Quickfire Armthorpe Double Sees Ollerton Defeated

Ollerton Town failed to make it back-to-back wins on Saturday as Armthorpe Welfare ran out 2-0 winners in a game where neither team were able to create many chances of real significance.

After a somewhat messy start where neither side could really develop any rhythm, the game almost came to life as young Jack Dickens in the Ollerton goal was caught off his line by Wayne Brook’s audacious lob from 50 yards out but it thankfully ricocheted off the bar and was eventually cleared away.
Aside from a few wayward long shots, Armthorpe looked quite impotent going forward and struggled to break down the young centre back partnership of James Weaver and Liam Cooper who looked to be in complete control for most of the first half.
Ollerton looked to be the better team when in possession but they also really struggled to carve out that final ball to finish of a move.
Ashley Shannon appeared to be the bright spark in the Ollerton attack in the first half and a cut back from the right wing found Josh Bowkett on the edge of the box who might’ve been slightly disappointed to not at least find the target in what was Ollerton’s best chance of the half.

Armthorpe started the second half in a far more positive manor than they did the first and could’ve broke the deadlock as a curling cross from Gary Collier found Morgan Brough at the back post but a great reflex save from Jack Dickens kept it all square.
Armthorpe had an even better chance to open the scoring as substitute Alan Jackson found himself unmarked at the back post but a careless finish ended up just to the left of the Ollerton goal.
Shortly after Mo Selassie was able to pick out Brough with a low cross but Dickens was equal to the effort once again.
Ollerton appeared to have weathered the storm and slowed down the early onslaught from Armthorpe and arguably should’ve took the lead after a perfectly weighted corner from Lewis Bingham found the unmarked Ben Bowring but his glancing header sailed just wide of the far post.
Just as Ollerton looked to have regained their foothold in the game, they went behind. A cross from Mo Selassie was unfortunately fumbled into the Ollerton net by Dickens, who up until this point had showcased great shot stopping abilities.
Ollerton appeared to be slightly deflated after conceding this goal and coach Jordan Wildey referenced in the post match interview that Ollerton lost their shape and stopped playing football after the first goal went in.
Only 6 minutes after the first goal, Armthorpe doubled their advantage with a low free kick from Gary Collier which found its way past Dickens. The referee initially ruled the goal out as the free kick was indirect but after consolation with his linesman, the man in the middle awarded goal stating that Dickens got the final touch.
Even with the two goal deficit Ollerton still managed to look threatening as Bingham’s free kick was fumbled by Dan Montgomery but Shannon’s effort on the rebound was straight down the middle at and saved again by Montgomery.
In the final moments of the match Darran Mansaram was sent off for Armthorpe after an altercation with Sam West where he appeared to grab the substitute by the throats and was justly sent off but Armthorpe has already secured the victory at this point.

In the end, Ollerton failed to make the most of the periods where they were on top in the first half and when Armthorpe lifted their performance in the second half, they managed to get the goals to secure the win.
Ollerton now move on to a big week with a Notts Senior Cup tie against Radcliffe Olympic on Wednesday before welcoming Shirebrook Town to The Lane for a local derby next Saturday.

Report by William Lavelle.