Ossett United 1-0 Goole AFC
Second half substitute James Walshaw’s late wonder goal handed Ossett United a solitary goal victory and denied lower league Goole AFC a deserved draw.
Walshaw’s headlining act of genius was perhaps predictable given it was his first game back at Ingfield since returning to the place where his outstanding career began.
The ending was cruel on Mike Carmody’s new-look Goole who played really well, especially in the first half – despite marquee signing Carl Stewart being injured.
On first glance Carmody has a great platform to build on if the Vikings are to have a positive campaign in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
Ossett rarely threatened in the opening stanza whereas Goole enjoyed a catalogue of chances, including a penalty.
Goole left-back James Arnold rattled the right-hand post in an early offensive.
Unmarked striker Liam Parker missed a sitter from inside the penalty area before the spot kick.
That came via new signing Luke Williams, the pacy ex-Armthorpe Welfare front-man.
He broke away and only had Ossett goalkeeper Jake Teale to beat. He got his shot away and the ball was heading for the bottom corner until ‘Trialist A’ raced back to hook it off-the-line. It was tremendous defending, but the danger remained and the heroics were almost for nothing as Williams was then brought down.
Josh Schofield stepped up for the penalty and he was denied by Teale’s brilliant diving save.
The second half was harder for Goole as the introduction of Non League legend Walshaw made Ossett more of a threat.
Goole’s top stopper Mat Zaniewski had plenty more to do at first and he denied Walshaw and ‘Trialist B’ in the early stages of the final half.
But that was it until the death when the game had been petering out.
However, Ossett now have a showman in Walshaw – a man who can turn a game without warning. The striker rolled back the years by leaving two Goole players for dead before being brought down outside the penalty area on the left side.
His first free kick hit the wall, but he struck the rebound first time with a volley and the ball nestled in the far top corner, with a little help of the post to win it for Wayne Benn’s men.
Ossett will hope there is more to come on that front from Walshaw when the NPL Division One East season starts next month.
The Teams
Ossett United: Teale, Gagen, Clark, Hogg, Cowgill, Trialist A, Levi-Lewis, Trialist B, Ripley, Connolly, Hussain. Subs: Walshaw, Haswell, Hardaker, Clarkson, Trialist C, Senior, Wray.
Goole AFC: Zaniewski, Schofield, Arnold, Dickinson, Dacre (captain), Wilson, McKeown, Fella, Parker, Williams, Emery. Subs: Pearse, Henderson, Spence, Neale, Cable.
Who Was In Charge
Bobby Madley (10/10)
How Many Were There
286