Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey hopes his club are granted a reprieve from relegation by the FA
Match Photos are HERE
Ossett Albion are crossing their fingers and toes for confirmation of reprieve from relegation from the Evo Stik Division One North, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Despite losing 3-0 to Padiham at Dimple Wells today, Wakefield FC’s 8-2 drubbing at New Mills ensured that Ossett will finish second bottom.
Mid-table Cammell Laird have resigned their Evo Stik membership and will go down, but due to an FA stipulation that the basement club will be relegated regardless of events elsewhere, Ossett had to go for broke in the final games to leapfrog Wakefield.
Albion won five out of their final eight games to achieve that aim and manager Richard Tracey hopes his side are rewarded by getting the reprieve nod from the FA.
He said: “We have worked hard to get ourselves into a position of second bottom and we have taken the FA’s stance at the start of the season and given ourselves an opportunity of getting a reprieve, which we’re hoping for.
“Our form over the last 12 games has shown we are more than capable of playing at this level.
“Until it (staying up) is a done deal, I won’t be counting our chickens. It’s a case of we have to believe we have done enough.”
By any means necessary: Ossett Albion’s Ryan Harrison has no way to go against Padiham
Going into the Padiham, Ossett knew that a win may have been required to secure the second bottom spot – depending on the score at New Mills.
Although the score-line was 3-0, Ossett’s performance was good and Padiham scored from all three of their chances.
Chris Turner, Mark Sharples and Kieron Pickup all found the net in the second half and Tracey added: “I don’t think you rattle through too much of what they have done in the game.
“We dominated possession from start to finish, but we weren’t clinical and we didn’t create enough chances in the final third, it is as simple as that.
“They have scored an absolute fluke goal and took their only other two chances.”
The first half was a pretty tight affair. Ossett looked solid in defence and caused a few problems going forward.
Padiham caused one problem early on when Pickup’s long range attempt came back off the crossbar, but other than Albion enjoyed a huge amount of possession.
Ryan Harrison – the scorer of Albion’s most important goal of the season at neighbours Town on Easter Monday – went close and former Scarborough striker David Brown forced a good save out of Padiham goalkeeper Sean Davis.
Adam Muller on the attack during Ossett Albion’s 3-0 defeat to Padiham
The tense atmosphere soon changed at half time as news filtered through that Wakefield were losing 6-2 at New Mills. That score-line effectively paled Ossett’s result into the insignificance and even the second half was a drab affair.
Former Guiseley striker Adam Muller shot straight at Davis from inside the area as the final half of the season began and that was the last of Albion’s real chances.
Padiham were fortunate to take the lead on 53 minutes. Ossett goalkeeper Tony Thompson will be having nightmares about this goal which was reminiscent of Ronaldinho’s goal against England at the 2002 World Cup.
Captain Turner was close to the halfway line when he took his long free kick. The ball deceived Thompson and when the stopper realised it was landing in the net, his reach for the ball was big enough to prevent the opening goal .
Padiham soon doubled their lead. Pickup was the supplier with a pass to Sharples on the edge of the box. Veteran defender Steve Nicholson tried to narrow the angle, but Sharples drove the ball down the middle of the goal and past Thompson.
There was some good approach play from Ossett as the game wore on, just no chances to note. Padiham comfortably held on and Steve Wilkes’ side rubbed salt into Albion’s wounds in the final minute with the goal of the game.
Pickup turned his marker 25 yards out and he spectacularly curled the ball into the bottom corner – a strike that got the Padiham bench jumping about.
Ossett trudged off in disappointment at the end, but hopefully smiles will back on faces very soon – once as the FA announce their decision.
Ossett Albion: Thompson, Lucas, Nicholson, Holt (captain), Milnes, Nelson, Brown (Turner 68), Birch (Noble 79), Henson (Brunt 68), Muller, Harrison. Subs unused: Schofield, Hitch.
Padiham: Davis, Carter, Murphy, D Overson, Greaves, Craig, Turner (captain), Sharples, Morrison (Bridson 58), Pickup, Jordan. Sub unused: Bradley, Deakin-Pickard, Parkes, J Overson.
Referee: L Watson (Barnsley)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 227
Man of the match: Steve Nicholson (Ossett Albion)
Clubs finishing in a relegation position should be relegated come what may even if means promoting additional clubs..