Browse Sections

• Local football
• Local cricket

Ashton United 2 Ossett Town 1

8/10/2008

ASHTON got back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Ossett on Saturday.

They did it the hard way though, after scoring an own goal to give their visitors the lead and then surviving a penalty deep into stoppage time, which was saved by the excellent Terry Smith.

The Yorkshire side started the match well and played with a confidence that belied their lowly league position.

Rob O’Brien came close to opening the scoring with a shot that struck the upright, and the same player forced Smith to make the first of several good saves, pushing the ball away for a corner, from which the visitors took the lead.

The ball was initially cleared, but Aiden Savory’s shot on goal was sliced into the top corner by the unfortunate Nathan Wharton’s attempted clearance.

The Ashton ‘keeper was also called upon to save from Tom Greaves and Savory in the opening 20 minutes, as the home side failed to get into the game.

Eventually Ashton started to get to grips with the match and Liam Ralph played in three decent crosses that troubled the Town defence, before combining cleverly with Ian Fitzpatrick, whose own cross was scrambled clear by the Ossett defence.

Fitzpatrick then came close with a left foot shot that flew just over, and Wharton almost pierced the visitors’ defence with a surging run from midfield, but he was eventually crowded out.

The balance of the game changed completely following the introduction of Ben Deegan as a substitute in the 54th minute.

Ashton’s leading scorer was declared unfit to start the game due to a thigh injury, but he had an immediate impact, causing havoc in the Ossett defence. Within two minutes of joining the fray he set up the equaliser with a cross that found Fitzpatrick. The striker’s shot was blocked, but Iain Howard fired home the rebound.

Less than five minutes later the young Ashton striker scored what was to prove the winning goal with a fine header.

This time Howard was provider, with a perfect cross that was met on the run by Deegan, who gave visiting ‘keeper John Lamb no chance.

Although Ashton were now on top, Ossett continued to be dangerous on the break.

Smith saved at full-length from Greaves and his handling throughout was excellent.

In the final five minutes of normal time O’Brien headed wide at the far post and Rob Tonks shot wide from distance.

In the third minute of added time the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty when Smith was adjudged to have held down Greaves as he attempted to claim a cross.

It appeared that the striker had backed into the Ashton man, but referee Neil Yates had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Smith put the seal on a fine performance by diving to his right to save from Ashley Longstaff and secure the three points that keep Ashton in fourth place in the table.