Ossett United looking for home comforts after tough run of losses on the road

With just one point picked up from four games on the road in the NPL East and the FA Cup exit at FC United of Manchester, James Walshaw’s men have found it difficult in recent weeks.

Following the cup defeat United have failed to score a goal in two league games, losing 3-0 at Blyth Spartans in midweek then 2-0 in a West Yorkshire derby at Pontefract Collieries – who they had beaten in the FA Cup.

The results have seen them drop down the NPL East table to 18th ahead of their return to home turf on Tuesday night when Bridlington Town visit.

They are also at home on Saturday when they take on North Ferriby who are just two places above them and also keen to get back into the top half of the table.

In a busy schedule that is not helping the Ossett team another all-West Yorkshire clash quickly follows next Tuesday evening.

They will be aiming to get back to the sort of defensive form that saw them keep clean sheets in all of their first four matches this season when they won two league games and two cup ties.

The other end of the pitch is also causing concern as United had plenty of possession against Blyth in what was a close game, but eventually paid for not finding the back of the net.

The game remained goalless until six minutes from time when the Spartans broke the deadlock.

Forced to chase the game, Ossett then conceded two more late on and it did not help their efforts that they had Tyrell Dawes sent-off after conceding the penalty that gave the hosts their second goal.

At Ponte Colls it was a poor first half display that proved costly as the home team scored both of their goals and could have had more.

In the second half United had much more of the ball, but did not do enough with it and ended frustrated.

Alfie Proctor, meanwhile, has left the club to pursue first team football elsewhere after spending three seasons at Ingfield.