Chris Ovington scored for Ossett Town in the 2-1 defeat at Armthorpe Welfare
Ossett Town suffered a second defeat to a Toolstation NCEL club in three days following a 2-1 loss at Armthorpe Welfare.
There were two new faces on show for Ossett. In the first half, former Garforth Town midfielder Jay Davis put in a strong performance until a poor tackle ended his afternoon after 40 minutes.
In the second half Jake Rose controlled play excellently from a central midfield position.
The Reds started the game well, much sharper than in the first half at AFC Emley and had early chances to take the lead.
Armthorpe then had a strong spell for a period of the half and did something that Ossett Town have struggled to do now for two games, which is make the break through. They capitalised on a slip in the Ossett Town defence and took full advantage taking a lead, through Darren Mansaram, held until half time.
Davis was causing problems down the Armthorpe right, and had a couple of efforts that went close then from the free-kick that saw Davies forced from play Sam Pashley powered a header goal bound that was excellently tipped onto the cross bar by the home keeper.
John Reed once again made a number of changes at half time which saw the Reds control much of the half with some excellent football, sadly the end product is just not there, but the side are playing the right way and are very close.
Chris Ovington drew the sides level, a quick Sanchez Payne free-kick found Curtis who played the ball through to the ever impressive Ovington.
He took the ball into the area and lifted the ball over the diving keeper. Town should have gone on and made the pressure pay, and almost did.
First Daz Lucas finished an excellent passing move with a 20 yard strike that curled wickedly, and agonizingly, just wide of the top corner.
Rose took the ball from Gibson in the Reds goal and drove forward into the Armthorpe half, he released Tom Smith who took the ball wide of the keeper before sliding a drive onto the post and away, much to Armthorpe’s relief.
With time ticking away, a rare Armthorpe attack ended with a corner – a decision that Ossett disputed. Armthorpe took full advantage of their luck scoring the winner through James Handley who beat Curtis at the far post and struck home.
John Reed now has two further friendlies, away to Athersley Recreation on Tuesday evening, and then a home game with Frickley Athletic to prepare the side for the opening league game on 15 August when Ossett host Northwich Victoria.
Ossett Town: Gibson, Lucas, Jeff, Gay, Pashley, Merris, Gordon, Akeroyd, Curtis, Ovington, Davis. Subs: Slater, Smith, Payne, Rose, Grayson.