Ossett Town welcomed 1874 Northwich to Ingfield for the 3rd qualifying round FA Cup replay following the 2-2 draw away at Northwich last Saturday. The Reds were being held to a 1-1 draw with 3 minutes to go before Alex Peterson scored his 2nd goal of the game to put Ossett into a 2-1 lead with 2 minutes to go. In the last minute, Adam Whitlock broke through into the Town area after some poor defending to slot the ball past Overton to take the game to a replay.

The replay was going to be a tough game as Northwich had shown in the first game exactly why they knocked Mossley out in the 2nd round.

Straight from the kick off, Ossett were on the front foot attacking the visitors and the first chance of the game came when Anthony Mackie cut in from the right and passed to Sam Wright who found Steve Ridley unmarked on the edge of the box but his shot flew over the bar.

Mackie puts a pass in behind the defence to Sam Wright who pulls the ball back to Kai Hancock who tries to lob the keeper but sees the ball go over the bar.

Mackie breaks down the right wing and crosses into the box, Alex Peterson chests the ball into the path of Kai Hancock who puts a tame effort into the keepers hands.

Ash Jackson fires in a long throw which is headed on by Hancock to Peterson who volleys over the bar.

Peterson beats 2 players on the edge of the box and unleashes a fierce shot which is just over the bar.

It's fair to say the Reds really should be 2 or 3 goals up after 15 minutes with the chances that have been created.

A mistake from the visiting keeper who ends up wide outside his own area and can only watch as Peterson curls in a shot towards the empty net but the ball just misses the near post and out for a goal kick.

Good interplay between the Northwich No 7 & No 9 culminates in a shot from No 9 which goes well wide.

Half Time: Ossett Town 0 Northwich 0

In a tactical move, Josh Snowdon is replaced by Seon Ripley who slots into wide right in midfield with Anthony Mackie dropping into the back 3.

Mackie is replaced by Danny Gibbons after being elbowed in a challenge leading to a slight concussion and a fat lip.

A good 2nd half performance by both sides with plenty of scoring chances at both ends with both keepers pulling off several quality saves.

The home side were lucky not to go 1-0 down as No 11 crosses into the Reds area and Whitlock hits it well over the bar from 8 yards out.

With 5 minutes of normal time to play either side could have won this tie but for some resolute defending.

Full time: Ossett Town 0 1874 Northwich 0

In extra time, again both sides had chances to put this tie to bed but at the end of extra time the score remained at 0-0 and so on to the dreaded penalty shootout.

It's fair to say that the Reds nemesis all season has been penalty taking where we have missed more than we have scored so statistically all did not bode well for the Reds.

Dramatic scenes ensued as Manager Grant Black asked for volunteer penalty kick takers. The 7 players who stepped forward were,

1. Alex Peterson (scored)
2. Alex Low (keeper saves)
3. Corey Gregory (scored)
4. Kai Hancock (scored)
5. Martin Pembleton (scored)
6. Issac Assenso (keeper saves)

As the Ossett Town supporters & players watched Northwich 6th penalty saved by Overton and then their 7th penalty hit the bar it meant that if Ossett scored their 7th penalty they would win the tie, so no pressure on Seon Ripley (pictured) as he walked forward, placed the ball and smashed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to send the Reds through to the 4th qualifying round of the FA cup for the first time in the clubs long history and in doing so sending the management, players & supporters into raptures & amazing scenes ensued on the pitch as everyone involved with the club celebrated with wild abandon. Such days are rare & special and should be enjoyed to the fullest.

Northwich should be proud of their performances in both ties, they have showed what a good side they are and whilst taking nothing away from the Reds, this was a game either side could have won, but with a strong defensive performance and some tireless running in midfield & up front, especially from the hard working Sam Wright, Ossett Town have earned an away tie against National league side Solihull Moors in the 4th Qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Solihull have not started the season well having played 14 games, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 10 losses and are currently sat second bottom in the league with only 8 points. A win against them would see the Reds in the draw for the 1st round proper of the FA Cup.

All Town are we !!!! Let's keep dreaming ?⚽️?⚽️??