Hemsworth Miners Welfare 4-4 Ossett Albion
Brice Tiani in battle during Hemsworth’s 4-4 draw with Ossett Albion
Nicky Matthews came off the bench to rescue a draw for youthful Ossett Albion with a fortunate last minute equaliser in the pulsating stalemate with Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
Beginning with a missed penalty from Hemsworth captain Jason Yates, whose evening went from the ridiculous to the sublime, Albion held a 2-1 half-time lead.
The Wells then hit three goals in quick succession and seemed to be coasting to victory until the Bojang brothers intervened for Ossett.
There was end-to-end action and spectators certainly got their money’s worth. The night began with Yates’ stint as the comedic turn. If he was attempting to get the crowd chuckling, he was very successful as his fourth minute penalty flew over the crossbar and the huge conifer trees – wasting an opportunity that was created by centre-back Harry Viggars with his magnificent break from his own half.
Ossett made Hemsworth pay almost immediately as their set-piece specialist Rob Bordman showed Yates how it is done. Bordman was never going to miss when he was presented with a free kick on the edge of the Hemsworth box.
Bordman was one of just a handful of familiar faces in the Albion line-up which was made up with a lot of under 19s and reserve team players.
Billy Law levelled for the Wells, but Albion reclaimed the lead just three minutes later. Jimmy Eyles made the break and he beat Sam Leigh from distance with a dipping strike.
Ross Haywood plays a pass
Harry Viggars on his long break from his defence
Nash Connolly congratulates Harry Viggars after the penalty was awarded
Hemsworth captain Jason Yates blasted his penalty over the conifers, but did go onto have an excellent game
Rob Bordman scored a free kick for Ossett Albion
Ossett’s second goal-scorer Jimmy Eyles attempts to hold off Harry Viggars
Hemsworth Miners Welfare manager Wayne Benn
Yates redeemed himself as the hour mark approached. The Wells skipper was brave enough to step up again for a penalty, given after a foul on Dom Blair. With no conifers around, Yates chose to go low and he easily sent Jordan Bradshaw the wrong way – drawing sarcastic cheers when the ball flew into the net.
The midfielder was Hemsworth’s star man on Sunday in the defeat to Tadcaster Albion and take out the penalty miss, he was again. He soon added his second goal of the night with a long range effort, very similar to his strike against Tadcaster.
Hemsworth must have thought they had put Ossett to bed when they scored their third goal in just four minutes. Poor defending from Ossett led to defender Luke Danville scoring with a downward header.
Hemsworth were cruising to the finish line until the Bojang brothers, Gib and Abdou, began causing problems. Abdou brought Albion to within one goal of Hemsworth with a simple tap-in.
Former Thackley striker Matthews then struck gold with an ambitious 25-yard effort which goalkeeper Leigh should have saved.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Leigh, Tonks, Haywood, Tiani, Viggars, Danville, Connolly, Yates (captain), Law, Blair, Jones. Subs: Pugh, Snaith, Pickering, Barrick, Green, Elgin, Cham.
Ossett Albion: Bradshaw, Hennessy, Hardaker, Holt, Maz, Bordman, Wales, Alton, Collins, Eyles. Subs: G Bojang, Hoyle, A Bojang, Matthews, Ndlovu, Howley.
Referee: Gareth Thomas
Attendance: 101
Man of the match: Jason Yates (Hemsworth Miners Welfare)