Ossett Albion 2 - Garforth Town 1

Garforth could not do the double in Ossett this week, as a fine victory over NPL side Town was followed by a subsequent slip up to Albion in the league. A cold wind precluded effective high passes and affected play, and the Miner’s were unable to overcome neither the elements nor a home side who regained the lead immediately after Lee Connor’s equaliser.

Ossett earned two early corners, both of which showed the dangers of playing against the strong wind. Gibbons produced a good save in the 7th; palming the Ossett playmaker’s shot wide of his near post. Town tried to respond with balls played up the right channel, but the wind scuppered many of these attacks. The first moment of real penetrative play came from Garforth midfielder Duncan Williams, who claimed the ball on halfway and curled a swerving through ball for Andy Hayward, though the veteran goalscorer of mid-week could not latch onto it in time.

Moments later, indecision and the elements helped Albion take the lead. Ossett’s left fullback laid off Jason Bentley, who was allowed to approach the Garforth box before unleashing. The wind did the rest.

Undeterred, Town replied with more work from the right flank involving Rowan, Duncan and George Williams, Wayne Harratt and Dom Blair but to no avail. Balls played high into the Ossett area served only to highlight Neil Bennett’s adeptness as a forceful goalkeeper, showing us ‘The Superman Punch’ several times when denying the visiting attackers.

Brett Renshaw burst into the box from the right but was clearly brought down. Despite this, only a corner was awarded despite the Albion defender having never touched the ball.

The second half saw the sides nullify each other initially, and it was not until the 58th minute that a clear-cut chance was created. It would be Ossett who fluffed the one on one with Gibbons.

On 70, Carl Fox tried a lobbed effort from distance that Bennett was equal to. Only minutes later, Town earned corner after a period of pressure, and Lee Connor rose to toweringly convert the cross and regain parity for the visitors. Alas, only a hundred seconds elapsed before Town conceded a soft goal to Joseph Thornton, and the advantage was blown.

While the rest of the game belonged to Garforth, the points belonged to Ossett, whose sporting performance in the final fifteen resembled Eubank protecting a points lead in the 12th round. Bryce showed some dexterity on the left before cutting in and chipping Harratt through, though the big Barnsley man could not connect with his swivel and shot. Another saved shot led to a corner that Lee met once more, but this time a perceptive defender was able to clear from the goal line. Connor again met a corner minutes later, though the veteran centre back could only fire his header just over. Substitute Graham Marchant tried his luck with a shot on 88 following a midfield interchange with Bryce in what would be Garforth’s penultimate chance. Finally, when Renshaw’s header from yet another corner was cleared from the goal line in stoppage time, it was clear that Ossett would be a town of mixed fortunes for the Miner’s this week, who will look to rebuild at home next Saturday against Rossendale United.

Ossett Town 1 - Garforth Town 2

The travelling Miner’s earned a semi-final berth in the West Riding County Cup with a hard fought victory over the in-form Northern Premier League outfit Ossett Town, who have lost once in their last thirteen outings. A brace from Andy Hayward sealed the win, with a stunning 40yard strike sandwiched in between from Ossett’s Nathan Hay to enliven second half.

Man of the match Luke Gibbons suffered a first half bombardment on the Garforth goal, Ossett blitzkrieg that he survived like a wartime cockney to send the visitors into the second period with an excellent shot-stopping display. Crowd-pleasing saves in the 20th, 24th, 30th and 41st minutes kept Garforth in the game, and Town responded with a well-worked goal. A chipped free kick from Duncan Williams was flicked into Hayward’s path, and the veteran striker duly converted with a placed header.

While Garforth came close after an interchange between Greg Kelly and Hayward, and through a left footed effort from Wayne Harratt, Ossett proved adept at effectively shutting down Garforth attacks. The tables were turned in the second half, which undeniably saw the pugnacious visitors mount sustained pressure.

Nonetheless, a lightning bolt of a strike saw the hosts regain parity when Nathan Hay unloaded from distance. While the goal did not warrant the ridiculous noises one player made from the celebratory huddle, it was indeed a fine goal.

Greg Kelly almost put the Miner’s back in front with a blistering shot from 18 yards. The effort blazed just over and nearly decapitated one of the away fans behind the goal. Sadly, the shot produced neither the goal nor the always-entertaining spectator knockout.

A long period with no clear-cut chances ensued, though on 76minutes the indefatigable Fidel tried with a speculative effort. One Ossett defender barely made it past Fidel with a botched Maradona turn, which turned out to portent a bad omen for the hosts.

The 90th minute arrived, with a deadlock. Step up Ossett’s goalkeeper. A disastrous clearance fell straight to Garforth striker Andy ‘The Predator’ Hayward, who emphatically converted the late Christmas present to send Garforth into the semi-finals, with a deserved victory over a Northern Premier League team. The win takes Garforth’s record against teams from higher leagues to three wins, one draw and one loss from five cup ties. The win over Ossett is a fine winter boost, and next up are their neighbours Albion. War Garforth!