Steeton narrowly lose to Euxton Villa in tempestuous clash

In a game which was controlled by the home side in the first half and the Chevrons in the second, the visitors were punished for not taking their chances on goal in a bad-tempered encounter.

And despite another committed performance in which Roy Mason’s side will feel they should have left with a point, they were again left frustrated for not turning possession into goals and more importantly points.

Steeton nearly got off to the worst possible start just three minutes into the game.

James Catlow was caught out of position, but Arley Barnes managed to get back to clear off the line to deny Ethan Danku.

Catlow then became the hero as he kept parity with a superb outstretched save to turn a goal bound effort over the crossbar, before a brave low save to deny Dan Singleton.

The afternoon’s first confrontation, which set the tone for the rest of the game, came midway through the half as Jake Townsend and Cameron Ross exchanged unpleasantries following a push from the former as they challenged for the ball.

Steeton had their only real chance of the first half shortly before the interval, but Josh Debenham got the ball stuck beneath his feet at the key moment.

Starting the second half brightly, Mason’s side created a superb opportunity to take the lead as Townsend beat the offside trap, yet his delivery went just behind Debenham.

The home side launched a counter attack from which they broke the deadlock.

Working the ball to the edge of the area, Alex Colquhoun took hold off the ball and finding himself with space, the Villa skipper launched one past Catlow for what proved the afternoon’s only goal.

This further lit the fuse, as just a minute later the referee was forced to intervene as handbags came out in back play.

And there was a chance for Euxton to double their lead, but Catlow made an outstanding double save to turn the ball on the bar and away from his goal for a corner.

James Catlow was superb all afternoon, as Euxton could have been out of sight without him in goal for Steeton. (Image: Ian Meachin.)

Now a goal behind, the Chevrons dug in as they looked to find the equaliser.

Winning a free kick in a promising position, Alex Stewart put a superb delivery towards the penalty spot.

Josh Coe found himself with a free header inside the area but unfortunately put it straight at the keeper rather than either side for the leveller.

Moments after, Coe clashed with Ross, leading to yet another exchange between the two sets of players.

The fireworks did not end there, Harvey Green seeing a yellow card for a late challenge that saw further exchanges between the two sets of players.

Backed into a corner, the referee had no choice but to speak with the two dugouts after a 50/50 challenge near to the touchline allowed tensions to boil over further.

The green wave continued to push but could not find the back of the net as Gregorio Barnett saw a header fly high and wide.

Deep into injury time, the visitors' agony was complete.

In the 94th minute, the width of the post denied them a point to return home with, as Lewis Gartland’s outstanding free kick was met by Macca Smith's diving header.

With the Euxton keeper beaten, the ball came back off the post and was cleared away from danger.

Steeton now move on to this Saturday and what already looks like a six-pointer against fellow early season strugglers, Darwen.