Another Draw For Reds

[Duffer]

Saturday 28th August 2004

Unibond Northern Premier League Division One

OSSETT ALBION 1 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 1

 

For the second Saturday running Willenhall will be ruing the fact they failed to get all 3 points from a game they should have won in the second half.

The first period was a poor advert for Unibond football, with neither team stringing more than a couple of passes together on the slopping Queens Terrace pitch, and it was more like an under 10’s kick about.

The crowd of 126 had to wait until the 34th minute for the only note worthy chance, the Reds Smith volleying an effort from 25 yards, but the ball gazed the wrong side of the post.

The second half came alight and the visitors started to pass together a couple of moves but it was the hosts who took a shock lead. A long ball up field appeared to present no problems for either keeper Vaughan or defender Slater, but a mix up between the two allowed Toronczak to poke the loose ball into the unguarded net.

This was the kick up the backside that the Reds needed and they had an ideal opportunity to level on 56 minutes. A long kick-out deep into the Albion half beat the offside trap and Smith found himself in acres of space with just keeper Carney to beat. The usually reliable little striker blasted the ball wide and high. However, two minutes later and Smith was given an almost identical opportunity when a defensive mix up left him again with just Carney to beat. This time Smith kept his cool and slotted the ball home.

Striker Toronczak was more lucky than a lotto winner on 65 minutes when he went in very late on keeper Vaughan and left him flattened on the ground, while most were expecting a straight red, the Sheffield ref who had had a solid game issued just a yellow.

Willenhall brought sub Quilt on for Tyrell, and the striker nearly grabbed a winner in the 77th minute, his glancing header bringing a good diving save from Carney.

While it was Willenhall who had the better of the second half it was very nearly the Yorkshire side who stole the points with 10 minutes to go, when a mad goal line scramble saw several Ossett efforts blocked off the line.

 

Reds line up; Vaughan, Colwell, Colcombe, Slater, Thomas, Curran, Swann, Myers, Tyrell, Edwards, Smith. Subs; Quilt, Jackson, & Webb.

 

The Reds next games are at home to Spalding United (3pm) Bank Holiday Monday, away in the FA Cup at Eastwood Town on Saturday 4th September, and at home Tuesday 7th September to Gresley Rovers.