Ollerton Town get their first point on the board in Division One of the Northern Counties East League with a draw against Athersley Recreation
After a rough patch last season, fans of an area football club can cautiously smile after their new regime got the first point on the board.
Ollerton Town got a 1-1 draw in their Northern Counties East League Division One fixture against Athersley Recreation from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, last night (Wednesday August 16).
120 fans turned up to watch the match at Walesby Lane which ironically featured a visiting team whose home ground is located on a street named Ollerton Road.
The first 15 minutes was anyone's game as both teams sussed each other out.
The game opened up somewhat after this initial stage but was still evenly matched as both sides started to find attacking chances.
Adam Morrison for Ollerton Town started moving up from the midfield and had a couple of decent attempts on Athersley's goal.
The former Harworth Colliery and Worksop SJR player looked dangerous from the onset.
After half an hour, Athersley started creating more opportunities, appealing for a penalty that was denied before cascading a header off the post.
Five minutes from half-time saw Ollerton step up the pressure with one passage of play seeing three different Town players making goal attempts.
Athersley's goalkeeper deflected the ball twice before grasping it on the third shot.
In the dying stages of the half, Morrison fired one at the keeper who again deflected, which saw the home side's attacking midfielder jab it into the empty net.
An upbeat home crowd saw the teams leave the field at the break with their team up 1-0.
A substitution just after the restart led to another good attempt on goal for Ollerton who were unlucky not to go ahead by two as a Harry Hurst header was cautiously taken by the visiting goalie.
The two sides settled into a rhythm until with around 30 minutes of play remaining Athersley started trying to turn the tide.
Former AFC Mansfield keeper Dylan Hough managed to keep a couple out of the net during this time for his side as Athersley put together some attacking plays.
The visitor's tenacity paid off as Andrew Wright found the net in the 64th minute and Athersley tied it up.
The next twenty minutes were a case of back-and-forward football before the action heated up again in the final ten.
Hough made a big save in the 84th minute to keep his side in it.
Ollerton substitutes Tom Sowden and Callam Clarke put together a nice run at the other end which ended with Clarke firing it over the bar.
In one of the final attacking plays of the game for Ollerton, Ethan Thorpe crossed in a beautiful ball for Clarke who took a diving header at the goal.
The ball flew over the crossbar narrowly and gasps could be heard all around the ground.
The final whistle blew and the score ended in a tied match.
Morrison got a deserved Man of the Match accolade for his performance and goal.
The match will hopefully be a turning point for the team after a difficult period last season as the club looks to stabilise.
Changes have been made on the field and behind the scenes.
"We weren't at our best," said joint manager Craig Collins.
"We have played at other games recently where we have played better and not got anything from the game.
"Football is a funny old sport.
"Tonight we have probably not been as good as where we have been but have managed to pick up a point."
Collins said the team is still evaluating their outlook and that it was a work in progress.
"In terms of where we are at and where we see ourselves moving forward, we are competitive in two-thirds of the pitch," he said.
"I think the final third is an area we are looking to still strengthen.
"Unfortunately, they are the ones that cost you the money in terms of the ones that put the ball into the back of the net.
"Hopefully we can find one of those rough diamonds that will turn our fortunes around in front of the goal."
Collins went on to add that there were a lot of positives with the current squad.
"We have players here for the right reasons.
"They want to play for us, they want to play for the management team and they want to play for Ollerton.
"They want to do their best and they are prepared to roll up their sleeves to work hard.
"We fought hard for the point today, and you know what? We are now out of the bottom three.
"We have a point on the board.
"You take the small wins, it is a long season."
