West Riding County Amateur League

Premier Division Cup

Steeton 2 Ovenden West Riding 5

Steeton fell at the first hurdle in this season's cup as they lost to a strong Ovenden side.

With Matty Kershaw unavailable, Danny Driver returned to the starting XI, while Joe Park took over from Josh Ferguson to partner Sam Rooke at centre back. Jamie Longley returned to the first team, after playing for the reserves last week, in a move that saw Ryan Cox drop to the bench.

The first real chance fell to Ovenden and only a last-ditch tackle by Park prevented a one-on-one with Steeton keeper Josh Brooksbank. Strong tackles by Park, Sam Rooke and Tim Hird, as well as two good blocks by Mark McGee, kept the visitors out until just before the half-hour mark. But Glynn Beale's volley from a free-kick deflected off Park, giving Brooksbank no chance.

Good goalkeeping by Brooksbank prevented Ovenden doubling their lead before half-time.

Steeton came close after the break through Andy Holden, but his shot sailed over the bar. They fought hard to get back into the game but striker Longley's lack of match fitness began to show.

Ovenden doubled their lead when a poor Steeton pass was picked up by the Ovenden right midfielder and his cross was converted by Beale for his second.

Three good saves from Brooksbank prevented Steeton falling further behind. Longley was replaced by Danny McNulty with 15 minutes remaining. The substitution allowed McGee to press further forward and he came close to scoring almost immediately.

The final eight minutes of the game saw an amazing five goals. Ovenden went 3-0 up after a long through ball caught the Steeton defence flat-footed.

Two minutes later, Andy King lobbed the ball goalwards and the visitors' keeper dropped the ball into his net as he back-pedalled. But hopes of another late comeback were soon dashed when Ovenden scored a fourth with a measured chip.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Holden's looping shot from a free-kick deceived team-mates and opponents alike, with the ball sailing into the top corner and becoming wedged in the stanchion before Ovenden added a late fifth.

Chevrons boss Roy Mason said: "I thought we did well for the first 70 minutes, but the last 20 minutes we lost our concentration and we paid the price.

"That said, everything that could have gone against us did, with both Ryan Cox and Danny McNulty arriving late and having to be named on the bench, with Jamie Longley pushed into his first start of the season, despite awaiting a knee operation."

Steeton: Brooksbank, Driver, McGee, Park, Rooke, Whiteoak (Speed), Holden, King, Longley (McNulty), Metcalfe (Cox).