Holker Old Boys v Steeton AFC

Recap

STEETON continued their unbeaten start to the new campaign as they came from behind to record victory away at Holker Old Boys.

On an afternoon played against the backdrop of glorious sunshine with a breeze in the air in the Cumbrian countryside, these two sides entered the contest as first and second in the early league standings.

Yet it would be Roy Mason’s side moved joint top of the division with a dogged display against a Holker side who began their season with comprehensive victories.

Yet a display built on the foundations of a solid first half saw the Chevrons remain second in the division as they made it six points from six for their week’s work.

The first half proved a tight affair with both sides having chances to find the opener.

Lewis Gartland thought he was the man who had done just that, but the offside flag cut short any celebrations from the winger.

Moments later Aidan Kirby hit the post before Holker went on the counter and won a free kick.

From said set piece, they struck the crossbar in what was already proving to be a tense affair between the early season pacesetters in the division.

It would not be the only time before the interval as Holker would twice more strike the woodwork of the Steeton goal as they continued to push down the slope in the hope of taking a lead into the half-time break.

Holker began the second half brightly and was rewarded with the afternoon’s opening goal.

Gartland’s strike stinged the palms of the goalkeeper and the home side hit on the counter.

Moving up the slope, the Old Boys moved the ball to the feet of Farryl Foster who fired past Brad Emmerson and put the hosts in the lead.

The visitors immediately pushed for parity but the closest they came was on the hour mark as Arley Barnes saw his strike deflected over the Old Boys bar.

The wind then became a massive factor in the game, with a quick fire double from Steeton not only using the conditions in their favour but also providing two able assists to make sure the three points returned to West Yorkshire.

The equaliser was a prime example of using the conditions to your favour.

Forcing a corner, Gartland whipped the ball into the box.

Catching the breeze, it eluded the sea of bodies inside the box and dipped over the head of Matthew Bailey in the Holker goal and into the top corner.

Bailey’s torment from the breeze was only just beginning as he would fall foul of the windy conditions down towards his slope once again for the Chevvies winner.

Stuck in the bottom corner of the pitch, Macca Smith took a short throw to Mark Hoban.

The midfielder in turn looked for options and found the feet of Mbako Chalashika, the centre-back pushing forward to provide an extra body.

With no options at his disposal, Chalashika opted to send the ball into the box in hope of finding a fellow white shirt.

Instead, Bailey came out to catch the cross and spilt the ball behind him towards his own goal.

The referee and linesman both did not hesitate to rule the ball had crossed the line and awarded the goal.

Holker hit the woodwork whilst looking to take a point, but the visitors held strong to leave victorious once more from a happy hunting ground since their promotion into the semi-professional ranks.

Steeton now move on to a second consecutive top of the table clash next Saturday away at Thornton Cleveleys.

STEETON (Subs): Emmerson; Barnes; Williamson; Chalashika; Shaw; Hoban; Townsend; Mitchell (Holgate); Kirby; M Smith (Lynn); Gartland (Kelly). Subs (Not Used): J Smith; Coe.

GOALS (Assists): Gartland 67’; Chalashika 75’ (Hoban)