Tuesday 9th October 2007
OSSETT ACADEMY v SHEFFIELD (0-0 Fulltime) 4-5 on penalties

Tuesday night saw our FA Youth Cup squad play their home tie against Sheffield FC in the Second Qualifying Round of this years tournament.

If you weren’t one of the 158 strong and vocal crowd, then you missed an entertaining encounter, more fool you.

Town were under pressure for most of the first half,
However, Sheffield did not have it all their own way with both sides making breaks and coming close only to be denied by the raised flag from the touchline signaling off side after offside.
Town came out for the second half like a team possessed and dominated the next 45 minutes play with occasional exceptions when Sheffield broke free.

Both sides were kept in this epic battle by good clean challenges and excellent goalkeeping at both ends.

Yes you guessed it having popped into the Clubhouse to ring in the 90 minute scoreline I was able to return to the touchline to watch even more end to end play with the flow being broken by cramp on both sides. Defenders administering assistance to the oppositions strike force and the Referee standing by somewhat confused by ‘all this running about’.
As the first period of extra time drew to a close neither net had been rippled by the ball. That soon changed in the second period when Town striker Joe Consterdine rifled a shot past a stunned Sheffield keeper. Only to be pulled up by the referee who responded to another touchline flag for ‘offside’.

You guessed it the second period of extra time drew to a close with neither side having broken the deadlock.

The time had arrived for a penalty shootout and having opted to fire at the goal away from the main stand a herd of Ossett Town Junior players descended on the terracing at the back of the goal and duly struck up a chorus of ‘’Ossett Town Ossett Town Ossett Town’’ … what an atmosphere .. we need them here for all First Team / Reserves and Academy matches!!

Having allowed Sheffield to re-take their first penalty for goalkeeper’s forward movement?? the writing was on the wall for Town as each successful penalty was matched by Sheffield …shot for shot.

Unfortunately, when Sam Jackson stepped forward to take his turn the referee had given the benefit of doubt to the shooter when Sheffield’s keeper had moved forward previously. On this occasion Sam didn’t find the net and although the keeper had clearly moved forward from his line neither whistle nor flag were forthcoming, as a result when Sheffield’s 5th penalty met with the net it was all over for Town’s gallant squad …. What might have been ?? … well an away tie at either Hall Road Rangers or Silsden is what Sheffield now face

Monday 24th September 2007

Ossett Town FA Youth Cup Squad
Having taken taken the coach trip down the M62 /A63 to North Ferriby United’s ground for their FA Youth Cup Preliminary encounter for this season our squad excelled twere triumphant, winning 4 – 1 and as a result have won themselves a Home tie against either Sheffield FC or Halifax Town (their match to be played on Thursday 27th September.

Sunday 16th September 2007

Ossett Town Academy
Having started their season away to Nostell Miners Welfare on Wednesday September 12th with a 2 – 1 victory(Goals from Ben Cullen & Sean Squires), their managers were hopeful that they could repeat this form at Home against Ossett Albion on Sunday 16th.

True to form they obliged with Jonny Downey scoring 2 in the first half along with a single goal from Adam Frost. Town went into the break 3 – 0  up. Expecting that Albion would use both the blustery wind and beaming sunlight as cover for a comeback in the second half , the expected onslaught didn’t materialize and when Town were awarded a penalty  Jonny Downey stepped up to place the ball on the spot before burying it in the back of the net to finish Albion off.
Finall score Ossett Town 4 – Ossett Albion 0

Town's squad can take pride in two excellent performances which have put them at the top of the Table in the Northern Under 19 Alliance League –Central Division., especially as they travel to North Ferriby United on Monday 24th in the FA Youth Cup, sponsored by E-ON.