Steeton 1 Golcar United 2

STEETON centre back Sam Rooke made his 100th County Amateur League Premier Division appearance but was on the losing side as leaders Golcar claimed a deserved win.

Goalkeeper Paul Linyard made his first appearance for the first team since last April, coming in for the absent Josh Brooksbank in the one change to the team that had beat Halifax Irish the previous week. Linyard has returned from retirement, having played for the reserves throughout February.

The Chevrons almost took the lead in the 13th minute when Arley Barnes hooked away a through ball after a good surge forward by Golcar’s left back. The clearance found Lee Reilly, whose mazy run took him past three defenders and his shot was parried by the keeper and then cleared just before Andy Holden was able to tap the ball in.

Steeton were then almost caught on the counter-attack, when Golcar’s John McAliskey broke away following a Steeton corner. Joe Park’s slip as he attempted to make a tackle left only Michael Rhodes chasing the pacy No 11, but Linyard’s good positioning and Rhodes’ arrival were enough to force the shot wide.

Golcar’s No 4 became the first player to be booked by referee Ray Torczuk in the 20th minute for a late challenge on Tim Hird. The referee, who throughout the game was subject to criticism, did well to keep calm when he could have justifiably booked a number on both sides for dissent.

Steeton had Rhodes to thank again for a good clearance after an awkward bounce had seen Jack Richmond kick the air.

But the visitors finally took the lead just before half-time, when Steeton’s defence failed to deal with a long goal kick and former Huddersfield Town striker McAliskey seized the loose ball and drove a powerful shot to leave Linyard with no chance.

Golcar doubled their advantage ten minutes into the second half when Callum Meade released a low, driven shot that Steeton’s keeper was unable to keep out.

With half an hour to play, Steeton made a double substitution, with new signing Toby Rawcliffe, making his second appearance from the bench, and Ryan Cox replacing Mark McGee and Jack Richmond. The switch seemed to affect Steeton’s formation, with players being dragged out of position and too many balls going unchallenged.

With 20 minutes left, Park’s header under pressure was fortunately held by Linyard when an own goal looked a real possibility.

Andy Holden then made a good run forward and skilfully took the ball past three defenders but the move came to nothing.

In the final minute of normal time, Park almost grabbed a goal but his shot went narrowly over the bar. Soon after, Steeton did grab a consolation, when Arley Barnes’ fine strike from the edge of the box left Golcar ‘keeper Ash Connor rooted to the spot – but what was to be the final action of note.

Assistant manager Rob Horton couldn't fault the effort of the players. He said: "We made a couple of individual errors and got punished, but we matched them throughout the game and there wasn't a lot between the two sides."

Steeton are at home again on Saturday when they face bottom-placed Tyersal (2.30pm).

Steeton: Linyard, Rhodes, Park, Barnes, Rooke, Richmond (Rawcliffe), Holden, Hird, Reilly, Holmes (Harding), McGee (Cox).