The 2012/13 season saw Ossett Town finish in twelfth place of the Evo-Stik First Division North in what was Craig Elliott’s only full season as manager. There was cup success also with runs to the First Round of the FA Trophy and the semi-finals of the West Riding County Cup.

The #CountdownToChristmas started with a 2-2 draw at home to Warrington Town. The visitors came into the game on the back of a four match winning run, and that looked like becoming five until Jimmy Eyles levelled in the 88th minute, Shane Kelsey had made the score 1-1 earlier in the second half and both players were to have good returns this month. Particularly Kelsey.

Cup action soon followed and Evo-Stik First Division South side Belper Town came to Ingfield, the Derbyshire based side held Town to a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, but the quality of Kelsey and Eyles, assisted by new boy Keir Hannity who now plies his trade in America was enough to see Ossett Town through 3-1 after extra time.

The Reds only reverse over the Christmas period took place at Mossley on 22 December, The Lilywhites having as strong season ending in a play-off place. This was one of the few games who beat the weather on this day. Mossley took advantage of a couple of errors by Town to take a two goal lead, Kelsey with his fourth goal in three games grabbing a late consolation.

The final game of this period took place on Boxing Day against now defunct Wakefield FC, a stunning Town performance saw them collect all three points with a 6-0 victory, the result could have been much more with the Reds leading 5-0 at half time!

Eyles opened the scoring inside the opening ten minutes with a curling effort from 25 yards. Kelsey got in on the act with a strike from the half way line that went over the head of former Town goalkeeper Neil Bennett to make it two. Kelsey made it 3-0 with a direct free-kick from the corner of the area and the fourth made it two for Eyles with one of the goals of the season as he controlled a high ball inside the area turning and lobbing the keeper while under pressure from three Wakefield defenders.

It was five on the stroke of half time as Kelsey completed his hat-trick, scoring eight goals in four December games. Town cruised through second half, completing the scoring with five minutes remaining – the only surprise being the scorer, it wasn’t Kelsey or Eyles! Stylish midfielder Luke Sharry scoring the final goal of 2012 for Ossett Town and his first for the club having just signed from Garforth Town this month.

Jimmy Eyles ended the season with an impressive 19 goals in 32 games having signed from Nostel Miners Welfare in November of this season – Kelsey’s season was all but ended in early January as he broke an ankle against Farsley, his total being 17 goals – who knows where the Reds would have ended up had Kelsey and Eyles been able to play together through the second half of the season as the duo hit the net 23 times in the 14 games they played together.

15 December	Ossett Town	2-2	Warrington Town	Match Report
18 December	Ossett Town	3-1	Belper Town	Match Report
22 December	Mossley	2-1	Ossett Town	Match Report
26 December	Ossett Town	6-0	Wakefield	Match Report

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