ONE GOAL ENOUGH FOR HOSTS
OSSETT United managed a win in a close game but it would have been easier if they’d taken some of the chances they created, particularly in the first half. Inside the opening five minutes of the contest, Karl Jones, who was making his debut for the West Yorkshire hosts, held the ball up well before laying it off to Aidan Chippendale. He put Adam Priestley in on goal but he fired just wide from a tight angle. United’s goal came on 27 minutes and it was created by another good run down the left flank from Priestley, who crossed the ball in for Jones to finish neatly. More chances came and went without any addition to the score but Brett Souter needed to be alert as Stamford were relying on breakaways to test him. The second half was only five minutes old when a free-kick from Priestley drew a save from Danny Haystead in the Stamford goal, who needed to be at full-stretch to prevent Ossett from bagging a second of the afternoon. United continued to exert pressure without managing to increase their lead - and then injuries seemed to disrupt their play. They lost both Jones and Alex McQuade, and then seemed to sit back. Stamford sensed they had a chance to snatch a point and began to drive forward but their efforts proved in vain as United managed to do just enough to hold out for all three points. Victory moves Ossett up into the top five of the Northern Premier League Division One West table, five points behind current pace-setters Morpeth Town.