Evo Stik Division One North
Droylsden 1-2 Ossett Albion
Rob Bordman got the goals as Ossett Albion snatched a victory out of the jaws of defeat. Picture: Adam Hirst
Ossett Albion, armed with their two new star signings, gave their play-offs hopes a real shot in the arm after a ending a run of three straight defeats.
Scott Kerr and Danny Frost were both handed places in Richard Tracey’s starting line-up, but Rob Bordman stole the headlines with two goals towards the end to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat.
The game was played on a somewhat difficult surface but, given that was the case, both sides tried to play bright attacking football but were often let down by the pitch. Both sides opened brightly and after eight minutes Droylsden almost took the lead. A cross from their right was whipped on to the Albion crossbar by the deceptively strong wind and then cleared to safety.
Dominic Riordan had Albion’s best chance of the half when he headed Bordman’s in-swinging corner against the bar. Ossett were unable to capitalise on this and Droylsden scrambled the ball to safety.
Albion began the second half brightly and first Ross Hardaker sent his swerving shot just wide of the post and then Bordman shot straight at Steve James in the home goal. Droylsden took the lead in controversial circumstances when a harmless cross from their right appeared to hit Kieran Thompson on the arm. The penalty was dispatched into the corner of Brett Souter’s goal by Ben Barber.
Albion then gradually took control of the game and on 72 minutes, Brett Souter’s long punt found Bordman, who flicked the ball over Droylsden’s Ben Hampson. Bordman went past Hampson regathering the ball and his delightfully flighted chip beat the stranded Droylsden ‘keeper and nestled in the back of the home net. Five minutes later Albion struck the winner when Souter and Bordman combined again. This time Bordman took the ball round James in the Droylsden goal and rolled the ball into an empty net.
Ossett Albion: Souter, Thompson, Hardaker, Claisse, Riordan, Nicholson Brunt, Kerr, Bordman, Frost, Muller. Subs not used: Paylor, Walker, Hoyle.