After winning the Play on the Pitch tournament last season when under U8s, Ossett Town Panthers youngsters returned to Elland Road as U9s to see if they could defend their title.
Coaches, players and supporters were all excited to see the lads showcase their ability at one of the Premier League’s most iconic stadiums.
And despite extreme heat, the Panthers were brilliant throughout the day, managing each game well, playing on the front foot and showing real quality to win the prestigious Play on the Pitch tournament for the second year running.
In the group stage, the Panthers drew one and won two to finish top of their group. Their attacking style and positive play set them up nicely for the knockout stage against the other first placed teams.
Victorious Ossett Twn Panthers U9s on the Elland Road pitch after they won the Play on the Pitch tournament at the home of Leeds United.placeholder image
Victorious Ossett Twn Panthers U9s on the Elland Road pitch after they won the Play on the Pitch tournament at the home of Leeds United.
In their semi-final, the Ossett youngsters faced a technical Boro Rangers side who had travelled down from the North East. After a nervy start, the lads found their rhythm and created a number of good chances.
A sublime strike eventually broke the deadlock and despite more opportunities not being taken the game finished 1-0, sending the Panthers into the final.
The final was set against local rivals White Rose, a team the boys know well from league football.
It was a nervy affair, even after the Panthers took the lead. White Rose reacted brilliantly and went full throttle in search of an equaliser. A fantastic effort was tipped onto the bar and from the resulting corner the ball somehow stayed out after a goalmouth scramble, much to the delight of the Ossett players and supporters.
Liversedge Cup winners 2026 Ossett Town Panthers U9s celebrate after the tournament played at the Clayborn Stadium.placeholder image
Liversedge Cup winners 2026 Ossett Town Panthers U9s celebrate after the tournament played at the Clayborn Stadium.
That scare seemed to spark the Panthers back into life. They found another gear, created more chances, and with a few minutes to go, another sublime strike put any doubts aside.
The final finished 2-0, meaning the Panthers deservedly defended their title and finished first out of 16 teams.
It was another fantastic experience and even more memories made for a team now playing their third season together under the guidance of Dan Stead and Simon Coates.
The Panthers were also invited to play in the Liversedge Cup, on the Northern Premier League team’s Clayborn pitch, against some excellent teams from across the region.
It was a brilliant evening of competitive tournament football with the Panthers having to show resilience throughout to run out winners again.
The group stage saw them pick up three wins, one draw and one defeat across five games.
In a few matches, the lads found themselves behind, but each time they showed brilliant bounce-back ability to stay calm, keep playing and find a way back
With four out of the six teams progressing, the Panthers reached the semi-finals where they faced a strong side from the North East – the same team who had beaten them earlier in the group stage.
Looking for revenge, Ossett started brightly but were caught on the counter and found themselves 1-0 down.
They did not panic, kept playing and creating and deservedly equalised. With momentum on their side, they went 2-1 up.
But just when it looked like the game was done, a desperate long ball into the box somehow found its way in to make it 2-2, meaning penalties were needed to decide the outcome..
A tense shoot-out followed, with both teams scoring, missing and the drama building. It was the Panthers who held their nerve, though, with a brilliant save sending them into the final.
That set up a mouth-watering clash against top opposition in Gomersal & Cleckheaton. It was a much cagier affair, with both teams showing real respect for each other.
However, it was the Panthers who created the bigger chances and, after taking the lead, added a second to put the game to bed.
The Ossett youngsters had achieved more cup glory in a highly competitive tournament and it has been a brilliant effort from every single player that has seen the side enjoy two memorable summer tournament successes.
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