STEETON cannot seem to escape an extraordinary goalkeeping curse this season, not ideal when they only sit four points clear of the NWCFL First Division North relegation zone.

Their emergency stoppers are finding all sorts of ways to get injured, with old favourite Fletcher Paley the latest to hobble off in a 1-1 draw with Daisy Hill last Saturday.

It means a new face will be needed between the sticks for the clash with fellow strugglers, and derby rivals, Ilkley Town this weekend.

Steeton boss Roy Mason said: "I've never known anything like it in my entire career.

"We've been unfortunate since it first started in pre-season, when we lost Stuart Cross with a fractured eye socket.

"Jordan Moorhouse, Oli Brackenbury and then Crossy again all got injured while training away from the club, so there was nothing we could have done.

"George Bristol did well for us, but then he was recalled by his parent club Clitheroe, and when Tom Simpson fractured his finger in the defeat to Holker the other week, bringing Fletcher back to the club was a no-brainer.

"But then he goes and tears a muscle in his quad late on against Daisy Hill, and that's going to put him out for about four weeks."

Even though they missed a number of good chances to finish their opponents off last Saturday, things are looking much healthier at the other end of the pitch.

Andy Briggs, who scored against Daisy Hill, and strike partner Kayle Price have hit over 40 goals between them this season, and they are backed up by the likes of Cain Tailford and new recruit Kian Ellis.

Teenager Ellis used to be part of Bradford City's Football Development Programme, like fellow Steeton first-teamer Jack Lynn.

Mason said: "One of the things we look to is youth, as we've always felt that, as long as they're good enough, they're old enough, even if their consistency will have to come over time.

"You've got to give young lads an opportunity at this level, and Jack Lynn is maybe the best example of that.

"We were worried he might be a bit lightweight for North West Counties football, but he's improved week by week.

"It was Colne's idea to give us Kian on dual-registration, as they knew he'd get opportunities here to be in and around the squad, even though he's only 17."

Mason conceded his side are liable to be relegated down into the grassroots West Yorkshire League if their poor form continues.

But with it being seemingly unlikely that enough teams will come up from Step 7 to replace them, and a theoretically easier run of games on the horizon, Steeton are looking up, not down.

But Mason warned: "A couple of wins and we could go right up the league, but we know we haven't been consistent enough, and while we can compete with the very best in this league, we're also capable of losing to anyone.

"Even towards the bottom though, you've got Atherton in the relegation zone and Hope Akpan having just signed for them, when he was only at Bradford City two years ago.

"Daisy Hill are down there, but with their budget they should be a lot higher, and then our opponents this weekend, Ilkley, I'm surprised at where they are.

"They play some of the best football in our division and I was chatting to the manager of (leaders) Bury AFC, Andy Welsh, the other week and he said Ilkley were one of the toughest teams they'd played.

"One of the advantages for them is that they play good football on their plastic pitch, but then that can mean they struggle away from home on heavier pitches.

"We don't have that advantage over them, as our pitch is artificial too, and with it being a local derby too, it all adds up to being a very tough game."

Away from Steeton's struggles on the field, and Mason can feel very proud after being nominated for Coach of the Year and the Special Recognition award at the upcoming Bradford Sports Awards next month.

Steeton's long-serving manager said: "I'm grateful for the support, and it's a nice thing to be nominated for, as it shows people appreciate how much work goes into the job.

"But that's what the whole club is built on, what gets done behind the scenes, so I see these two nominations as recognition for everyone here.

"I'm very proud to be honoured and to have made it to 500 games in charge of the club earlier this season.

"I never thought I'd do that, though I think I'll be handing over the reins to someone younger before I do another 500.

"But that's what grassroots football is all about, people giving their time and effort to a club.

"Some people retire from playing then don't put anything back into the game, but if they change their minds, they soon realise what they've been missing out on."