Congratulations to Ossett United students, Carl Clarkson and Aiden Croft who made their first team debut on Tuesday in a 2-1 victory over Garforth Town.
Clarkson and Croft were named on the bench for Ossett United's West Riding County Cup 2nd round fixture alongside fellow NPLFA students Pawel Topa and Tyler Walker.
Carl Clarkson was the first to make his debut, replacing Tom Greaves in the first half.
He became the 57th player from the NPL Football Academy to make his first team debut and the first ever student from Ossett United to do so!
The striker scored a hat trick last week for the academy side in a 1-6 win over Belper Town and it’s good to see his talents being recognised.
Speaking after the game, Ossett United manager, Wayne Benn said: ‘Young Carl, when he came on early doors for Greavesy, I thought he came on and acquitted himself really really well.
‘I think a plus point of tonight is that certainly Carl and Aiden when he went on, the best thing you can say about them is they didn’t look massively out of place so credit to them.’
Aiden Croft made his debut as a second half substitute and helped Ossett claim the victory and advance to the third round of the county cup.
He became the 58th player from the NPL Football Academy to make his first team debut.
Wayne Benn continued: ‘We’ve just asked them go and play, have a smile on their face and have no fear and I think they’ve done that.
‘Going forward whether we’ll see them in the squads again, potentially, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have them around when we’re stretched with injuries or suspensions and we’ve not got the biggest squad so it’s quite feasible that we’ll see them in future squads.’
Both Carl and Aiden have been in brilliant form so far for their Ossett United academy side who currently sit in fourth spot in the Joma Division table and they both thoroughly deserve their call up to the first team.
Well done Carl and Aiden!