FA Cup second qualifying round draw: Brighouse Town to visit former Football League side Stockport County

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
Brighouse Town have been given a dream draw in the FA Cup second qualifying round as the Toolstation NCEL Division One side will visit former Football League giants Stockport County.
Regardless of the result, Brighouse could receive a massive windfall as crowds at Edgeley Park have been in the high two thousands.
Local rivals Guiseley and Bradford Park Avenue meet for the first time in the FA Cup in the other stand-out game. The two sides are taking each other tomorrow night in the Conference North.
They both got to the First Round last season, but only one will have a chance of reaching the prestigious in 2013.
Scarborough Athletic have a very winnable draw in a home draw against Penrith. Frickley Athletic will host Marske United, who beat Albion Sports 3-0 on Saturday.
If Ossett Town manage to beat Bamber Bridge in the First Qualifying Round replay, they will welcome Warrington Town or New Mills to Ingfield.
Harrogate Town will visit Colwyn Bay.
All ties will be played on the weekend of Saturday 28th September.
In other news, basement Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Nostell Miners Welfare have appointed Ossett Albion reserve team boss Darren Holmes as their new manager.
Holmes replaces caretaker boss Mark Greaves, who lost all his five games and leaves with the club four points adrift at the bottom.
Former Ossett, Liversedge and Mossley striker Gareth Hamlet is Holmes’ assistant.
The pair won the Lancashire League title with Albion last season and they take charge for the first time tomorrow night when Glasshoughton Welfare visit.

NCEL round-up: Another heavy defeat for Winterton Rangers

Nick Black

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Winterton Rangers are still in crisis after another heavy defeat – Garforth Town were 7-0 winners at West Street yesterday in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division clash.

Winterton, who lost 7-1 to Pickering Town in midweek, were trailing 5-0 at half-time. A double from Nick Black, two own goals and strikes from C J Lyle, Logan McDaniel and Stephen Simpson moved Garforth into sixth.

Nostell Miners Welfare, under the caretaker stewardship of Mark Greaves, remain bottom and winless after losing 4-1 at Tadcaster Albion. Goals from Ben Turner, James Coupland, William Pepper and a Wayne Ball own goal sealed Albion’s success.
Bridlington Town moved up to second in the table after winning 3-0 at Armthorpe Welfare. Craig Hogg scored twice with Danny Brunton adding the extras.
Glasshoughton Welfare earned a point in the 0-0 draw at Parkgate.
In Division One, Eccleshill United remain top of the table after a 4-0 victory at Louth Town - Jackson Patillo, Alex Brisbane, Ryan Jones and Reid Harbach the goal-scorers.
Selby Town followed up the midweek win over AFC Emley after Nathan Kamara scored twice in their 2-0 win at Dinnington Town.
Emley recovered from two straight defeats to win 2-1 at Teversal.
Liam Schofield put Emley ahead before Dave Cockeril equalised for Teversal. But, with time running out, Adam Todd, who signed from Shaw Lane Aquaforce, scored the winner.
Pontefract Collieries continued their revival with a 6-1 triumph over Rossington Main. Liam Radford and Andy Catton both scored twice, while Nicky Handley and Kingsley Wetherald adding the extras.

FA Cup and Evo Stik round-up: Scarborough Athletic make history

Rudy Funk

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Rudy Funk’s Scarborough Athletic defied their critics to march into the FA Cup second qualifying round for the first time in their history.

The Seadogs stormed to a 4-0 success at Team Northumbria with Tom Davies, Gary Bradshaw, Ryan Williams and Matty Plummer scoring the goals.

Scarborough are now in the hat for tomorrow’s draw which could them tied with Conference North giants Boston United and Stockport County, among others.

Frickley Athletic are also through after safely seeing off Sheffield FC 4-1.

Defender Jake Picton hit an impressive hat-trick – a feat he managed last season – and Luke Hinsley got the other goal.

In the Evo Stik Division One North, Ossett Albion finally got off the mark with a 3-2 victory at Harrogate Railway to earn their first win of the campaign.

Albion were cruising at 3-0 at half-time and Dale Kelly (2) and Adam Muller scored.

But, Richard Tracey’s men allowed Railway back into the game as Paul Beesley’s two goals gave them a nervy finish.

Wakefield FC also celebrated a rare victory after beating ten man Clitheroe at Shawe Lane.

Jack Higgins had put the home side ahead before Shane Hamilton quickly levelled for Wakefield.

Clitheroe were reduced to ten men early on in the second half and Wakefield stole the three points with just a few minutes to go – Rob Boardman the scorer.

Farsley AFC lost 3-0 at Kendal Town.

Danny Forrest leaves Ossett Town for Workington

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Danny Forrest has left Ossett Town after just two games and joined Skrill North side Workington.

Forrest made his Town debut last week in the 3-3 draw with Burscough before signing off in the 5-1 midweek victory at Wakefield FC.

Forrest arrived at Ingfield from Bradford (Park Avenue) and Ossett manager Craig Elliott said: “Danny informed me yesterday (Friday) that Workington had made an offer he can’t refuse.

“Basically he is still dual-signed with us, but he and Lee Elam are off to Workington because they made an offer they couldn’t turn down.
“He wanted to stay at that level and to be fair I knew that when he signed.

“Initially it was permanent and he said he loved the two games he played. He had said that if a club came in he would have to consider it and they have made him a good offer.

“It is not a massive blow. He’s a good player, but we have plenty of attacking options. It is an area where we’re really strong and the good thing is that lots of players are scoring and we’re not a one-man team.
“We have literally four or five players scoring goals.”

Steve Kittrick's sacking - Ossett Town boss Craig Elliott's reaction

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Ossett Town manager Craig Elliott expects axed Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick to return to football at a high level.
Kittrick was given the sack by the Conference North club on Wednesday after almost six years in charge at Nethermoor.

Elliott, who played under Kittrick at Glasshoughton Welfare during the 1990s, has praised him for his achievements at Guiseley.

“I think Steve has done a good job at Guiseley and it is sad when it ends at any club when you have done well,” he said.

“I know he feels bitter, but he can hold his head up high as he has done a great job there. I think he is on record saying that he is disappointed because with the timing of it and asking why didn’t they do it in pre-season.

Craig Elliott

“Obviously he is not the first and won’t be the last manager to leave under those circumstances.

“I played under Steve when he was the Glasshoughton manager and I’ve had contact with him while I’ve been a manager. I sent him a quick text this week to offer my support to him.

“But, I’m sure, because his record speaks for itself, he’ll get a top job when one becomes available.”

The likes of former Hyde FC manager Gary Lowe have been linked with the job, which is currently under the caretaker control of Mark Bower. Elliott expects a high profile figure to be appointed.

“I think it will be a big name, a Football League manager or maybe a player coming out of the league,” he said.

“The budget and ambition will dictate that, but I can see a big name (getting the job).

“I don’t know the ‘in’s and out’s’ but I’ve been told that the budget is not the same as last year’s. However, I’m sure it is still a competitive budget for that level of football and I think someone established will get the job.”

Late goal denies Ossett Town in FA Cup First Qualifying Round clash with Bamber Bridge

Ossett Town 2-2 Bamber Bridge

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Ossett Town chief Craig Elliott refused to be downbeat after an injury-time Chris Fisher own goal earned Bamber Bridge a replay in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie at Ingfield.
Fisher deflected Matt Mahoney’s shot into the bottom corner deep into stoppage time to give the Preston-based side a second chance on Tuesday night.
The visitors had taken the lead after 15 minutes through Greg Johnstone before striker Chris Wood scored twice to put Ossett in front at the break.
Ossett struggled to increase their lead and Wood spurned a glorious opportunity to score his hat-trick and seal his side’s passage into the next round with ten minutes to go.

The missed chance would come back to haunt Ossett, but Elliott wanted to focus on the good points.

“I thought we had some good chances in the first half and we had a chance to make it 3-1, but ultimately we didn’t play well in the second half,” he told Sports Performer.
“We were poor in the second half, compared with how we had played in the first. I said to them: ‘yeah we conceded a goal in injury-time, but in the second half we didn’t do ourselves justice’.
“We played well in the first half – we played at a good tempo and created some good chances. I was more than happy at half-time.
“I don’t know why (we didn’t play well in the second half). Maybe we thought it was going to be easy in the second half and these things happen.
“It (dropping deep) is a natural thing to do when you have such a slender lead. I put an extra defender in Patrece to see it out and we weren’t far off. Ultimately it is because we didn’t play well in the second half as we didn’t keep the ball.

“We have to take it on the chin and look at the positives. I got down a lot last year so this year I’m trying to put a positive spin on things. We’re still unbeaten at home, we’re unbeaten in four and we’re still in the FA Cup.

“It is not doom and gloom as we are more than capable of going to Bamber Bridge on Tuesday and winning the game.”

The opening exchanges were played at a frantic pace with Ossett’s highly-rated striker Jimmy Eyles having strike cleared off-the-line by Bamber player-coach Neil Reynolds inside the opening two minutes.

Bamber then enjoyed a purple patch and Town goalkeeper Tom Taylor had made a couple of saves before Lennie Reid’s 18-yard shot came back off the post and fell kindly back for Johnstone to head home.

Taylor had to deny two attempts as Bamber searched for a second goal. Ossett responded against the run of play. Right-back Scott McGrory made a darting run forward and passed to former Farsley AFC striker Gareth Grant on the edge of the penalty area. Grant saw the run of Wood to his left and laid the ball on a plate for the ex-Frickley Athletic forward to slide the ball past goalkeeper Lee Dovey.
With half-time approaching, Ossett went ahead. Lively winger Fernando Moke crossed from the left and Wood was on hand to head the ball into the bottom corner.
As Elliott admitted, the second half was played at a slow pace. Alistair Waddecar wasted a one-on-one with Taylor as Bamber looked to equalise.

At the other end, Eyles broke through and forced a good save out of Dovey. But, the best chance fell to Wood as the game was reaching its closing stages. Dovey was looking to keep the ball in play six yards away from his goal. However, upon diving for it, the goalkeeper lost control of the ball and substitute Kyle Hawthorne moved it away from him and looked for support in the box.

Hawthorne spotted Wood running in and passed. But, with the goal gaping, Wood blasted the ball high and over the crossbar.

That was Ossett’s last chance and Town started dropping deeper and deeper. Elliott brought on much-travelled centre-half Liburd, but the now three centre-halves Fisher, captain Ryan Qualter and Liburd were struggling to deal with Bamber’s long throw tactic.

Ossett survived four attacks before Mahoney created a bit of space and sent a shot towards goal. Taylor probably had the ball covered, but the huge deflection from Fisher diverted the ball into the corner of the net and left Taylor without a hope of stopping it.

Ossett Town: Taylor, McGrory Jeff, Patterson, Fisher, Qualter, Moke (Hawthorne 75), Sharry, Wood, Eyles (Liburd 81), Grant (Fox 67). Subs unused: Wood, Sibenge, Smith, Convey.

Bamber Bridge: Dovey, Bowyer (Marlow 77), Thompson, Doughty, Bonamino, Kay (captain), Waddecar, Mahoney, Johnstone (Haley 71), Reynolds (Wilkins HT), Reid. Subs unused: Lawloer, Alexander.

Referee: C Grundy (Sheffield)

Attendance: 93

Man of the match: Luke Sharry (Ossett Town)

Yorkshire Amateur are ahead of schedule - manager Phil Harding

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Yorkshire Amateur joint boss Phil Harding is keeping his team grounded after the Ammers moved into third place in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table.

Harding, Lincoln Richards and coach Andy Blair took charge at Bracken Edge in the summer and have enjoyed a great start to the campaign.

The Ammers, who finished second bottom last season, celebrated a 3-1 victory at Worsbrough Bridge on Tuesday night, but Harding is refusing to start re-evaluating his season targets,

“No (the expectations haven’t changed), we’re still going to go for the top ten,” he said.
“Anything after that is a bonus. Just because we are in third, anything can change.

“We could lose the next three games so we can’t get carried away.

“But, we are definitely ahead of schedule.
“When we played Emley (on the opening day), we had no pre-season, no friendlies and we didn’t have the right players at the time.
“They didn’t know the shape and the pattern of the game and we got overrun by a team who are a good side who kept their shape well.
“We started off slow to tell the truth. We lost our first two games and then won three on the bounce and then lost.

“But we have picked up now and we have won five out of six. It has been a matter of getting the team organised and getting the right players in the right positions.”

Harding has brought the likes of long-serving Thackley goalkeeper Mark Bower and former Farsley wing wizard Roy Stamer to the club – Stamer hit four goals on his debut last week.

The Ammers visit Knaresborough Town tomorrow and Harding, who doubles up as manager of the successful Chapeltown Fforde Grene Sunday side, admits there is a big difference between the competitive Leeds Sunday League and the NCEL.

Managing Ammers is Harding’s first experience of being in charge of a NCEL team.

He said: “It is a lot harder.

“You have got no easy games. All the teams are well-drilled. They keep their shape and you can’t break them down easily.

“If you don’t keep your shape you’ll get beat. On a Sunday morning you can play anybody and not keep your shape, but still win the game.

“Do that on a Saturday and you get beat.”