Ossett United 3-1 Consett

Ossett United 3-1 Consett

Northern Premier League (North-East Division)

Saturday 24th February 2024

At the end of last season when he left Sheffield United, I promised Callum Hiddleston that I’d go and watch him at some point this season - wherever he ended up!

It’s taken a while because he’s had trials galore since then with no luck going his way (something every player needs at times) but having signed for Ossett United around a fortnight ago - where he’s now earning regular game-time, this was a case of sticking to my word.

And it was a good decision on my part considering my two other options for a game this weekend were Atherton vs Macclesfield (postponed) and Stockport vs Swindon (a 0-0 draw).

To me, Callum’s quality has been known for a while. He was part of the Sheffield United U18s team which were National Champions two seasons ago, he’s had international recognition with Scotland in the past, he’s always had a reputation for being decent on penalties (as Ossett fans will already know after his save at Guiseley in the shoot-out on his debut in the County Cup) and in the three appearances he’s made for the Sheepicorns prior to this one, it’s been brilliant to hear so many positive things being said of him from a wide-range of people I know who’ve seen his games.

In total, I’ve had 14 bits of individual feedback which have all been positive - with everything from his character to his communication and boasting a vocal presence, his distribution, clean-kicking and shot-stopping abilities, etc, being praised.

He’s made a good impression, won the respect of many, got a smile back on his face and is enjoying his football again which is brilliant to see - it’s exactly why I’ve never doubted him and back/believe in my own judgements (watching over 100 games per season I can make comparisons), and hopefully this is the start of him playing regularly, finding his level in senior football and getting some luck going in his favour at long last whilst helping Ossett achieve their aim of survival.

Although he couldn’t keep a clean-sheet due to a terrific effort by Kieren Alpin with 15 minutes to go (one of those where you say ‘fair play’ and give the striker the credit where it’s due), he was on the winning team for the first time in OUFC colours as Ossett showed quality at both ends of the pitch to pick up a vital and much-needed three points.

Defensively, Adam ‘Watto’ Watson was brilliant on his debut, signing from Sheffield shortly before kick-off, and he marshaled the backline superbly and produced some superb covering defending to block a shot in the first half, then battling for EVERYTHING in the second half. Tom Claisse put a right shift in too, TJ Ibrahim made a massive interception inside his own box in the second half which was worth its weight in gold - and the defence as a whole collective unit put their bodies on the line to make blocks and tackles when it was needed - thus limiting Callum to having to make just one big save when, at 3-1, the referee played a part in the build up by blocking an Ossett midfielder, but when the shot came in from the edge of the box, Callum wasn’t to be beaten and pulled off a strong save to tip the effort wide before quickly scooping up the loose ball to prevent the corner. Good goalkeeping; Callum being Callum!

Then, at the top end of the pitch, Adam Priestley stole the show with a superb hat-trick - bagging an early goal to put Ossett 1-0 up, but his second just before half-time was class with the technique and ball control, followed by the finish, being more on a par with something you’d find at Football League level (let alone Step 4).

The second goal came at a crucial time because it punctured the momentum that Consett were building up in the 10-15 minutes before the break. They’d had more territory, possession, had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty when their striker went down far too easily inside the box and were starting to get on top; certainly having their best spell of the game which included a spate of four corners in the space of just two minutes but none of which they could convert into anything serious!

Had there still just been a single goal in it at half-time, then the visitors might have fancied their chances of getting back into the game. At 2-0, it was harder for them. 3-0 was insurmountable and when Priestley completed his hat-trick around the hour mark, even the optimistic ‘bell-ringer’ and others amongst the 20-30 visiting fans who’d made the trip from the North-East knew this just wasn’t going to be their afternoon!

In fairness, Consett did press hard in the last 30 minutes and they got a consolation through Kieren Aplin’s bullet strike, and with the momentum in their favour, they seized the initiative in the remaining 15-20 minutes. But right to the final whistle - including a goalmouth scramble deep into injury-time, Ossett dug deep to keep them out and were resilient. They also managed the game effectively and collectively showed all the qualities and togetherness you’d want to see in a team scrapping for survival.

Based on this performance, quite how Ossett had only won once at home all season going into this game is a proper mystery. They looked way better than that fact. Not spectacular by any means; quite direct at times, but with everyone putting a shift in, pulling in the same direction, grafting and being hard to break down - and they’re the qualities you need!

With Grantham losing and Winterton drawing, the fact they’ve now extended the gap to six points between themselves and the relegation zone will give everyone a massive boost heading into Tuesday night’s game at Liversedge.