Steeton's unbeaten run is halted (From Keighley News)

Steeton's unbeaten run is halted

10:14am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport

Hall Green 2 Steeton 1

Steeton suffered their first West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division defeat since August and only their second of the season after 17 games.

The Chevrons had to weather the storm in the opening period as the home side looked to avenge a 2-1 defeat at Summerhill Lane a few weeks ago.

Andy King went close as he cut in from the left, his effort being deflected into the side-netting. King flashed another effort wide as Steeton started to get their passing game going.

Arley Barnes and Damien Whiteoak started to get on the ball for the visitors and, with Pete Hanson winning the aerial battles in the middle of the park, Steeton took the lead on 26 minutes.

Jamie Longley found Chris Simpson in the box and he steadied himself before rifling through the keeper’s legs.

Barnes went close with a long-range effort as Steeton looked to double their lead while, at the other end, Phil Rishton did well to get down and parry a shot wide of the post.

Simpson again went close in the closing stages of the half as he headed Michael Rhodes’ free-kick just over.

Hall Green were rejuvenated after the break, with Rishton having to make a good save early on.

King again went close after good work from Andy Holden and Han-son struck wide.

But the hosts levelled when a free-kick was swung into the box and Jamie Miller headed past the advancing Rishton.

King headed wide from Whiteoak’s cross and Rishton did well to parry another long-range effort.

Steeton looked to have grabbed the lead back but Hanson’s hooked effort came back off the post.

With 13 minutes left Michael Rhodes brought down Clifton Firth in the box and the referee awarded a penalty which was taken by Chris Callaghan. Rishton guessed right and saved, only to see the spot-kick bounce straight back into Callaghan’s path for him to tap home.

Steeton threw caution to the wind as Hanson and Jimmy Christian were sacrificed in favour of a 2-4-4 formation for the final ten minutes but the home side held out to inflict the first away defeat of the campaign on the Chevrons.

Boss Roy Mason said: “It was a disappointing result and I felt we should have been more than one goal up. But credit to Hall Green, who made it difficult for us.

“The players have put together a remarkable run and to have only lost two league games by March is a great achievement. We now need to put another run together and we have loads still to play for.”

Steeton host Marsden in the Premier Division Cup quarter-final on Sat-urday (1.45pm).

Steeton: Rishton, Rhodes, A King, Christian (McNally), Kershaw, Whiteoak, Holden, Barnes, Simpson, Longley, Hanson (Reilly): Subs not used: PJ King, Rooke.