Connor Bower scored the winning penalty in Ossett Albion’s 1-0 win over Radcliffe Borough. Photo: Adam Hirst
Ossett Albion and Radcliffe Borough fought a tense relegation six-pointer with the home side winning the game a little more comfortably that the 1-0 scoreline suggests.
Connor Bower scored the winner from the penalty spot to push Albion to the brink of securing Evo Stik Division One North football for next season.
Albion spent much of the first half-an-hour inside the visitors half but without ever really troubling Chris Cheetham in the ‘Boro goal.
Bower, whose goals have single-handedly pushed Albion up the table, had one tamely-hit shot easily saved by Cheetham whilst at the other end Brett Souter in the Albion goal was a virtual spectator for much of the half.
The game came to life in the last five minutes of the first half when the home side were awarded a penalty on 45 minutes after Nicky Matthews was fouled as he attempted to turn in the Radcliffe penalty area.
Bower’s penalty was quickly dispatched to the corner of the visitors’ net, despite Cheetham guessing which way to dive correctly.
Two minutes later Bower again broke free down Albion’s left wing. As he attempted to cut inside, the Radcliffe centre-half Richard Smith appeared to mistime his tackle – only for the call for a second penalty to be waved away by referee Robert Atkin.
The second half produced much of the same in the terms of football with both sides relying on the long ball with neither side seemingly having the capability to trouble the opposition’s goalkeeper.
As the half wore on Albion settled into the game, playing the better of what football was played with Bower a constant thorn in the side of the Radcliffe defence.
On 70 minutes Albion had a third strong appeal for a penalty denied when Bower wove past three Radcliffe defenders and was tackled from behind only for the referee to wave the claims away again.
Ross Hardaker was the next to try his luck and his cross-cum-shot fizzed narrowly wide. The home side were unable to find the second goal which would have extinguished any hope the visitors still had of salvaging something from the game.
Radcliffe substitute Yousif Yousif probably should have done better when he headed well wide from Ashford Blake’s cross and that was the nearest Radcliffe came all afternoon to forcing a save from Brett Souter in the home goal.
Ossett Albion: Souter, Nicholson, Hardaker, Lindley, Riordan, Jones, Reece, Sharry (Taylor), Muller, Bower, Matthews (McDonagh). Subs unused: Walker, L.Trice, B.Grech-Brooksbank.
Referee: Rob Atkin
Attendance: 98