Ossett Albion goal-scorer Connor McDonagh battles in the 3-2 win over Kendal Town. Picture: John Hirst
Ossett Albion produced their best performance of the season to deservedly claim all three points from a 3-2 victory over Kendal Town at Our Physio Stadium.
The Evo Stik Division One North match was only four minutes old when Steve Nicholson was injured and had to be substituted by James Riordan. A minute later, with the Albion defence still trying to sort itself out, Kendal attacked down the right and a cross to the far post found Craig Carney all on his own. He had the simple task of heading Kendal into the lead from close range.
From then on the teams were evenly matched as Albion worked hard to get back into the game. Both teams played some good football and with only five minutes to go to the interval, Kendal had two really good chances which they failed to convert.
Just to make their missed chances even worse, in the 44th minute Albion struck back to get on level terms. Conor McDonagh got the ball on the right and cut into the box and fired across Stuart Dixon, the Kendal goalkeeper, into the net. Then within a minute debutant Conner Bower was through one on one with the goalkeeper but failed to beat him.
Connor Bower lobbed the goalkeeper and scored on his Ossett Albion debut. Picture: John Hirst
Albion came out in attacking mood for the second half and within four minutes of the restart they had taken the lead. Bower broke down the right and lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper who got a hand to the ball to push it onto the bar. Albion had luck on their side and the ball dropped down and spun into the net.
Albion didn’t sit back and try to defend. Instead they played some good attacking football and created numerous openings without extending the lead.
Time and again their shots went just wide and the feeling grew that they might be punished for not taking their chances. However in the closing minutes good work by Darol Lucas down the right resulted in the ball being lofted to the far post where Ross Hardaker headed the ball home.
Ossett nervously held on as the referee found almost ten minutes of added time which allowed Kendal to grab a second goal through Nick Rogan.
Fortunately Albion hung on for the win.
Ossett Albion : Souter, Walker, Rothel, Nicholson (J.Riordan (Lucas), Milnes, D.Riordan, Nelson, Jones, Bower (Hardaker), McDonagh, Matthews. Subs unused: Grech-Brooksbank, Brunt.