Danny Patterson was exceptional for Ossett Town
Whilst the furore surrounding the referee’s performance and subsequent handshake snub at full-time took centre-stage, Ossett Town’s magnificent backs-to-the-wall display should not be forgotten.
Ossett had to play for 70 minutes with ten men against Farsley side that are third in the Evo Stik Division One North and had won 11 and drawn one of their last 12 games.
Captain Richard Patterson’s red card calmed a volatile game down and Ossett’s defensive display was a joy to watch for coaches. Patterson’s brother Danny sat in front of the back four and he was exceptional in his role that helped keep Farsley at bay.
As game wore-on a 0-0 draw was on the cards, but then the unlikely happened. Patterson played the through ball and Jimmy Eyles put Ossett ahead.
Farsley were always going to throw the kitchen sink in search of an equaliser, but only a first class finish from Aiden Savory saved the home side.
A point was the least Ossett deserved. However, the cost of the game will be a huge price for a club that cut its playing budget last week. Patterson will get three matches for a red card that he can have no complaints over.
The six yellow cards that Ossett received will also earn them an automatic fine from the FA. Town boss Craig Elliott is likely to receive a letter as well as referee David Benton informed him that he had been “dismissed” after the final whistle for alleged foul and abusive language.
This is an excellent young manager whose disciplinary record at his previous club Glasshoughton Welfare and now Ossett is exemplary. Elliott is someone who rarely swears on the side-lines at anyone so for him to be accused of such a thing is quite staggering.
Referee David Benton’s performance was criticised by Ossett Town manager Craig Elliott
Whether the FA will investigate Benton’s flame-throwing approach is a different matter. The headline-grabbing official has now been at the centre of two controversial Non-League matches in the space of just three weeks which both involved clubs who were in the top four of their respective Fair Play leagues.
On the 4th January, Benton cautioned Garforth Town midfielder Tawanda Rupere for ‘pulling his sock up’ and then later sent off him for a foul – a decision that the video of the game proved was clearly incorrect.
Four Garforth players were yellow carded in that match and then yesterday, an unnecessary caution for Farsley skipper Robbie O’Brien after six minutes set a ridiculous tone. Players became agitated and the scenes at the final whistle were embarrassing.
Benton was visibly seen to decline to Elliott’s handshake in front of the main stand and this only inflamed the situation. The official should have just shaken Elliott’s hand and he walked into the dressing room without further incident, the scenes that followed would not have happened.
But with most of the players and coaches watching, he refused to stick his hand out. This caused more friction and when goalkeeper Sam Dobbs gave his verdict on the official, it took Ossett over the six yellow card fine threshold.
Benton’s display will be remembered, but it should not take the shine off a marvellous defensive display from Ossett that fully warranted their point.