Sam Akeroyd in battle against Bradford City. Picture: Mark Gledhill
Ossett Town continued their unbeaten start to pre-season with 3-2 win at home to a Bradford City XI.
The encounter was an enthralling watch for the 141 spectators at The 4G Voice & Data Stadium and included a first minute goal and a dramatic last minute penalty.
John Reed’s men were looking to build on their 3-1 win away at Hemsworth Miners Welfare in mid week and made a start even Usain Bolt would be proud of. With the first attack of the game Ossett Town forced a corner and a well structured set piece was headed home by Josh Whiteley at the near post. Not a bad feat for the smallest man on the pitch.
Town continued to press City but it was the Bantams who came close next, Tom Morgan forced into a reflex save, before Reece Webb Foster was denied by the woodwork.
The smallest player on the pitch, Josh Whiteley, heads Ossett ahead. Picture: Mark Gledhill
Tom Smith celebrates his goal. Picture: Mark Gledhill
Town made eight changes at the interval and in truth this showed for the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Bradford came out all guns blazing, with second half introduction Giovanni Landu testing Ciaran Gibson in the Ossett Town goal. It looked for all the world like a Bradford would equalise, but it was town who struck again.
A neat attacking move saw Tom Smith picked out on the edge of the area, before he moved inside the Bradford centre back and curled in a beauty with his right foot. The Bradford pressure did however tell just a minute later, with the dangerous Landu beating Gibson from close range after neat build up with Bilal Qsiyer.
City then had a goal chalked off for offside, much to the relief of the Town faithful.
Town then broke on the counter attack again and won a free kick on the edge of the City box.
Sam Akeroyd stepped up to swing in a beautiful delivery that was met by the grateful head of acting captain Nick wood, the ball flying past Chandler Hallwood. With the game at the 80 minute mark an Ossett Town win looked assured.
Bradford’s young side kept their heads up and dominated the final proceedings. Gibson was forced into more smart saves and the pressure final told with Bradford winning a penalty in stoppage time, after shirt pulling in the box.
Bilal Qsiyer stepped up confidently and sent Gibson the wrong way. Bradford rushed to restart the game, but time was up and Ossett Town’s impressive start to pre season continued.
Ossett Town (first half): Morgan, Exton, Jeff, Wood, Pashley, Merris, Crook, Payne, Curtis, Ovington, Whiteley. Second half subs: Gibson, Nigue, Merris, Slater, Akeroyd, Brooks, Gordon, Smith, Quinlan.
Bradford City: Hallwood, Boateng, Waters, Omolokun, Mellor, Xander McBurnie, Ville Monaghan, Danny Devine, Reece Webb-Foster, Bilal Qsiyer, Hudson. Subs: Landu, Patience, Payne, Peters.
Referee: Mark Haywood
Attendance: 141
Thanks to Dave Naylor for this report. You can submit your club’s reports and team-lists to Non League Yorkshire by email at info@nonleagueyorkshire.com.