Ovenden 5 Steeton 0

Steeton boss Roy Mason admitted he was baffled by this heavy defeat after side put in a great display against the reigning champions.

The Chevrons pushed their hosts all the way but paid for missed chances as late disputed goals gave the scoreline a lop-sided look.

In only their second game this year, the trip looked even more daunting on paper as they were missing regulars Michael Rhodes, Sam Rooke, Ryan Cox and Joe Park.

Jack Richmond, Josh Huntley, Joe Mason and Aaron Hollindrake all came in to make their debuts in a much-changed line-up that also saw Graham Holmes move to the unfamiliar position of centre half, while leading scorer Lee Reilly was not feeling 100 per cent and therefore named on the bench.

After a tight first half, Steeton started the second period strongly. Hollindrake weaved his way into the box with some great close control. It looked as if a goal was certain but the home keeper stuck out a right hand and somehow clawed the ball away for a corner.

Ovenden took the lead when John Booth reacted quickest to a loose ball from a free-kick and stabbed home.

Play became stretched on the heavy pitch as both teams created chances. Mason, who was enjoying a fine debut, did well to block a goal-bound effort on the line and, minutes later, the young full back headed off the line.

Then Steeton should not only have levelled but gone in front. First Huntley fired over with a volley from the edge of the six-yard box when he should have probably hit the target and, minutes later, Holden found him at the near post but he screwed the ball wide.

Mark McGee found Hollindrake, who did well to round the keeper but hesitated and the covering defender cleared off the line.

Ovenden made the Chevrons pay by doubling their lead in similar circumstances to their first goal as Steve Senior stabbed in.

With 15 minutes to go, Steeton were still in the game but two quick goals in controversial circumstances killed the game. From long balls over the top, Ovenden players looked suspiciously offside but the referee waved away protests as Jay Carney and Andrew Bailey put the game out of Steeton’s sight.

A fifth goal in stoppage time from Stephen Fullard really rubbed salt into the visitors' wounds.

Mason said: "It was one of the strangest games I can remember. Never in all my time as a manager has a team of mine played so well and put so much effort in and been on the end of a scoreline like that.

"Every player gave everything and had we taken our chances then I am convinced we would have won the game. However, we didn't and we paid the price.

"The two 'offside' goals also gave a massive slant to the scoreline."

The Chevrons chief was also delighted with the performances of his new acquisitions. He said: "Josh Huntley gave us the pace we have been lacking, Aaron Hollindrake showed some great touches, Jack Richmond equipped himself well and Joe Mason put in a performance above his years.

"Both myself and Rob Horton took some massive positives from the game and we will look to take those into this week's fixture."

Steeton: Brooksbank, J Mason, McNulty (Metcalfe), Barnes, Holmes, Richmond, Hird, Huntley (Reilly), Hollindrake, McGee.