Jimmy Eyles scored twice as Ossett Town ended Curzon’s unbeaten league run
Craig Elliott hailed his players after Ossett Town ended promotion hopefuls Curzon Ashton’s unbeaten Evo Stik Division One North record at Ingfield, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Two Jimmy Eyles goals, either side of half-time, put Ossett on their way to a memorable victory which lifts them to 14th in the table.
Jonathan Hunt pulled a goal back for Curzon on the hour mark, but Town were able to hold onto the precious lead with relative ease and Elliott was delighted.
Ossett recently endured a four match losing run in the league which saw them plummet as low as 18th and Elliott admits the Curzon result makes up for the bad luck.
“I’m delighted for the lads more than anybody because they have come under a bit of stick in the last month and now we’ve had a good two weeks,” he told Sports Performer.
“I’m chuffed for them and they got a bit of glory tonight. Curzon were unbeaten and you have to respect that and we had a game-plan to sort of keep our shape and hit them on the break and we did that.
“We created a few chances and you have to expect them to have more possession and a bit more confidence. But, I can’t fault my lads. I thought we were worthy of being in front.
“I knew the last 20 minutes were going to be difficult no matter what the score was as you don’t go unbeaten into December without being a good side with a good spirit.
“We were always going to need a bit of luck and we have had that tonight. We said that they would come out for the second half with a high tempo and I thought if we could get through the first ten minutes then we might nick another goal.
“We probably got a goal earlier than I wanted to because I knew they would push on. But it is about taking your chances and we took them tonight. We lost a few games in November when we didn’t take our chances.”
Ossett Town boss Craig Elliott praised his players after the Curzon victory
Curzon were the better side in the opening 30 minutes which saw three yellow cards awarded. Ossett’s Richard Patterson and Curzon pair Niall Cummins and Sam Walker were cautioned.
Cummins was the first player to test Ossett goalkeeper Sam Dobbs with a long range attempt that flew just over the crossbar. Former Farsley midfielder Ryan Watson then wasted a glorious chance that would have probably seen the game take a totally different direction.
Right-back Joel Bembo-Leta made a surging run forward on the right-wing before cutting inside. Bembo-Leta saw Watson advancing on the left of him and played the pass. Dobbs came racing out, but Watson still had the upper hand and seemed destined to score. However, the midfielder dragged his shot well wide of the goal and Ossett survived and took full advantage of the missed chance nine minutes later.
Fernando Moke’s pass allowed Eyles to sprint away from the Curzon defence and the young striker coolly lifted the ball over the on-rushing Dave Carnell in the visitors’ goal.
The Ossett defence was busy in the early part of the second half, but Dobbs was able to prevent an equaliser and the home side then enjoyed a good ten minute spell.
Eyles forced a good save out of Carnell and then within 60 seconds the second goal arrived. Right-back Gary Stohrer played a good ball into Eyles who was standing on the penalty spot. The former Nostell striker got the better of Bembo-Leta and a collision between the right-back and Carnell allowed Eyles to roll the ball into the empty net.
Curzon were staring down the barrel of their first league defeat of the season, but John Flanagan’s side were surrender their record without a fight. Curzon responded inside six minutes when Walker’s pass allowed Hunt to hammer the ball past Dobbs from 12 yards.
Ossett must have been worried by the goal and few would have not bet against Curzon equalising or even winning the encounter.
But, Ossett rolled up their sleeves and defended bravely. Ossett captain and centre-half Ryan Qualter and his defence were tested, but goalkeeper Dobbs was never properly troubled.
Six minutes of injury-time were added at the end. Dobbs became the seventh player to be cautioned when he was harshly yellow carded for time-wasting.
Substitute Chris Wood should have sealed the points for Ossett in the dying embers after Luke Sharry sent the striker away. Carnell was even on the ground when Wood chose to go round him before making a mess of his chance.
Fortunately it did not matter and Ossett were able to celebrate a victory that will go down as one of their best this season.
Ossett Town: Dobbs, Stohrer, Jeff, D Patterson, Connor, Qualter (captain), R Patterson, Sharry, Eyles (Fisher 83), Ward (C Wood 90), Moke (N Wood 88). Sub unused: Fox.
Curzon Ashton: Carnell, Bembo-Leta, Minor (Bett 86), Hunt, Woodford, Young, Rowney (Warburton 71), Walker (captain), Brook, Watson, Cummins. Subs unused: Horrocks, Kay, Dale.
Referee: Mr C Woodall
Attendance: 94
Man of the match: Jimmy Eyles (Ossett Town)