Matches with Ossett United are like London Buses …. you wait ages for one and then two come along!
You only have to wind back two weeks to find our last meeting with the side from Yorkshire but this will be the first time they have travelled to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium since their amalgamation.
Two early second half goals, within four minutes of each other, from Sefton Gonzales and Luke Thompson set up the 2-0 win in the FA Trophy clash at Ingfield on 26 September which sets up our visit to Worksop Town next weekend in the next round.
But depending on which side of the previous Ossett divide you were on, you will either have favourable or unfavourable memories of trips to Rammy previously.
That is because Ossett Town never lost on their four occasions they came to the HWRS and Ossett Albion never won in their four encounters with us at ours.
Albion took a 0-0 draw from the last meeting in April 2018 but lost 2-1 in October 2016 to goals from Sam Freakes and a Damian Green penalty which cancelled out James Eyles first half spot kick.
The Rams would win 2-0 in February 2014 in the NPL Division 1 North thanks to Grant Spencer and Jordan Hulme strikes and win a classic in March 2013 4-3 when the home side almost threw away a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes when Jon Robinson and Lee Gaskell’s double put us in control. Joe Fox and Alex Booker pulled the visitors back into the game before Spencer cracked a 75th minute goal to make it 4-2. A Fox penalty two minutes later set up the grandstand finish but the Rams held on.
However, Ossett Town have an excellent record and won 2-0 on their final visit with Jason Yates and Charlie Freeman securing the points with second half strikes. That came on the back of a 5-0 mauling in April 2017 when Dean Stott opened the scoring with an own goal and Town roared through with goals from Danny Frost, Andy Hawksworth, Nathan Curtis and an injury time fifth from Yates.
In February 2014, it was 2-2 and March 2013 just 1-1 when Lee Gaskell’s 43rd minute hit was cancelled by Eyles just after the break.
So which way will today’s game go? Will it be an Ossett Town style result or an Ossett Albion one at the HWRS?
Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for the first time, however, Ossett United.