Steeton on losing end of seven-goal thriller

Steeton lost by one goal in a pulsating seven-goal thriller at Summerhill Lane on Saturday. However the game will be remembered more for two controversial penalty decisions.

Steeton made the best possible start when the made the breakthrough after only two minutes. Good work from Johnny Lawrence in the box lead to the ball being stabbed home from close by Colin Horsfield.

Horsfield then nearly doubled the lead after ten minutes when again Lawrence was the provider with a neat lay off, but his shot just whizzed over the bar.

At the other end Crag were beginning to assert some pressure themselves and Joe Park was alert on a couple of occasions to avert the danger.

Steeton doubled their lead on the half hour mark as James Wiggan's long kick bounced on the edge of the opposition box and Lawrence showed his bravery when he got his head to the ball before the advancing keeper to head Steeton into a two-goal lead.

Mark Hardman went close as Steeton looked to turn the screw. However with only two minutes remaining before the interval Crag pulled one back. Steeton got sloppy in the midfield and gave the ball away and Crag capitalised to give themselves a goal just at the right time.

Within five minutes of the second half the game saw the first of two controversial penalty decisions. As the ball bounced in the Steeton box the ball appeared the hit the Crag Road striker on the arm and roll out for a Steeton goal-kick. As the Crag Road players retreated the referee amazingly awarded Crag a penalty kick much to the bemusement of both sets of players. Wiggan made a superb save from the resulting kick only to see the Crag striker quickest on the follow up to draw the sides level.

Crag seemed at this point to be getting the upper hand, but Steeton showed character and bounced back when Nicky Trowers struck a superb shot past the despairing Crag keeper to give the locals the lead again.

The lead lasted just ten minutes as Steeton failed to deal with a corner and the loose ball was stabbed home. Within a minute Crag took the lead as their midfielder hit an amazing strike from 30 yards to give Wiggan no chance.

Steeton piled on the pressure and Mark Wilson struck over the bar as they fought to get back into the game. Lawrence had a goal disallowed for a harsh hand ball and then the referee gave them a lifeline when he awarded Steeton a penalty for hand ball. Again the decision seemed harsh.

Dave Scott stepped up but drove his kick straight at the keeper and then the keeper reacted to block the rebound. Sam Rooke also had his attempt blocked as Crag finally hooked the ball clear.

In injury time Wiggan's volley from a corner looked goal bound before a Crag head cleared off the line. This was Steeton's last chance and their recent good run came to an end.

This Saturday Steeton face another tough game as South Bradford visit Summerhill Lane. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Kirkburton 0 Bronte Wanderers 0 Bronte Wanderers secured a draw against division leaders Kirkburton on Saturday.

In a game of few chances, Bronte came closest to scoring in the first half through Joel Gallagher but his shot was drilled against the post from ten yards.

Bronte keeper David Bainbridge had a quieter time of it, though he got down quickly to save a shot from Kirkburton's striker.

Bronte began and finished the first half at a brisk pace, but in between Kirkburton did manage to show from time to time why they are top of Division One.

Liam Blacka showcased his marauding ability in the centre of midfield in those early stages, while as the first half drew to a close, Kirkburton's keeper was twice called into action.

Bronte's David Nelson had a shot that looked to have beaten their keeper, who somehow managed to dive and clutch hold of the ball.

With just one in attack, Kirkburton lacked the necessary numbers to regularly test the Bronte defence. Bainbridge only had two moments of real concern in those frenetic opening 45 minutes.

Kirkburton's number 11 put in a dangerous cross early on, while their striker went close with a shot from just outside the box.

James Bailey had the clearest opening of the match when his intelligent run was picked out by Nelson. The former Oxenhope star managed to blaze over the bar from 12 yards when he looked certain to score.

It was only in the second half that Bronte's fluid passing game got going and even when it was up and running they proved unable to consistently test Kirkburton's keeper.

Nelson, with the pass of the game, sent a 40-yard cross field ball to substitute Dave Alderson which he looked certain to get on the end of but his out-stretched leg was unable to reach it.

For all Bronte's effort and good work they could not break down a tough Kirkburton side who had won 15 games on the bounce before this tie.

Credit must go to the Bronte defence for keeping a clean sheet and Martin Maude who was outstanding.

Next up for Bronte is Eastmoor at Marley on Saturday.

Rawdon Old Boys Reserves 0 Steeton Reserves 3 Steeton Reserves completed the league double over lowly Rawdon despite a below par performance, in their first game after the festive season.

The win once again restored them at the top of the Reserve Division, keeping the pressure on Bay Athletic Reserves who were not in league action.

In a scrappy game a tall Rawdon side proved to be awkward opposition and Steeton had to wait until the 35th minute for the breakthrough.

Chris Fothergill picked out a pass to from full back Dave McManus to make it 1-0. Just before half-time Fothergill made it 2-0 when he put away a pass set up by Tony Cooper.

Fifteen minutes from time Steeton wrapped up the victory when Rawdon's keeper attempted a clearance that rebounded off Rick Hall and into the net.

l Keighley Shamrocks first team were due to play Brighouse Town last Saturday, but match was postponed. This Saturday the Shammies play at home to Golcar United.