Ossett Town 2-2 Bradford Park Avenue Ladies
The season opened this Sunday with an away trip to Ossett Town, on an afternoon that promised high winds and torrential rain we were lucky to avoid too much of either.
Despite having a team carrying several illnesses and injuries and with a disappointing lack of substitutes the Avenue Ladies began promisingly. Dominating the centre of the park the LAdies were patient in their build up and play and made sure that the basics were being done correctly. Several chances where being created but a mixture of the greasy surface, wind effected crosses and some smart saves from the Ossett keeper kept Avenue out.
The Ladies were playing some nice football however and beginning to force corners, Annie Roberts sending one over with her head, Laura Wolfenden just wide.
After 24 minute thought he breakthrough came, Nicole Chamberlain drove forward Annie Roberts forced a save and Nic then smashed home from 25 yards, a lovely finish.
As the half continued so did Avenues dominance, Ossett barely in the Avenue half and when they were Amy Jones was quick to the ball well protected by Beth Walton, Sammy O'Brien and Player of the Match Rebecca Ogden.
As the half ended the all in Green and White were fairly satisfied with their performance.
How quickly it can change though! The second half saw an incredibly lack luster start from the Ladies, weak passes, poor communication and generally sloppy play allowed Ossett to get a grip on the game and start to force their own attacks. Ossett exploited the poor work rate from Avenue well, creating chances from the wings and with long balls over the top it was only a matter of time before shots started following. On 48 minutes this happened, a ball over the top after a mis timed tackle from Sammy O'Brien wasn't covered by her team mates and the forward slotted home.
It appeared like this may have shook up the Ladies a little when on 50 minutes a lovely ball from hard working Sarah Huby found Laura Wolfenden, she powered her way past the full back and caught everyone out with a deft lob onto the back post to secure the lead back in Avenues favour.
Sadly Avenue continued to play with a half hearted attitude and by the 62nd minute they were level pegging again after letting a corner go accross the box with only Wolfenden challenging, no-one picked up the second ball and the Ladies were made to pay.
This time Avenue did up their game and began to get back to their first half form, taking control and dictating the pace of the game, but it seemed they had seeled their own fate with the poor play up to this point. Wolfenden, Roberts, Chamberlain and Huby all hit the wookwork, Sarah Huby and Ella Goldsmith found the keepers hands with efforts under pressure, and a late quickly taken corner went un-challenged into the keepers hands.
A few dubious off side calls and potential free kicks/penelties went by with no help form the wistle blower, who generally had a reasonable game, but the Avenue ladies had no-one to blame but themselves as he blew for the final time.
A point from the first game of the season isn't to be disregarded but it should have been more, as the Ladies travel back to Ossett next week to face Towns neighbours Albion in the FA Cup it is hoped the positives from today's game are taken into the fixture and the poor parts left where they deserve to be...in the past.
Other Results from the West Riding Premier League:
Brayton Belles 3-3 Keighley Oaks
Pontefract 0-7 Harrogate Railway
Silsden 1-1 Farsley
