Haswell strikes as Ossett through in FA Trophy

01/10/2019

Ossett United 1-0 Widnes

Ossett United returned to winning ways with a tight victory over Widnes in the extra preliminary round of the FA Trophy.

A well-taken Aaron Haswell goal just past the hour mark proved enough as they produced a very encouraging display, four days after their elimination from the FA Cup.

Ossett had two players making their debuts for the club, with Jorge Sikora playing at the back on loan from Bradford City and Reece Webb-Foster making his first appearance on the wing after signing from Colne.

The hosts started well with Webb-Foster making a big impact in attack, and he helped create their first good chance of the game as he, and then Tom Greaves, provided flicks to see Corey Gregory through on goal but a defender recovered to block.

Gregory had a free-kick held by goalkeeper Owen Wheeler as the game went into half-time goalless. Widnes failed to fashion a chance and were lucky to keep 11 players on the field after a nasty challenge from Danny Ventre on Jack Stockdill was only punished with a yellow card.

Early in the second half United had their biggest opportunity of the game so far. Luke Porritt lifted the ball into the box, Webb-Foster beat the keeper to it but Haswell could only head onto the post with the rebound from just six yards out.

Webb-Foster fired over and Stockdill glanced a header wide before Haswell had the chance to make up for his miss. Ventre inadvertently headed the ball behind him and Haswell pounced to run through on goal, round Wheeler and roll the ball into the net.

Widnes did have chances to get back in the game in the final half hour. James Steele rolled a shot inches wide and a mix-up between Sikora and his goalkeeper Brett Souter could have proved costly if Ben Hampson had not been in position to clear.

Ossett clung on though, and they progress to the preliminary round of the competition and a trip to Dunston on October 12. Before then, they have their third home game on the bounce on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm) as Runcorn Linnets visit Ingfield in the league.

 Match Highlights

Andy Welsh's Post Match Thoughts

Ossett United: Brett Souter, Ben Hampson, Alex McQuade, Jack Stockdill (Monkhouse 61), James Knowles, Jorge Sikora, Aaron Haswell, Corey Gregory, Tom Greaves, Reece-Webb Foster (Guest 73), Luke Porritt (Harrison 82).

Subs: Andy Monkhouse, Tom Scott, Nick Guest, Elliott Harrison, Alex O’Keefe.

Goals: Haswell (62)

Widnes: Owen Wheeler, Jay Roberts, Shaun Holden, Danny Ventre (Towey 80), Danny Shaw, Joe Herbert, Conor Ready, Harry Brazel, Lewis Buckley (Klein-Davies 70), Ben Hodkinson, James Steele (Grogan 70).

Subs: Keenan Quansah, Michael Grogan, Mike Burke, Josh Klein-Davies, Kevin Towey.