Ossett Town cruise to pre-season victory at Glasshoughton Welfare

Glasshoughton Welfare 0-5 Ossett Town

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Ossett Town manager Craig Elliott was delighted with his side’s performance at Glasshoughton, while Welfare boss Rob Hunter applauded the visitors’ display.

Ossett were exceptional against their Northern Counties East League Premier Division opponents and recorded a third consecutive pre-season friendly victory.

Veteran striker Jason Price put Ossett ahead in the first half before two second goals from Chris Wood and solitary strikes from Ryan Qualter and Gareth Grant completed the rout.

Elliott, who returned to Leeds Road for the first time as Ossett manager since leaving Glasshoughton last year weeks after guiding them to promotion, said: “We tried two different systems and it has given me a lot to think about. We changed it back to a 4-4-2 in the second half and it worked. Whether that was because they tired, I don’t know.

“The second halves in pre-season games are always difficult because of the amount of subs, but the first half was very pleasing. We played a lot of good football without creating as many chances as I would have liked – that’s why I put an extra man up front.

“I said to the lads who came on the second half that they have given me a lot to think about. I’ve used a lot of players again – 18 or 19. It has been another pleasing night. We got another clean sheet which is always a bonus.

“It is only pre-season and people are right when they say don’t look into results, but it is three clean sheets on the trot which is good when you are changing the defence so often.”

Glasshoughton rarely troubled an Ossett defence initially led by Patrece Liburd, who ended his trial at Farsley AFC last week, and Nick Wood which meant goalkeeper Tom Taylor and his replacement Matthew Convey had a quiet evening.

Speculative attempts from Price and Fernando Moke, now trialling at his third club this summer, were the only chances in the half-hour until Ossett scored from a mistake.

New Glasshoughton goalkeeper Paul Hagreen failed to deal with a back-pass and was dispossessed by former Tadcaster Albion left-back Steve Jeffs. He passed to Price and the ex-Doncaster Rovers striker kept his composure to score from 12-yards.

Glasshoughton lost captain Darrell Young and Joel Freestone, a signing from Knaresborough Town, to injury just before half-time and as the second half went on, tiredness began to kick in.

Elliott brought on the likes of Wood and Grant and they made Glassshoughton’s life even more difficult and Wood was quick to make his mark by rounding Hagreen for goal number two on 68 minutes.

Ossett were taking control and the third goal quickly followed when Richard Patterson crossed and Qualter headed home.

Ossett scored their third goal in seven minutes with 15 minutes remaining on the clock with a similar goal to the third. It was Dan Middleton the supplier this time and Wood gave Hagreen no chance with a powering header.

Ossett were not finished in the closing stages, Grant was able to round Hagreen and comfortably get his name on the score-sheet. Welfare boss Hunter admitted the result brought Glasshoughton back down to earth after Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Evo Stik Division One South side Lincoln United.

He said: “I said to Daz (captain Darrell Young) this morning that this could be a real come down for us and it could be a shock. I think it has proved to be that. They were a lot fitter than us and they kept the ball better than us and had the right experience and strength at the right end of the park to get the goals.

“It was a bit of a beating in terms of the result and score-line, however I still think we did ok. For an hour it was 1-0. I thought we did really well for an hour. I thought we kept good discipline and good shape and caused them a few problems by breaking up play.

“But they brought top quality substitutes on and they were different levels to my bench and that’s with no disrespect to my lads. It was just that they were very good. As we made some changes, they swamped it with quality. I said to the lads after the game, don’t get despondent off losing 5-0 to Ossett Town because I thought they were a very good side.”

Glasshoughton Welfare: Paul Hagreen, James Beaston, Dave Ward, Liam Tuck, Reece Chappell, Darryl Young (captain), Matt Donnelly, Russell Headley, Calum Ward, Steve Edwards, Joel Edwards. Subs: Ben Clayton, Kieran Corley, Blaine Kellet, Greig McGrory, Andy Sunley.

Ossett Town: Tom Taylor, Scott McGory, Steve Jeffs, Richard Patterson, Patrece Liburd, Nick Wood (captain), Luke Sharry, Andrew Fox, Jason Price, Will McGhie, Fernando Moke. Subs: Chris Wood, Matthew Convey, Dan Middleton, Smith, Luke Richardson, Hudson, Gareth Grant.

Referee: Andy Smith

Attendance: 65

Man of the match: Jason Price (Ossett Town)