STEETON continued their recent fine run of form with a comeback victory against bottom of the league Ashton Athletic.
Despite trailing at the break on the back of a wonder goal from the struggling visitors in a tight first half, a dominant second half saw the Chevrons turn the game on its head and with it secure the three points.
Moving within four points of a play-off place as a result of the win, Roy Mason and his side will be looking to continue to push on in the second half of the season in a division in which only seven points separate the leaders and 13th position.
Steeton spurned an early opportunity to break the deadlock and were punished immediately after just eight minutes.
Being forced wide by the hosts defence, Sam Gill maintained possession and after skipping through a couple of challenges on the edge of the box curled a wonderful effort from range over Brad Emmerson’s outstretched arm into the top corner.
Looking to respond immediately, Steeton created two chances but after a corner rolled across the face of goal and away from danger, Aidan Kirby was denied by the Athletic keeper.
The game then became scrappy with the referee forced into brandishing a number of yellow cards as both teams struggled to get a foothold to take control of the encounter.
Ashton were unlucky to not double their lead after the half hour mark as Gill raced through on goal and beat Emmerson, fortunately the strike came back off the woodwork and was cleared to safety.
Following the restart, it was all Steeton as the home side showed why they are good value for their recent upturn in results.
The home side came out of the traps firing and were desperately unlucky to not level immediately as a Macca Smith delivery was headed against the post by Josh Coe.
Midway through the half, the equaliser came and would be followed by a second in the space of four minutes as the Chevrons turned the game on its head.
And it would be two thirds of a triple substitution made by Mason who more than played their part in the swing Steeton’s way.
Jake Townsend, just introduced into the fray, made an immediate impact with a trademark delivery from the left wing.
Kirby lost his man to power home a header from close range to register his sixth goal of the season.
With momentum now firmly in their favour, Lewis Gartland drove up the left channel and whipped his cross into the box.
A tangle ensued and the ball fell to Harley Lawton, himself only just introduced from the bench, to fire home his first goal since joining the club from Padiham and with it putting the men in green into the lead.
Now into the lead, the home side wanted to put the result beyond doubt and continued in the ascendancy but would have to wait until the final minute of regulation time for their third goal.
After more promising attacking play, the visitors were forced to concede a corner.
Macca Smith’s in swinging delivery was met by the head of Keann Shaw in the midst of a crowded six yard box.
The centre half sparking wild celebrations as his first goal for the club since his move to Marley last summer from Oxenhope Recreation made sure the points would be staying in West Yorkshire.
Steeton will be looking to continue to move up the table next weekend as they make the tough yet tantalising trip across the Pennines to face the division’s promotion favourites, Nelson.
STEETON (Subs): Emmerson; M Smith; Williamson (Townsend); Barnes; Shaw; Moloney; Edmonds (J Smith); Kelly (Khan); Kirby (Lynn); Coe (Lawton); Gartland.
GOALS (Assist): Kirby 69’ (Townsend); Lawton 73’ (Gartland); Shaw 89’ (M Smith)
