Ossett United 1-2 Steels U18s
Stocksbridge Park Steels U18s came from behind to beat Ossett United in order to book their place in the next round of the FA Youth Cup.
Ossett took the lead in the first half after a free kick that was initially saved was knocked in by the young Sheepicorns. In the second half, Ollie Nowak equalised with a powerful effort before Henry Curry’s impressive finish gave them the win.
Stocksbridge started off as the better side and soon chances would start coming their way. Initially, the Stocksbridge press worked well and after gaining the ball high up the pitch, the ball was played to Nowak but his powerful shot was headed away. Not long after, a dangerous ball across the box was hit into the side netting by Bradley Adams while Nowak had a very similar chance at the other side of the goal, but he hit it over.
The chances kept coming for Stocksbridge. After a corner, Toby Morewood moved into space and got the free header but can only put it over the bar. Moments later, good passing from Stocksbridge managed to get the Ossett goalkeeper Dan Leeming out of position but the Sheepicorns defence got back well to block the shot from Ben Rawsford.
However, Ossett would punish Stocksbridge for them not being able to take their chances. The Sheepicorns had a free kick close to the edge of the box and the initial shot was well saved by Daniel Emery. However, the shot was followed up and the ball soon found its way into the back of the net. After taking the lead, Ossett were able to kill the game off until the end of the first half.
Stocksbridge started off the second half exactly as Mark Fretwell would have wanted. A good ball went into the box from the young Steels but it was cleared. The ball fell to Nowak who hit the ball well, leaving Leeming no chance in the goal.
The Steels continued to push as they looked to take the lead. A fantastic ball from Lucas Bell almost created that opportunity but the eventual finish would crack off the woodwork. But that goal came eventually. Substitute Curry gathered the ball in the box, turned well, and hit a fantastic finish that’d impress fans in any league, never mind a youth match.
Curry’s finish ought to have added more spice to the game, instead it only put more fire into the bellies of the Steels as they looked to push on and extend their lead. They had the chances too as well. A curling shot forced a good save from Leeming while Morewood’s long range effort was just over the bar. In the end, Stocksbridge never looked like conceding and were able to coast to a win, booking their place in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
