Evo-Stik: Former Ossett rivals promote a United front

A club statement read “The new club will be called Ossett United. We realise that many of you guessed that this would be the case and it is heartening that many people suggested this as a fitting name for the new club. “We can also confirm that Ingfield, the current home of Ossett Town, will become the main home base for Ossett United with the first team playing their home games on what will become a supreme grass playing surface.” The club will also be expected to reveal plans for their new crest and brand, as well as unveiling the official Ossett United kit in the coming weeks. Both clubs will be in action this weekend as Town face a tough outing at home against second-placed Hyde United, while a potentially vital fixture sees Albion travel to relegation rivals Radcliffe Borough. With their strong recent league record giving them renewed play-off aims, Tadcaster Albion now face a testing clash against promotion contenders Clitheroe, while Brighouse Town also have a difficult outing against fourth-placed Bamber Bridge. Elsewhere, Farsley Celtic look to continue their fight for the Evo-Stik Premier play-off places when they welcome Stafford Rangers, while Frickley Athletic play Kidsgrove Athletic in Evo-Stik South, aiming to bounce back from their defeat that saw them just fall short of a club record nine successive league wins. Meanwhile, only two points now separate Harrogate Town from the National League North, giving them a chance to possibly go top tomorrow. However, they face a tough trip to highly in-form play-off contenders Kidderminster Harriers, who have scored the most goals out of anyone in the league while playing at home this season. Bradford Park Avenue will also be up against it with their outing at play-off contenders Blythe Spartans giving them the chance to close the gap on the play-off pack despite their continued dip in form. **** After a thrilling league cup tie against each other in midweek, NCE Premier promotion contenders Pontefract Collieries and Pickering Town are back in league action tomorrow, writes CONNOR CRAIG-JACKSON. Pontefract travel to struggling Parkgate hoping to kick on from last week’s victory against Thackley. A much tougher task for Pickering, meanwhile, sees them travel to promotion outsiders Hemsworth Miners Welfare, who are still to play this month after showing strong form towards the end of January. Also in confident mood recently are Garforth Town, who face a telling test tomorrow at Rainworth Miners Welfare. However, the outings do not come much tougher than Liversedge’s tomorrow, as they make the trip to league leaders AFC Mansfield, who have not lost a league match since October. Meanwhile, Harrogate Railway look to create breathing space between themselves and the relegation places when they travel to Bottesford Town. With their automatic promotion hopes seemingly slipping away, Yorkshire Amateur face what could be a must-win match against struggling Worsborough Town in NCE Division One. A surprisingly ruthless attacking performance in their last outing will give Nostell Miners Welfare renewed confidence of another scalp tonight. Their early fixture sees them host promotion-chasing Selby Town who will be bidding to strengthen their grip on the play-off places. Still bearing a firm hold on the league summit are Knaresborough Town, however. They welcome an in-form Winterton Rangers side tomorrow. Both Knaresbrough and Yorkshire Amateur will be hoping AFC Emley can get a result tomorrow as another difficult outing sees them face automatic promotion chasers, Grimsby Borough.