Fernando Moke scored Ossett’s opening goal
Referee Justin Hayes was at the centre of controversy as ten man Ossett Town fell to a 3-2 defeat at Clitheroe – leaving Craig Elliott furious, writes James Grayson.
Ossett, the October winners of the Division One North Fair Play award, were the dominant side in the first half and led 1-0 at the break following Fernando Moke’s spectacular lob.
However, the game changed direction one minute into the second half. Centre-back Shaun Connor was deemed to have handled the ball and also denied a goal-scoring opportunity which meant he was shown a straight red card. Scott Bakkor slammed home the penalty.
More controversy followed on the hour when Hayes awarded a second spot kick – this time claiming Andrew Fox had handled, much to the anger of the Ossett players. Bakkor converted the penalty to put Clitheroe ahead.
Bakkor completed his hat-trick five minutes later after mix-up involving debutant goalkeeper Rob Peet and that sealed the three points for the home side.
Luke Sharry gave Ossett late hope, but the damage had been done and manager Elliott said: “It is very rare I blame referees and mine and the team’s good discipline is shown by the fact we are at the top of the fair play league.
“However, without a doubt, the referee cost us the game by giving two handball decisions and also sending Shaun Connor off when the first one was given.
“We were in total control in the first half and then the referee has made two bad errors. You know it is bad when opposition players and supporters are agreeing with you and laughing at his decisions.
“But, I’m proud about my players kept their discipline in these circumstances.”
Game off: Mark Jackson had no complaints
Due to the defeat Ossett have dropped to 16th, 11 points behind fourth-placed Farsley AFC, who made it to Curzon Ashton, but had their match postponed at 2.20pm after a deluge of rain.
A bad spell of hail stones left the pitch waterlogged and referee Mark Cunliffe had no option but to call if off and Farsley assistant manager Mark Jackson had no complaints.
“I think it was the right decision,” he told Sports Performer.
“Even as we were getting in our cars the rain was coming down. It is a shame as we were desperate to play.
“But, you have to look at the bigger picture and if we had played as it could have been it for the season for the pitch. You have to be sensible about these things as there was a lot of slush on it.
“It is always a hard decision for the referee, but I think it was the right one.”
Wakefield FC suffered an embarrassing 9-4 home defeat to Lancaster City.
Rob Bordman continued his hot streak with two goals in a game that saw Ross Hardaker and John Douglas also score.
Ossett Albion remain bottom of the pile following a 2-1 defeat to Salford City at Dimple Wells.
Tyrone Gay had given Albion the lead, but Salford scored two second half goals to earn a crucial three points.
Harrogate Railway lost 3-0 at Bamber Bridge.
In Division One South, David Holdsworth celebrated back-to-back wins for Goole AFC.
Goole beat Bedworth United 3-1 with David Taylor, Thomas Wakefield and William Johnson-Cole scoring.
Lewis Clarkson, understood to be under scrutiny from the likes of Leeds United, scored the only goal in Scarborough Athletic’s 1-0 over Chasetown.
Scarborough are 12th in the table, but have games in hand which could take them to the cusp of the play-offs.
Frickley Athletic earned a dramatic 4-3 victory in a see-saw clash with Skelmersdale United, who started the day as Premier Division leaders.
Sam Denton, Gavin Allott and Jake Picton gave Frickley a 3-0 half-time, but two goals pegged Frickley. Allott scored again with 12 minutes remaining and despite conceding another goal, Frickley held on for three points.
Struggling Stocksbridge Park Steels lost 2-1 at Nantwich Town – Danny South on the score-sheet for the Steels.