John Reed’s Ossett Town were beaten 4-0 on the opening day
Ossett Town suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat on the opening day of the Evo Stik Division One North season to last years play-off finalists Northwich Victoria at Ingfield.
Town gave competitive debuts to Tom Morgan, Tyrone Gay, Sam Wright and David Brown. Jake Rose and Ryan Mottley-Hall were introduced in the second half.
The first chance chance fell to Northwich, they broke down the left whipping the ball across the face of goal, Sanogo slid in at the far post and put the ball wide.
Ossett looked to play their way into the game and we just looking to get on top as the half hour approached, passing and probing the side looked to attack.
Northwich Victoria however had other idea’s and took the lead on 27 minutes. An in swinging corner was met by the head of the tall Aboubacar Sanogo, out jumping the Town defence he headed downward and into the goal.
The Reds than had arguably their best spell of the game, first both full backs combined. Jeff sent the ball from his left back position to Daz Lucas, the right back carried the ball forward, Steven Jeff continued his run forward and picked up Lucas’ cross field pass and was clear of the defence. Jeff’s strike beat Griffiths in the visitors goal, but struck the crossbar.
The woodwork, and excellent goalkeeping, came to the visitors rescue just a few minutes later. Lucas helped a corner back into the danger area and this was met by the head of Nathan Curtis, the ball angled towards the top corner but a finger tip save by Griffiths but the ball onto the bar and over.
There was a final chance for Town before the break, Curtis excellently beating his man and striking well from 30 yards, the ball dipped but not enough to trouble the keeper.
Northwich led 1-0 at half time, The Reds had the better of the chances but the more clinical Northwich side had the advantage.
The second half started as the first had finished, with Ossett creating chances, the best fell to Brown, he cut back onto his stronger foot and saw his shot blocked when perhaps a first time strike is what was called for.
Northwich missed a better chance at the other end but did not have long to wait to double their lead. Richard Bennett making it 2-0 on 53 minutes with a smart finish from a left wing cross.
John Reed’s men were not as slick on the ball as they had been during pre-season, competitive football brings with it different pressures of course, and also Northwich Victoria are a much stronger side than anything we faced in the summer.
Iain Howard capitalised on the reds overplaying at the back with 22 minutes remaining as he lifted the ball over Morgan.
Gay went close to a debut goal, heading over as Ovington spectacularly put the ball back into the area and substitute Jake Rose went close as he was inches from connecting with a whipped Jeff cross.
From that chance Northwich quickly sent the ball forward, with Town chasing the game they were short at the back, Josh Amis took full advantage to complete the scoring as he made it 4-0 to the visitors.
Ossett Town: Morgan, Lucas, Jeff (captain), Wood, Gay, Merris, Wright, Payne (Wright 57), Curtis, Ovington (Whiteley 72), Brown (Mottley-Henry 57). Subs unused: Gordon, Pashley.
Referee: Robert Atkin
Attendance: 89