Route One Rovers v Steeton AFC

Recap

STEETON spread some festive joy as they recorded their first ever triumph in the Marley Derby.

After losing the previous four meetings with Route One Rovers, Roy Mason’s side took the spoils with a solid team performance built on the backbone of a Man of the Match performance from goalkeeper Brad Emmerson.

Ending the sides near two months wait for a league victory in the process, the win moved the Chevrons six points clear of the bottom three and left the manager feeling optimistic that he has the foundations to build upon in the second half of the season.

A pulsating end-to-end encounter in front of a healthy crowd, the game free flowed throughout with all the spirit and hostility to be expected of local derby with eight yellow cards brandished by the official.

Route One had the better of the early opportunities with two golden opportunities being cleared from inside the area by first Jacob Smith and then Arley Barnes.

At the other end, Steeton’s only real opportunity was skied over the crossbar from range by Harvey Green.

The opening goal just before the half hour mark, Steeton taking the lead with a well worked team goal.

Harvey Green played a long ball towards the edge of the Route One box, Josh Debenham flicking the ball with his heel into the path of Jake Townsend.

The winger controlled the ball before getting the wrong side of the defender to find himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Now baring down on goal, Townsend placed the ball beneath the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

Trailing head into the break, Rovers applied pressure to the Steeton goal but found themselves thwarted by Emmerson between the sticks.

The Steeton goalkeeper made a string of outstanding saves, denying Anees Younis twice from free kicks near to the box.

Younis would then be denied for a third time, as his curled effort from just inside the area was tipped over the crossbar by the raised and stretched hand of Emmerson.

Early in the second half, Route One were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise.

A well worked short corner routine freed Muhammad Arshad inside the box, Green’s efforts to thwart the midfield getting a shot off on goal so him tumble Arshad.

The referee was left with no option to point to the spot.

Emmerson however proved the hero of the hour once more, successfully diving low to his right to save Zak Khan’s spot kick and keep Steeton in the lead.

Steeton had their chances to score a second, putting the result beyond doubt, Townsend seeing a strike blocked with Debenham putting the rebound just wide of the far post.

Midway through the half, the Chevrons doubled their lead with the goal that would secure their victory.

Josh Coe was pushed through the back near to the edge of the area, the referee awarding the visitors a free kick.

With the box loaded with bodies, Sam Lloyd whipped the delivery across the box.

Bodies and limbs were flying everywhere, the referee allowing advantage instead of pointing to the spot and Jacob Smith made the most of the advantage played.

The defender would lose his man and head home into the roof of the net sparking wild scenes of jubilation amongst away players, staff, and supporters, alike.

With frustrations boiling over following the second goal, the game threatened to break down with a number of late and reckless challenges forcing the referee to continue the distribution of cards.

Fortunately for those involved, the cards would be yellow instead of Christmas.

STEETON (Subs): Emmerson; M Smith; Lloyd; Barnes; J Smith; Holgate; Green; Walne (Mitchell); Debenham (Williamson); Coe (Lynn); Townsend (Gartland)

GOALS (Assists): Townsend 28’ (Debenham); J Smith 71’ (Lloyd)