Bouncing back brings second accolade

Ossett Town’s players would be the first to admit they didn’t get off to the best of starts this season but they’re definitely reaping the rewards now for their hard work and attitude.

In October the First Division North club was struggling to put points on the board but to their credit collected the division’s Fair Play Award for their sportsmanship. They're still fourth in the overall behaviour tables and on Saturday a serious turnaround in form in the final month of 2013 saw them honoured with December’s Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Club of the Month Award.

Currently eighth in the table and on a run for a late play-off spot, manager Craig Elliott’s side won the latest performance accolade after kicking off the month with a 3-1 victory at Darlington in the Second Round of the Doodson Sport Cup. They then went on to win five out of six league outings to climb away from trouble and into the top half of the table.

Elliott is pictured with Ossett Town Chairman James Rogers being presented with the club’s reward at Ingfield - an inscribed certificate to mark their achievement and a 4.5 litre bottle of Bells Whiskey to toast their continued success – by Evo-Stik NPL League Secretary Angie Firth before their 3-1 win over Padiham in First Division North.

The Ingfielders were named alongside Halesowen Town in First Division South and Premier Division Whitby Town as the award’s final winners of 2013.

Halesowen Town entered 2014 as First Division South leaders after John Hill’s side took over top spot thanks to their run of six wins from six in the league, four of the victories coming away from home. In the top flight, the Seasiders won all five of their outings in December to start 2014 as serious play-off contenders under manager Darren Williams.

Image courtesy of Neil Spofforth