Match Report  |  Ossett Albion vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers included two new signings for their visit to Ossett with the return of former Moatman defender Barry Woolley on loan from Hinckley United and winger Mark Smith from Buxton and their inclusion had an impact on the result of the game.

Assistant boss Mick Curry was in charge as manager Gary Norton had to miss the trip due to illness.

Gresley got off to a disastrous start to the game as yet again they found themselves a goal down within a few minutes. Daniel Facey managed to get behind the visitors' defence where he collected Martin Allison's header. The striker's first time shot left keeper Tommy Whittle helpless as the ball flew into the far corner of the net.

On 5 minutes Gresley's first chance fell to Woolley but he put his header, from Shaun Ridgway's free kick just wide of the far post.

The big defender then made a crucial tackle to deny Facey as the lively front man ran through the backline after a sublime ball from Andrew Seed.

Facey was causing the Gresley defence problems and on 11 minutes he collected a pass from David Boardman before firing in a shot which Whittle grabbed at the second attempt.

Ossett's top scorer Danny Toronczak was almost gifted a goal on 16 minutes when Ridgeway hit Facey with his clearance. The ball fell nicely for Toronczak but Whittle did extremely well to block the shot with his legs.

Woolley again came to the rescue on 25 minutes when Boardman picked up a throw-in on the left and made his way to the before knocking the ball back for David Syers to try his luck but the defender was there to block the shot.

Allison then had another chance to double the advantage when a quick free kick found Michael Senior who pulled the ball back to Allison, but could only put his shot wide of the far post.

Toronczack almost caught Tommy Whittle out when he spotted the keeper off his line but Whittle got a hand to the ball and caught it at his second attempt.
Ossett had put the visitors under pressure for much of the first half and it wasn't until the 43rd minute that Gresley managed another attempt on goal but unfortunately Nicky Carter's long-range shot went straight into Ossett keeper Mick Clark's arms.

Changes were made by Curry at half time bringing on Carl Slater for Tom Groves.
On 53 minutes Gresley went close to getting back on terms when Woolley connected with a Ridgway free kick but as the header seemed destined for the far corner of the net Clark somehow managed to make a superb save tipping the ball away for a corner.

However, Gresley did get their reward just a minute later. A Gresley free kick was only partially cleared to Ridgway who sent a ball over the top and found Woolley, who the home side thought was offside, but he turned and expertly chipped the ball over Clarke and into the net.

Curry made another change bringing on Smith for his debut replacing Dan Sleath.
On 72 minutes, Toronczak had a golden chance to give his side the lead again but fired wide with only Whittle to beat.

A minute later the woodwork came to Gresley's aid when Colin Hoyle headed a free-kick to Senior, who smashed a shot against the far post.

Smith, who had been giving the Osset defence a torrid time with his pace down the left since coming on as a substitute, sent over a cross on 78 minutes which looked destined for Aaron O'Connor, but sailed past everyone and found its way into the far corner of the net.

Gresley could have added to their tally two minutes later when a poor clearance from Clark fell to Barrett, but his lob was just too high with the Ossett keeper in no-mans land.