Evo Stik Division One North
Ossett Albion 2-2 Clitheroe
Connor Brunt hit the late equaliser for Ossett Albion against Clitheroe. Picture: John Hirst
Connor Brunt got the equaliser as Ossett Albion had to come from two goals down to earn a point on the opening day of the Evo Stik League season.
Albion started well and put early pressure on the visitors. A cross from Rob Bordman found Danny South rising above the defenders in the middle but he could only head the ball straight at Christopher Thompson in the Clitheroe goal.
On the 29th minute Clitheroe attacked down the left and the cross came to Kurt Willoughby who fired the ball across Brett Souter into the bottom right corner. This had been Clitheroe’s first shot on target.
Just before the interval a Clitheroe header across the Albion goal could have doubled the score, but Declan Dawson was at the post to steer the ball away.
The second half saw Clitheroe attacking with purpose for the first ten minutes but then Albion began to play better football. Bordman weaved his way past two men in the area but couldn’t get his shot away.
Then Albion gifted a second goal to the visitors. A throw-in by Dawson bounced over Souter and Dimitri Tuanzebe rolled the ball into the net.
This seemed to spur Albion to greater efforts and a ball down the right was crossed into the centre for Ben Walker to finish with a powerful shot. Albion created more chances but were unable to find a finish.
In the 85th minute Connor Brunt took a free-kick from the left and curled it into the top corner to beat Thompson in the Clitheroe goal.
With the scores level it was Albion who were dominating now but Clitheroe managed to hang on for a point.
The Team
Ossett Albion: Souter, Dawson, Thompson, Holt (Walker), South, Riordan, Bojang (Matthews), Paylor, Bordman (Brunt), Muller, Eyles. Subs unused: Ndlovu, Bradshaw.