called into action again as good hold up play from Walshaw saw him find Archie Whitfield at the edge of the area, his shot struck well but a deflection took the pace off it, leaving Bellagambi and easy save.
The game was a typical derby, both sides fully committed to the cause, another Brighouse corner caused a scramble in the box, Boyle eventually getting a shot away but well off target.
Walshaw again was in the thick of the action as he climbed high to flick the ball on, Ofoegbu latching onto the ball and with a clear run on goal was stopped by the referee’s whistle with Walshaw requiring treatment to a head injury. Brighouse would not be so lucky again the next time Ofoegbu saw a sight of goal.
Ossett United were well on top at this stage of the game, Walshaw again the provider, this time finding Wood who created a shooting opportunity only for the visitors to defend well, United winning a corner. Haswell swung it over where it was met by the head of McGivern, the glancing header just over the crossbar.
Ofoegbu once again showed what a danger he will be to opposition defences as he ran clear down the right drilling over a low cross that Wood was closing in on but just out of reach. Then in the 35th minute the Ingfield crowd erupted.
It was Walshaw who held off two men, the ball bouncing it looked as though he was setting up to strike from distance but a deft touch lifted the ball over the Brighouse defence where Ofoegbu closed in, striking the ball with venom into the keepers top left hand corner, the net didn’t just bulge, it was almost torn from the posts as the debutant ran to the corner to celebrate.
As half time approached Brighouse had their best opportunity as Boyle found space, his effort wild and off target hitting the roof of the stand when it looked like he should score.
In a game of few clear chances Ossett United deserved the one goal lead, the strike deserved to win any game and ultimately it won this one.
However there was still 45 minutes to play, and it was again the visitors who started well putting pressure on the Ossett United back line. Gagen, Ludlam, McGivern and Hardaker were all in top form and on the few occasions the ball passed them Zaniewski was there to pluck the ball from the sky.
Much of the second period was played in the Ossett half but a lack of quality from the Brighouse side rarely saw the home defence troubled. As the half wore on Ossett again looked to put the pressure back onto the visitors. Some delightful skill from Hasswell saw him beat two men before sliding the ball to Walshaw in the channel, he was forced wide and his effort blocked for a United corner.
As the clock ticked down the United defence stood strong and relatively worry free despite the Brighouse pressure.
The full time whistle blew on a typical derby day game, played in an excellent spirit, both sides giving 100%. It was back to back wins for Ossett United for the first time since opening weekend of the season and a very good start for the new management team who will take a lot of positives from this and the previous game and will have a better idea of where the squad needs additions.
Ossett United: 1. Mat Zaniewski, 2. Harry Gagen, 3. Ross Hardaker, 4. Archie Whitfield, 5. Stu Ludlam, 6. Dec McGivern, 7. Ify Ofoegbu (Goal, 35) (16. Prince Attakorah, 82), 8. Archie Whitfield, 9. James Walshaw (c), 10. Aaron Haswell, 11. Charlie Wood (14. George Green, 66) | 12. Josh Haigh, 15. Tom Deighton, GK. Jake Teale.
Brighouse Town: 1. Gio Bellagambi, 2. Matt Nebard, 3. Josh Grant (c), 4. Corey Gregory, 5. Harrison Beeden, 6. James Hurtley, 7. Javelle Clarke (16. Sam Reed, 74), 8. Tom Haigh, 9. Elliot Harrison (12. Mo Ciccarelli, 68), 10. Jack Boyle, 11. Shiraz Khan (15. Alex King, 61) | 14. Darius Smith, GK Brett Souter.
Man of the Match: Ross Hardaker
Attendance: 739
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Credits:
JonHuntPhotography Keith Wood