Ossett Town striker Rob Bordman turns away from Paul Sykes in the 1-1 draw with AFC Emley
To see the complete set of match photos, click HERE to visit our popular Facebook page
Words and pictures by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
Darren Hepworth believes AFC Emley are moving in the “right direction” after his side held Evo Stik Division One North side Ossett Town to a 1-1 draw last night.
Emley almost caused a shock result as Hepworth’s men created plenty of chances in the stalemate at the Welfare Ground – 12 months on from when Ossett thrashed Emley 7-1 in a friendly.
Despite a really positive start to the game, Emley found themselves a goal down due to Nathan Curtis’ strike.
Toolstation NCEL Division One outfit Emley equalised through centre-half Sam Jerome and both sides had good chances to win the friendly.
Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire: “It’s a step in the right direction.
“Ossett are quality opposition so it was a big test for us and a big part of our preparation in pre-season.
“Compared to where we were 12 months ago, it is a real step-up. We’re just glad at Ossett came up and had a game with us tonight.
“We started well and I thought we moved the ball well all night and it is something we have worked hard on during pre-season.
“We’re trying a new system this year and the lads have taken to it really well. It’s an attacking system and it’s based on getting behind the ball and moving it quickly.
“We have players who are able to create chances out of nothing and I’ve said to them tonight that I would pay good money to watch them. That’s how I like to set my teams out, I like to play a brand of football that is entertaining.
“Managers will talk about results don’t matter in pre-season, but they do to a certain extent because they build confidence.
“Going to Yorkshire Amateur last season on the back of a hammering by Ossett wasn’t the ideal way we wanted pre-season to end.”
Emley’s starting line-up contained just new name – youngster Michael Starkey. New striker Nathan Perks appeared as a second half substitute.
The home side were really quick out of the blocks and put lots on pressure on Ossett goalkeeper Sam Dobbs and his defence.
New Ossett Town striker Nathan Curtis opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with AFC Emley
Emley dominated for the opening ten minutes and then on their first attack, Ossett scored. The visitors won a generous free kick close to the right-wing corner flag, which Rob Bordman – a full seven days since his sensational free kick against Bradford City – decided to take.
Bordman hit the post from an impossible angle and the ball rebounded out of the six yard box and Curtis was on hand to ensure Ossett gained the lead.
Emley responded positively and soon levelled the match when Jerome headed home a corner.
There were plenty of changes in the second half so it did take a while for the final 45 minutes to really start springing into life – and it was Emley who were taking the game to Ossett.
Max Leonard had hit the post, while returning striker Adam Todd had two shots blocked.
Perks was also a threat with his pace and the striker saw a thunderous strike charged down.
Emley subsitute Antony Brown should have won the game in the dying embers. Brown was unmarked and only a few yards out, but his weak header was easy meat for Town stopper Jay Bentley.
Brown nearly lived to rue the miss moments later when Ossett captain Steven Jeff’s header hit the post and then Joe O’Neil’s rebound attempt was booted off-the-line.
That brought an entertaining encounter to a close. Hepworth and Emley know they can take great positives from the draw as they look to mount a promotion bid once again this season.
AFC Emley: Lawlor, McIntosh, Starkey, Ingham, Sykes, Tunnacliffe, Leonard, Kenworthy, Hallam, Jordan. Subs: Todd, Stewart, Leech, Brook, Brown, Perks, Wadsworth.
Ossett Town: Dobbs, Turfrey, Jeff, Wood, Armstrong, Merris, Branagan, Patterson, Wood, Bordman, Curtis. Subs: Fletcher, Blackburn, Whiteley, O’Neil. Davies, Dixon, Bentley.
Referee: M Collins