Steeton AFC v Uppermill

Recap

STEETON recorded their biggest victory of the season to date with a thrashing of bottom of the league Uppermill.

Despite falling behind early, the Chevrons responded with five goals before the half-time break.

And manager Roy Mason was left delighted by his side finally converting their chances after rueing missed opportunities in front of goal in recent weeks.

After an even start to proceedings, Uppermill, winless since their promotion to the semi-professional ranks, broke the deadlock with a counter attack.

Winning a free-kick near to the opposition’s box, the Chevrons hit the wall.

Seizing an opportunity, the visitors broke down the pitch and played the ball into the path of Noah Olaleken.

The striker buried his chance to give his side the lead.

The Chevrons responded immediately.

From a well worked set-piece routine, Macca Smith worked the ball to Arley Barnes.

The skipper turned the ball towards goal where Kevin Gonzalez was on hand to tap home from close range and level up the scoreboard.

From here, it became all one way traffic as Steeton turned on the style and ran riot.

Two goals in three minutes opened up a two goal advantage.

The hosts first worked the ball down the right channel and into the path of Andy Briggs on his first appearance at Marley following his return to the club.

He sent the ball across the face of goal to Gonzalez who turned home both his and his side’s second from the edge of the six yard box.

Briggs then turned scorer as he did what he does best when wearing green and white of his hometown club.

Alfie Dowden played the ball inside from the left channel into the striker’s path.

Turning on the edge of the area, Briggs found the bottom corner from range to make the evening’s work comfortable for the home side.

Uppermill had a chance to bring themselves back into the contest but were denied by a superb double save from Brad Emmerson.

However, it was only a matter of time before the fourth goal came.

Gonzalez broke down the left channel and whipped a cross deep to the back post where it was turned home by the onrushing Josh Coe.

Coe’s header meaning the striker has now hit double figures for the campaign.

Then on the brink of half-time, Gonzalez capped off his fine individual performance by making sure he would be taking home the match ball.

Another break down the channels freed Joe Edmonds on the right.

His delivery was allowed to bounce within the penalty area and Gonzalez reacted quickest and found the back of the net.

The second-half proved a much quieter affair but did not come without opportunity and talking points.

The hosts nearly continued their goalscoring prowess within seconds of the restart.

Coe held off his marker and created an opportunity for himself from twenty-five yards out.

The towering striker got his shot off from range but was denied a second of the evening.

Steeton then nearly gifted their visitors a second goal of the contest.

Majed Alasttal played a back pass from the halfway line, sending Emmerson scrambling back towards the goal.

The keeper recovered showing pace his wingers would have been proud off to prevent a calamity and clear the danger.

Uppermill’s evening then went from bad to worse as they were reduced to ten men.

Oli Monday, who had been booked in the first half, was shown a second yellow that saw the defender sent for an early shower.

From there, Steeton saw the game out to continue their recent run of good form.

STEETON (Subs): Emmerson; M Smith; Dowden; Barnes; Storton; Spence; Edmonds (Longley); Fernandez (Alasttal); Coe (Burrows); Gonzalez (Terrelonge); Briggs.

GOALS (Assist): Gonzalez 11’ (Barnes), 21’ (Briggs), 45+1’ (Edmonds); Briggs 23’ (Dowden); Coe 35’ (Gonzalez)