Steeton 4 Hall Green 1

Striker Lee Reilly marked his first start of the season with a hat-trick to help Steeton to an emphatic win.

Michael Rhodes also returned at right back, after missing the 3-1 defeat at Campion in midweek, but the Chevrons suffered an early blow when Arley Barnes landed awkwardly and suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury.

He was replaced by Sam Rooke, with Pete Hanson moving into midfield.

Despite the setback, Steeton took the lead on the 20-minute mark when Andy Holden fed Rhodes and he sent over an inviting cross for Reilly, who had done well to pull off his marker, to head home.

The lead was quickly doubled when Holden slipped in Reilly and he showed great composure to slip the ball past the keeper.

The second half saw Steeton turn up the pressure, with skipper Damien White-oak pulling the strings.

A great ball from Holden fizzed past the post and Hanson just failed to get the right connection from the edge of the box.

The game was sealed when a move started by Danny McNulty at left back found Whiteoak, who in turn slipped in Reilly and he drew the keeper before slotting home to complete his hat-trick.

A defensive mix-up led to Lewis Richardson heading home to pull one back with 15 minutes to go.

Steeton thought they had regained their three-goal advantage when Holden’s shot was parried and Adam Spencer rolled the ball into an empty net, only to see the goal ruled out for offside. But Spencer wasn’t to be denied as he curled a great shot over the diving keeper to ensure the points were in the bag.

Steeton’s next game is on Saturday when they host Storthes Hall (2.30pm).

Boss Roy Mason said: “I was pleased with the way we approached the game and we created plenty of chances.

“We were questioning our luck when we lost Arley as our injury list is mounting. But the players did very well and, even though it is early season, having no midweek game this week is a bit of a blessing.”