Ossett Town secure the Cable tie 3-1

The Reds move up to 3rd in the league !

Ossett Town welcomed Prescott Cables to Ingfield sitting 5th in the league and facing a side coming off the back of some convincing results in recent weeks. Probably the most most important game of the season so far with so much resting on the result especially as going into this fixture there are 8 teams capable of securing a play off position.

Prescott ran out 2-0 winners in the reverse away fixture in the first game of the season.

Grant Black goes with the same side that has seen the Reds unbeaten in 5 games picking up 11 points from a possible 15.

The game kicked off with a fierce wind swirling around the Ingfield ground which would make for difficult playing conditions on an already hard playing surface.

The Reds pressed in the opening minutes against a well organised Cables side who took a bit of time to get to grips with the windy conditions. The Reds finding it hard to measure their passes playing with the wind.

As both teams settled into the game, the visitors looked an impressive outfit trying to play a passing game and looking very dangerous up front with players prepared to run at the Reds defence.

Interesting tactics from Prescott as they seemed to try and slow the game down at every opportunity, especially the young keeper who is on loan from Burnley, he made no attempt to play quickly and made Peterson come to him every time he had possession. I suspect they were trying to go in at half time without conceding to then use the wind to their advantage in the 2nd half.

The best chance of the 1st half came as Ossett broke quickly from defence and superb inter-passing from Peterson, Curtis & Frost resulting in Curtis receiving the ball on the left culminating in a fierce shot heading for the top left hand corner which was brilliantly saved by the visitors keeper.

As the end of the first half approached, in the 43 minute, a cross in from the left resulted in the keeper spilling the ball followed by a goalmouth scramble in the 6 yard box with Ossett players strongly claiming the ball had crossed the line. The assistant Referee raised his flag and after discussions with the Referee a red card was shown to a Prescott defender who according to the Assistant Referee had handled the ball on the line preventing a goal. The Reds were awarded a penalty for the offence.

It's fair to say the Reds have not been confident from the penalty spot this season and Jason Yates stepped up to the plate as the 6th different player to take a penalty this season. Yates struck the ball fiercely, low to the the keepers right, the keeper got a strong hand to the ball but not enough to stop the ball crossing the line to give the home side a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute. A great time to score and it must have surely deflated a Cables side who had looked a very good footballing side.

Half time: Ossett Town 1 Prescott Cables 0

The sides came out for the 2nd half with the strong wind favouring the visitors.

In the 51st minute the Reds increased their lead to 2-0 as a low ball came in from the right the towering Tyrone Gay who was recently named in the leagues team of the year was there to score at the near post from 8 yards to add to his seasons growing goal tally.

The Reds looked to be heading for a comfortable win when in the 66th minute a mistake by the Reds defence allowed Wright to break through for the visitors and he was able to put the ball over the top of the oncoming Overton to reduce the scoreline back to 2-1.

This goal gave Prescott new hope and the game was an even affair with both sides looking capable of scoring again.

Rikki Paylor replaced Steve Ridley in midfield for the Reds adding some aerial strength to the team.

In the 90th minute the game was settled when a great through ball found an unmarked Danny Frost on the edge of the box who allowed the ball to run across his body and his shot emphatically beat the visitors keeper to seal a 3-1 win for Ossett Town.

An important result for Town against a young but extremely capable team making it difficult to understand their position in the league.

A strong team performance from the Reds led by a very impressive performance from Alex Peterson who for me was Man of the Match.

This win sends the Reds into an impressive 3rd place in the league, however such is the intensity of the run in, with 2 games to play, there are still 8 teams fighting for a play off place.

Bank Holiday Monday sees some exiting derby games with Farsley v Ossett, Colne v Clitheroe, Lancaster v Kendall & Scarborough v Tadcaster.

Ossett now face Farsley Celtic away on Bank Holiday Monday in a tie that can see Farsley secure the league title if they win.

Ossett beat their neighbours in the reverse fixture and have proved that on their day, they are more than capable of beating any team in this league and will definitely be up for the challenge.

C.O.Y.R.