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1st & 2nd December 2007
UNDER 7’s
What an atmosphere and what a response when they attended the recent Ossett Town First Team Fixture against Ashton United and took the field for a half time penalty shootout
UNDER 8’s Ossett Town vs Pontefract St Joseph
The wind blew and blew giving one team advantage in each half. The advantage fell to the Lions in the first half. The frantic first five minutes saw the tumble drier environment get switched to extra fast super tumble. St Joseph’s dealt with the wind admirably and it was left to Thomas Coe to sweep up, which he did with great skill and maturity, as the opposition put together some lovely football. Liam Taylor was like a gazelle with power as he managed to snuff out St Joseph’s moves.
“I have a dream, I have a vision.” This must be one of the mottos being considered by Liam Finney Corner fan club, as he placed lovely balls for people to run onto and create real opportunities for the Lions. He was ably partnered by Ella Walker who held the ball up well on the left, and put in some dangerous crosses for the Lions.
Elliot Hewitt and Geraint Evans ran the midfield. Elliot had a particularly good game again and earned himself the player of the match. His shots, passing and persistence ensured the Lions were kept mainly in the St Joseph’s half.
Sam Allen in goals in this half, still had things to do. You can see him growing into the goalkeeping position well, and he had an assured performance.
This was the best half of the season so far and things were only to get better in the second half when St Joseph’s took an early lead as the Lions struggled with the industrial and mystical strength blow drier, that was the wind. Ella Walker was now in goals and she did well to deal with the wind and the growing threat of St Joseph’s. However, going one behind put the Lions onto a super charged spin wash with some beautiful passages of play which saw a penetrative strike cut across the goal out of the way of the outstretched keeper, only to bobble and swerve out of the way of Ben Sheldon, who up front, showed great skills and a battling determination as he took the game to St Joseph’s. Thomas Coe had been putting in some effective and intelligent wing work and was finding all the right channels and spots. His excellently timed pass put Geraint Evans through on goal. Geraint rounded the keeper to equal the scores. There were other chances for Sam Allen, Elliot Hewitt and Liam Finney but the ball was not playing for
us. The Minister of Justice must have been corrupt, somebody had got to him and the Lions were framed. The outstanding defensive work of Liam Taylor, Sam Allen, Liam Hitchcock and Elliot Hewitt was cruelly brought to an end as St Joseph’s struck a high ball out of the reach of Ella.
You could sense the Lions were not going to take this lying down and they switched on to full power, “never mind the economy setting let’s get it done!”. At the re-start they were off on another attack. Sadly the whistle went and we all had to face life without such excitement for about 20 minutes.
The match of the season so far for the Lions, and without doubt some of the best football they have played. Some things in life cannot be measured and this match should not be accounted for in goals alone. This was a real test for the Lions and they stood up to it well. St Joseph’s are a very good side:- skilful and physical who play a great passing game and the Lions matched them every step of the way.
Player of the Match Elliot Hewitt Goalscorer Geraint Evans
UNDER 10’s
Unusually, the Terriers were slow to start and in first ten minutes they lacked the fluid play that has been present for the last few weeks. Some sloppy defending allowed Churwell to quickly gain a 2-0 lead. Once the Terriers woke up and began to play it became a very even game, but despite good efforts from Will Pollitt, Connor Rigg and Alex Broadhead, they found a Churwell keeper in form and couldn't break through. With plenty of positives to build on, the Terriers fell further behind at the start of the 2nd half. To their credit they continued to play the better football and created numerous chances with Will, Connor, Luke Gothard and James Bree all finding the keeper in briliant form. With 5 minutes to go, the Terriers got the goal their pressure deserved as Luke followed up his own shot that had struck a post. The DJH MotM award went to Luke for his goal and spirited performance.
UNDER 10’s
In difficult conditions the Tigers started brightly and were ahead inside 30 seconds with a fine team goal. The ball game to Jack Harrop on the right wing who crossed for Tom Wilson to tap into an empty net. Just two minutes later a near identical goal gavethe Tigers a 2-0 lead, this time Tom getting in front of the keeper as the ball came in from Jack. The Tigers dominated the first half with Frazer Ellis running things in central midfield. The third goal came shortly before half-time, with Jack's cross-shot evading Tom to go straight into the far corner. The pitch became very heavy in the second half, and playing up the slope the Tigers had more defending to do, but Rowan Naylor-Myers and Bradley Thackray keeping Churwell at bay. With ten minutes to go the Tigers grabbed a fourth, as Tom released Adam Wilson score from close range under pressure.The ASD MotM awards were given to Bradley, for his defensive work, and to Jack for his goal and 2 assists.
UNDER 11’s
Ossett Town U11s visited Colton Jnrs. It was an even game with both defences on top of their game. Neither side could break through. Half time score 0-0. It was much of the same in the second. Colton then had a shot on goal to which Tom
Padgett saved but Colton then scored from the rebound.
Full time score 1-0.
Ossett Town U12’s – Garforth League
Ossett Scorers: Turfrey(3), White, Taylor Ossett MoM: Turfrey
A Turfrey hat-trick had secured Ossett’s victory against Garforth in the league fixture earlier in the season, but a repeat offering even of that from the on fire, man of the match was not enough to swing the result in Town’s favour today. With a Siberian cross-wind, intermittently laced with freezing rain, Ossett put in a performance which was both resolute and occasionally inspired, contributing to a fantastic game which they were desperately unfortunate not to have won. Having said that, things started badly for Ossett as they found themselves down 0-2 in eight minutes; the first coming after just 120 seconds. Both goals were identical in composition, comprising a through ball over the top for their pacey and skilful captain to run onto and poke home. Both times he was a fraction quicker of the mark than the Ossett defence and both times he finished with assured and deadly accuracy. If this less than ideal start to the game played on the Ossett player’s minds it didn’t show. They continued to play with the confidence and attacking mentality which they had employed from the outset and sure enough, they pulled one back less than two minutes later with a Turfrey corner from the right which flew in, untouched and unaided. Was it the wind or was it the Turfrey swerve? Who knows, but Town were back in it and still raring to go. Once again the Ossett midfield were working incredibly hard to contain the play, chasing everything and tackling hard. Today though they were also creating chances; not just winning the ball but setting the front two of Turfrey and Spurr off and running in the direction of goal. This proved its worth on 12 minutes when Mountain hit a visionary pass through to Turfrey on the right, which he calmly and expertly struck low into the right hand corner and brought the game back level. The Garforth keeper was excellent today and this alone stopped Turfrey from scoring what would have been a fantastic individual goal and Ossett’s third. It started with Turfrey picking up the ball on left wing, just inside his own half. With some exquisite footwork he weaved his way through three Garforth players, including his ever-present personal man-marker, and coolly hit the ball into space for himself to accelerate into. This worked a treat and with acres of time and space of his own making he raced toward goal and unleashed a cracking near post drive...which was almost casually picked out of mid-air by the Garforth keeper. Garforth were next to score, and break the interim deadlock, with another repeat of the first two. This time however the wind definitely did play a part, as the initially wide ball over the top curved back infield; Totally fooling the Ossett defence, but falling perfectly into the path of the sprinting Garforth captain. Campbell came out and got a hand to the shot but the deflection was not enough and the ball flew home. 2-3. Such was the ebb and flow of this game that Ossett again equalised in a matter of minutes. Captain Daniel copied Mountain’s earlier example and set Turfrey clean through on the left for his hat-trick. No save this time, just a blur and reverberating right hand post the only evidence, other than the ball in the back of the net. Sykes and Turfrey came very close to taking the lead as the first half came to a close but it finished 3-3, and Ossett went in on the ascendancy. The second half continued as though there had been not an interrupting break from the first– fast, franctic, competitive. Ossett were again on top but a goal out nowhere saw them go 3-4 down on 33 minutes and again the wind again played a part in this one. A speculative floating cross from the right caught in the wind and the wrong footed Campbell could only flap into his own goal. Controversy came next. A powerful Garforth shot from right was blocked, but not held by Campbell and the ball fell to the feet of another waiting Garforth attacker. If Campbell had made a mistake in the first instance, he now made up for it with a superb reaction save, diving to his right and blocking full stretch with his palm. Did the ball cross the line? The Garforth players thought so, but no goal was given the ball was cleared to safety. Ossett upped the pace now and both White and Turfrey forced another couple of excellent saves. And it was White himself who eventually pulled Ossett back level. Inevitably it was Turfrey who started the move, racing down the left to the by-line and cutting a cross back into the area. Taylor was on the receiving end and cleverly and unselfishly he passed across the six yard box to the waiting White. A good move and a sound and essential finish. Ossett were level again. Just two minutes later, and with just five minutes to go, Ossett’s epic struggle seemed complete as Taylor scored a goal which was simply quite magnificent; worthy of winning any game, including, so it seemed, this one. On the left and a twenty yards out he hit an unstoppable shot which rocketed over the Garforth keeper and into the top right hand corner. The players went berserk. They thought they had won it. The supporters thought they had won it. Even the Garforth assistant manger thought they had won it, hence his sudden and pitiful outbursts concerning use of Ossett shirt numbers and the consequential implication of cheating. Sad to see this behaviour in the closing stages of what had been a fair and entertaining contest to that point, and so out of character with the way the rest of the Garforth players, management and supporters had conducted themsleves. And was it coincidence that the complaint was raised at the first point in the match that Ossett were in the lead? It turned out Garfoth didn’t need these underhand tactics, as they equalised in heart-breaking fashion right full time with a mystifying and deadly equaliser. A free-kick had been awarded some 25 yards out on the left for a push in the back and the resulting shot, although powerful seemed to be whizzing harmlessly wide to the left. Miraculously it connected with a Garforth head and was directed, still at pace into the six yard box. Here it met a Garforth boot which drilled it back with unstoppable pace into the back of the net. If this was a practised set move it was a cracker. Even it wasn’t it was a good goal and forced the game into extra time.
With the light fading and the temperature dropping further, extra time ensued. Early on Campbell pulled off a good last ditch save to a long range, speculative and unexpected shot from the right, pushing the ball on to the right hand post. A close call but Ossett were still in it. Then on 8 minutes into the first period the Garforth winner was scored. A free kick from the edge of the box on the by-line was expertly nodded in from their impressive captain, 10 yards out, alone, unmarked and unchallenged. A very good finish indeed and worthy winner. Campbell pulled of another fingertip save to prevent definite finality to the result and this allowed Ossett to finish in a flurry of attacking pressure for the remainder of the
game. The tigerish and untiring Cundall and Daniel fought hard with their midfield quartet and both Turfrey and Mountain forced yet another two good Garforth saves. But Garforth weathered it and despite the best efforts of Ossett, the final whistle went to signify their hard fought victory. This was a classic cup tie. Exciting, end to end action, with both teams competing and playing well in a breath-taking, enjoyable and entertaining game. Congratulations to Garforth – it was a close thing, but they took your chances well. The Ossett players need to take heart from another good performance. On balance they were at least equal to the visitors, but in a cup tie anything can happen, and today it nearly did.
UNDER 13’s Ossett Town v Horsforth St Margaret’s (Garforth League)
A battling performance from the whole team could not prevent Ossett Town under 13s from slipping to a 3 – 0 defeat to Horsforth St Margarets Juniors at a muddy Spring Mill. Town had the best of the early exchanges, but could not capitalise, and Horsforth took the lead after 25 minutes. The second half followed the same pattern, and the pitch played a large part in the away teams two further goals. Manager Nick Smith could not fault the teams effort, and if this level of commitment is continued results will improve. Player of the match honours went to Nick Radley for a solid performance at the heart of the defence.
Ossett Town 6 - 3 Carleton Juniors (Charles Rice U13)
Due to injuries Carleton had to start the match with just 10 men and if it had not being for the Carleton goalkeeper Ossett could have won the match in the first 10 mins. As the match progressed George Proud put Ossett 1 - 0 up at half time. Leading 3 - 1 with a further two goals from George Proud and an injury to one of Carleton's 10 men looked as if it was going to be comfortable for Ossett. However due to the determination and work rate of Carleton, Ossett started to waiver under the constant pressure from Carleton. Ossett Town paniced and let two simple goals in. Then turning the tables Ossett showed a reserve of dtermination with a goal from Tommy Omilabu plus one from Josh McKeeman and a fourth from George Proud saw Ossett take the spoils in what was a thrilling game. M.O.M honours went to Tommy Omalibu.
UNDER 16’s Charles Rice-Invitation Cup 2nd round (replay)
Ossett Town Reds made it through to the quarter - finals of the Invitation Cup by eventually beating Challenge Division side Bretton Juniors 7 – 3, Ossett having to win the game in extra time after Bretton had stunned them with two goals in stoppage time at the end of normal time to draw level. As in the first game the first half was a tight affair with neither team able to dominate play or able to create any clear-cut chances and it took a stroke of luck for the deadlock to be broken after 35 minutes. Ross Hardaker appeared to miss hit a shot at goal but the ball looped up and fell for Georgie Tate to volley past the Bretton keeper to put Ossett in front. Bretton equalized 3 minutes later following a blunder in the defence, they were actually receiving the ball back fromBretton following a stoppage in play for an injury.
Half Time: - Ossett Town Reds 1 Bretton Juniors 1
Bretton almost took the lead early in the second half when an in swinging corner kick hit the top of the Ossett crossbar, but it was Ossett who had the better of the half and deservedly went ahead after 62 minutes following an excellent move involving Michael Liversidge and Ross Hardaker who put a great ball across the Bretton six yard line for Joe Madarasi to find the net.
The game looked to be secure 5 minutes later when Josh Hardy scored with his first touch after coming on as substitute, latching on to a Shaun Joy through ball.
To their credit Bretton changed formation and began to chase the game and 3 minutes into stoppage time they pulled a goal back and were not finished there, as a minute later they were awarded a free kick well outside the Ossett penalty area. However the kick was curled brilliantly over the wall and although goalkeeper Widdrington got a hand to it he couldn’t keep it out.
Full Time: - Ossett Town Reds 3 v Bretton Juniors 3
Having thought they had the game won once, Ossett then made a brilliant start to extra time scoring two goals in the first three minutes. The first came following great work by Carl Thompson who beat three players in the corner before crossing, the ball deflected off a Bretton defender against the inside of the post but Ross Hardaker was there to make sure the ball went over the line. Two minutes later Joe Madarasi scored his second from another Shaun Joy through ball. Ossett found two more goals in the second half of extra time as Ross Hardaker added his second and a brilliant individual goal from Joe Madarasi gave him his hat trick.
After Extra Time: - Ossett Town Reds 7 v Bretton Juniors 3
Man of the match for Ossett Town: - The Whole Team
Goal scorers for Ossett Town: - Georgie Tate, Joe Madarasi (3), Ross Hardaker (2), Josh Hardy
Usder 16’s Whites
Ossett Town Whites played host to Campion Juniors in the prestigious County Cup competition, Ossett started slowly and put themselves under pressure with losing posession in dangerous places, luckily Tom Shingler was at the top of his game in defence and dealt with everything Campion threw at him, Ossett got back into the game and were unlucky on a couple of occasions, against the run of play Campion scored from a free kick on the edge of the area. this seemed to give Ossett a wake up call and captain Luke Thompson led by example stamping his authority and driving his team forward, Ossett were rewarded with an equaliser before half time as Matti Kavanagh out muscled the Campion defender and deliver the ball to Oliver Pickersgill to score from close range. In the second half Ossett got into their stride and Luke Thompson started and finished a fantastic move of two touch football with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area, Kavanagh and Lee Schofield were a constant threat to Campion and Schofield volleyed home the third after good work by Jamie Eyles. poor refereeing allowed Campion to pull one back after Ossett Keeper Alex Cottrell was fouled and was carried off with a broken nose, but play was waved on and the Campion striker chipped the ball into an empty net. That was the last attempt from the visitors as Ossett took control in every department, Alex Higgins worked tirelessly and cheekily chipped the keeper, Luke Thompson finished the scoring making the final score 5 - 2 to Ossett.
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