Evo Stik Division One North
Ossett Albion 0-2 Radcliffe Borough
Ossett Albion striker Rob Bordman’s second half penalty was saved.
Ossett Albion’s play-offs hopes took a knock after a poor performance in the defeat to relegation-threatened Radcliffe Borough.
The result did no favours for Harrogate Railway and Ossett Town, who are seven and five points behind Radcliffe at the foot of the table.
Albion were way off the pace. There was a suspicion of offside about the opener, but Albion’s defence allowed Radcliffe’s veteran forward Jody Banim take down a long ball and then turn and finish past Brett Souter inside the penalty area.
Radcliffe could have easily gone further in front towards half-time. Souter made an excellent save when tipping Banim’s free kick from just outside the penalty over the crossbar. The former Droylsden forward also watched a curling effort flash just past the far post.
Ossett’s night got worse when player/chairman Dom Riordan had to come off with concussion.
The decisive second goal came from the penalty spot after a foul by captain Danny South. Souter remained stationary on the spot as Sam McMahon placed the ball in the bottom right-hand corner.
For a brief flicker, Albion did get some hope as Rob Bordman won a penalty. However, the normally-reliable Bordman’s spot kick was superbly saved by Chris Cheetham. The rebound dropped nicely, but under pressure from several Radcliffe defenders, Bordman blazed the ball over the crossbar.
Cheetham made a smart stop later on from Nicky Matthews, but Albion offered little and deserved nothing.
Ossett Albion manager Richard Tracey:
Ossett Albion: Souter, Nicholson, Hardaker, Sharry, South (captain), Riordan (Dawson HT), Lyn (Jones 58), Kerr, Bordman, Eyles (Brunt 65), Matthews. Subs unused: Paylor, Thompson.
Radcliffe Borough: Cheetham, Middleton, Forbes, Valentine, Lafferty (captain), Bainbridge, Crook, Davies, McMahon, Banim (Hulme 81), Rokka. Subs unused: Ashburner, Hindle, Burey, Landregan.
Referee: Adam Smith
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 96
Man of the match: Jody Banim (Radcliffe Borough)