Ossett United avenge earlier defeat in strong return to winning ways
Ossett United turned their fortunes round with a strong performance against top half side Garforth Town in the NPL East.
James Walshaw’s men had not been able to get over the line for a victory in any of their previous five matches in 2026 so it was a big relief to record a 2-1 success at their Ingfield ground.
The pitch passed a morning inspection after all the heavy rain in the build-up to the game and the work of the groundstaff was justified with a performance to fill supporters with confidence that United will not get sucked into a relegation fight in the closing weeks of the season.
Garforth could have been in seventh had they won and they had beaten Ossett 3-0 when the clubs had met back in October so the home team geared up for a tough test as they looked to end a five-match winless run that had seen them drop to within three points of the relegation zone.
It was an even start with the visitors sending two efforts over and their keeper making a comfortable save.
United then enjoyed a strong spell when only a clearance off the line denied them the opening goal.
They did go in front on 31 minutes, however, as wide man Luca Bolino – who has been in good form in recent weeks – found the back of the net.
Town tried to hit back, but the home team defended well with keeper Aleks Petrovic rarely tested before the break as they went in one up.
Garforth responded by making three changes at the interval in a bid to get back into the contest, but it was the hosts who built on their lead with a second goal when Fionn Murphy netted.
The response was immediate as within two minutes Town had pulled a goal back through Luke Aldrich to make it 2-1 and set up a nervy final quarter.
The pressure was on, but Ossett saw the game out professionally and defended well up to the final whistle to preserve their one-goal lead to the finish.
They are now five points ahead of the bottom four and sit in 14th position ahead of Tuesday’s planned game against Bishop Auckland at Ingfield again.
On Saturday United face another trip to the north east for a key game when they face second from bottom Blyth Town.