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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Ossett Albion (25.04.09)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 1 Ossett Albion 4

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at QED Stadium, Irongate

Saturday 25th April 2009

By Dave Rowland

West Yorkshire side Ossett Albion achieved the ‘league double’ over their Lancashire hosts Bamber Bridge, in this end-of-season roses clash at Irongate with a very comfortable 4-1 win. This game was no end-of-season stroll in the sunshine, as both sides showed plenty of commitment and passion. In the end, the Brig youngsters were no match for the more experienced Yorkshire side who gave a workman-like display throughout the afternoon without looking particularly outstanding.

Mid-table Brig were keen to finish off the season with a victory, having won just one game out of their last nine outings in the First Division North. They were also keen to lay the bogy against their guests, having won just once against Albion out of the seven games thus far played between the sides. West Yorkshire side, Ossett Albion, arrived at Bamber Bridge looking to achieve the ‘league double’ over their Lancashire hosts following a single goal success against Brig at Dimple Wells back in January. They were also keen to maintain their record of never having tasted defeat at the Irongate ground.

Brig assistant manager Neil Crowe made three changes to the line up from the game at Woodley Sports seven days previously. Allan Fleming came into the centre of defence in preference to Colin McAllister and Stuart Shepherd returned to midfield following a hip injury, replacing Tom Merella. Mike Mason was chosen in the front line in place of Graeme Mitchell.

The visitors opened brightly and went close within a minute of the kick-off when Andrew Cotton put in Duncan Bray, but Brig goalkeeper Andy Banks acted quickly to block Bray’s effort with his feet.

Bamber Bridge responded positively with some neat interplay and Allan Fleming touched just wide at the back post following a well delivered Alex Porter free-kick. Stuart Shepherd had a shot blocked on16 minutes from a dangerous Sean O’Neil cross as the home side picked up the pace.

The game was an evenly balanced affair with both sides striving to create openings and Brig almost broke the deadlock with an O’Neil volley on 25 minutes which pole-axed Albion centre-back Mark Ryan. At the other end Bray nearly took advantage of some sloppy Brig defending, but shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Albion got their noses in front on 38 minutes when the home defence once again got themselves into an untidy tangle. ANDREW COTTON was allowed to race clear and his shot went in off the goalpost with Banks left stranded.

The West Yorkshire side almost increased their lead on the stroke of half-time when Cotton set up Bray after a good run down the right, but Banks snuffed out the danger.

Straight from the restart Brig gave the ball away and Gareth Hamlet was allowed to advance menacingly on goal, but Banks was alert and saved well.

Mason shot through Ashforth’s legs for Brig on 47 minutes, but the effort lacked pace and a defender was able to clear from the goal-line.

More indifferent defending proved costly for the home side on 50 minutes as Albion took a two goal lead when GARETH HAMLET strolled through a static home defence before crashing his shot home from just inside the box.

However, Bamber Bridge showed some fight and pulled a goal back on 54 minutes when MIKE MASON placed his shot beyond Albion goalkeeper Lee Ashforth after a neat one-two down the inside-left position with Alex Porter.

Before there was time to draw breath, Albion restored their two goal advantage within a minute when GARETH HAMLET fired home his second strike of the afternoon when stylishly crashing the ball through the retreating Brig defence from the edge of the box.

Despite the setback Brig came out fighting and played some of their best football of the afternoon. Mason headed just over from a Porter corner-kick on 69 minutes and substitute Sam Farrow sent in a teasing cross which narrowly evaded the front runners. Ashforth then denied Mason following a goalmouth scramble as Brig increased the pressure, but fortune combined with good defending prevented the home side from any reward.

The visitors were not to be denied their victory and grabbed a fourth goal in the 89th minute when substitute AARON GUIRY saw his effort deflected home after Brig failed to deal adequately with a Joe Thornton corner-kick. Thus Albion were able to maintain their excellent record at the Irongate ground; a case of horses for courses!

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Jamie Nay (Tom Merella 58mins), Chris Marlow (Sam Farrow 67mins), Steve Williams, Allan Fleming, Stuart Shepherd, Mark Edmeads, Matt Mahoney, Sean O'Neil, Alex Porter, Michael Mason. UNUSED SUBS: Greame Mitchell, Stuart Howson

Goals: Michael Mason (54 mins)

Ossett Albion: Lee Ashforth, Sam Jackson, Kyle Cook, Joe Thornton, Mark Ryan, Martin Allison, Andrew Seed (Aaron Guiry 67mins), Andrew Catton (Alex Ferguson 65mins), Duncan Bray, Gareth Hamlett, Jason Bentley (Oliver Jeffries 60mins). UNUSED SUBS: -

Goals: Andrew Catton (39 mins), Gareth Hamlet (50, 55mins), Aaron Guiry (89mins)

Attendance: 100