Hunsworth 1 Steeton 4

STEETON continued their recent run of good form with a convincing win over basement side Hunsworth.

With players missing again, the Chevrons were forced to shuffle the pack again. Stephen Pearson came into the side for his debut and Joe Mason slotted in at right back, with Aaron Abbas handed a starting place.

Steeton, who were playing 4-3-2-1, were on top from the start as Abbas was pushed in the back inside the box in the first five minutes. Up stepped leading scorer Lee Reilly to take the penalty but his kick was saved.

Andy King was narrowly wide with a low shot, while at the other end Sam Moore did well to tip a shot over following a long-range effort as Hunsworth, who were fielding three new signings, looked a much-improved outfit from their recent League Cup encounter.

Steeton finally made the break through on the half-hour mark. Holden’s corner was headed out to him and he whipped in the ball first time. Pearson rose highest and headed the ball firmly past the flat-footed keeper.

The second half saw Steeton revert to a more traditional formation of 4-4-2 and look to use the width well and this paid dividends almost immediately, with Mason and Holden combining well on the right. Holden's cross found King at the back post and he flicked it on for Abbas to head home from close range. Within a few minutes the lead was increased, skipper Tim Hird reacting quickest in the box to curl the ball home.

Steeton made a double change, with Lee Thompson and Jack Richmond replacing Joe Park and Holden and the pair combined well for Steeton’s fourth goal. Richmond beat his man and whipped in a great cross that Thompson powered past the keeper with his head.

Declan Consoli did well down the left before crossing for Reilly, who saw his header superbly saved by the keeper. At the other end, Joe Meegan did well to make a last-ditch challenge as the home side looked for some consolation. That duly arrived in the last minute and a long ball over the top found Ash Thompson, who did well to fire over Moore from an acute angle.

Boss Roy Mason said: "It was a decent three points for us and it allowed us to utilise the squad.

"It was a great debut from Stephen Pearson, who joined us during the week. The side contained a number of teenagers and these lads are improving all the time and gaining vital experience at this level."

Steeton went sixth in the table, with games in hand on those teams above them, ahead of Saturday's home clash with Lower Hopton (2.30pm).

Steeton: Moore, J Mason, Park (Thompson), Meegan, Pearson, Hird, Holden (Richmond), Consoli, Reilly, Abbas, King. Subs not used: Rooke, R Mason.