A group of Ossett Albion players congratulate Luke Sharry after his cross caused Nick Wood to score an own goal
Resurgent Ossett Albion pulled off a Boxing Day massacre by memorably putting their arch rivals Ossett Town to the sword with a 3-0 victory on enemy territory.
The win pushes Albion further away from the Evo Stik Division One North relegation zone and leaves John Reed’s woeful Town looking over their shoulders.
The derby day clash was a nightmare from start to finish for Town. For Albion it was a result that their supporters will be dining out on for months.
Nick Wood’s first half own goal set Albion on their way. Two quick-fire strikes on the hour from Kane Reece and in-form hit-man Connor Bower finished the job off.
Albion fans were chanting ‘easy, easy, easy’ when Bower celebrated his goal.
The win goes down as a marker of the progress Albion have made in 2014.
How the two club’s individual fortunes have changed in a year is quite remarkable.
Last Christmas Town were on a roll and heading for the play-offs under Craig Elliott.
Richard Tracey was at his lowest ebb as Albion manager as the club were facing relegation back to the Northern Counties East League.
Now the roles have been switched – although Town do have plenty of time and games in hand to quickly lift themselves away from their fourth-bottom position.
Town’s slump down the table has been alarming to say the least.
Albion’s second goal-scorer Connor Bower battles for the ball
Connor Bower came back to haunt the side he played briefly for during October
Chris Wood during a rare Ossett Town attack
Reed’s men have won just twice in the league since the end of September. The club have been besieged by postponements in December and hadn’t played since the last Saturday of November until yesterday.
Reed had used the free time to train hard and recruit heavily. Three of his five new faces featured – Darol Lucas, Mike Brewster and Vill Powell. Ironically, Lucas had left Albion to ‘cross the floor’ to Town and made his debut in the match.
However, the hard work was undone within an hour in a game of few chances. Crucially, Albion won the midfield battle with new signing Luke Sharry pulling the strings.
Town were not a threat going forward and all their pressure was easily soaked up.
Albion did not create much themselves, but they took their chances. It was Sharry’s excellent cross that helped them take the lead on the half hour mark.
Town stood like statues as Sharry’s cross from the left-wing hit the stationary and unpressurised Wood and trickled past Brad Dixon and found the net with the help of the post.
Town enjoyed a good spell at the start of the second half with Chris Ovington going the closest with a free kick.
However, the positive period was all for nothing. Bower, who was released by Town over five weeks ago, cut himself loose on the right wing.
The former Garforth Town striker then made it to byline in the six-yard-box. He passed the ball back towards Kane Reece and the young winger couldn’t miss with a close range finish.
The Albion bench and their spectators were jumping up and down knowing that victory was within their grasp.
Reed called for his reinforcements, but while Powell and Tom Smith were getting ready, the match was gone.
Town lost the ball almost straight from the kick-off with Brewster giving possession away. Adam Jones accepted the gift and sent Bower through.
The striker’s low effort was parried by Dixon, but the ball flew backwards and slowly made its way into the net to seal the points.
Tracey and his bench were up, celebrating like revellers at a disco – but who could blame them?
Town’s fight was lost. Albion had firmly planted their flag in the pitch.
The visitors saw the game out with ease and they were able to a win that both clubs will remember for a long time – for different reasons.
Triumphant Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey:
“A professional job.
“It was a bit of a game of no real chances early doors and then an own goal with no real pressure in the box.
“It gave us something to hold onto. They had a 15 minute spell where they penned us in, but we did what other teams have done to us by nicking a second and then a third almost immediately.
“We were then professional in the job in terms of managing the game and seeing it out to the 90th minute.
“The win has to be right up there (in terms of wins this season) because it is a derby victory away from home.
“I must say that this is a lucky ground for me as I have managed here three times and we have got seven points so I can’t complain.”
Ossett Town manager John Reed:
“It was very disappointing for the chairman and the people of Ossett Town.
“It hurts me tremendously. I would have to say that was the worst game I have seen since I came to the club last February.
“We were playing our fiercest rivals and it was heartless, there was a lack of desire. It was really poor.
“The game changed dramatically with the first goal when they put a ball in the and there wasn’t one Ossett Albion within ten yards of it.
“At half-time, 1-0, I don’t think either side had created anything…But, 3-0 at home to Ossett Albion is not acceptable. I repeat that, not acceptable.”
Ossett Town: Dixon, Lucas, Merris, Wood, Allott (captain), Armstrong, Ovington, Brewster (Smith 65), Wood (Powell 65), Chambers (Whiteley 78), D Patterson. Subs unused: Pashley, Backhouse.
Ossett Albion: Bennett, Nicholson, Hardaker, Jones, Milnes (captain), D Riordan (Trice 53), Reece, Sharry, Bower, Grech-Brooksbank (Taylor 60), Muller (Matthews 75). Subs unused: Walker, Souter.
Referee: Luke Watson
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 314
Man of the match: Luke Sharry (Ossett Albion)
Look out for more interesting comments from John Reed and Richard Tracey tonight.
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