Ollerton Put Up Fight But Go Down to High-Flying Knaresborough

Ollerton Town were beaten 2-0 by league leaders Knaresborough Town on Saturday but ended with immense credit, with a late charge in particular leading the Yorkshire-based visitors hanging on.
The game was played at a very high tempo from the first whistle with both sides having chances early on. Knaresborough were especially threatening out on the wings and looked to have the upper hand early on but it was Ollerton who had the first real chance of the game as a long ball from goalkeeper Joey McCormack looped over the Knaresborough defence towards Lewis Bingham but the outstretched midfielder saw his lobbed effort sail just over.
Ollerton had some success from long balls but were forced backwards by a Knaresborough side that really started to assert control on the game and took the lead in the 27th minute. Brad Walker’s shot was well saved by McCormack but Steve Bromley was the first to react to the rebound to put Knaresborough deservedly ahead.
Both teams still had chances throughout the rest of the first half but Knaresborough deployed a far more cautious and combative style after their first goal and were really able to take the sting out of the game. They proved themselves to be a well organised defensive unit and shots on goal were increasingly hard to come by as Knaresborough ended the half with a one goal lead.
Knaresborough continued to adopt a more defensive approach but were still able to work well off the counter as Rob Youhill was able to double their advantage in the 50th minute. Youhill was lucky to retain the ball as it took multiple deflections while he was dribbling through but he made no mistake with his finish as he calmly slotted past McCormack for a two goal lead.
The game looked to be slipping away from Ollerton as Knaresborough were able to control the game and nullify Ollerton’s offence but changes from the Ollerton bench were able to swing the momentum of the game. Ollerton went from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-3-3 formation with three strikers and no discernible defensive midfielder and really started to take the game to Knaresborough.
Ollerton looked like a far more threatening offensive outlet after the changes and arguably should’ve had a penalty when Sean Dickinson was lining up an effort on goal but was took out recklessly by Dan Clayton.
The decision didn’t go Ollerton’s way but Ollerton continued to press forward and an incisive counter saw Ludlow clip the ball towards Burrell who watched the Knaresborough keeper rush past the ball but he wasn’t able to get his shot off quickly enough and saw his effort blocked by a Knaresborough defender.
Ollerton continued to trouble the Knaresborough and had the most clear cut chance of the game as Burrell floated a ball towards Dickinson at the back post who headed the ball for what looked to be a certain goal but was denied by a miraculous save by Jack Rushworth.
Knaresborough had started to show defensive vulnerabilities but Ollerton wasted another guilt edged opportunity as Kyle Ludlow whipped a ball in from the left hand side towards Burrell but the substitute was unable to convert from close range.
Knaresborough were eventually able to see out a well fought 2-0 victory but were pushed all the way by a relentless Ollerton side. The league leaders were in control for large portions of the game but will have been grateful that Ollerton weren’t more clinical during their late onslaught.