Steeton Reserves punished by clinical Campion

Steeton Reserves overcame adverse weather conditions to play their game against Campion Reserves on Saturday but were undone by a more clinical Campion outfit.

The match was moved to the Zara Sports Centre’s 3G pitch in Bradford after recent poor weather had seen fixtures cancelled.

Steeton started brightly with Harry McGowan a threat on the right hand side and Mark McGee, making his return from injury, on the left. Steeton went close a few times in an even first period. Aaron Abbas sent an effort narrowly wide after turning well in the box and Andy Howland struck the foot of the post.

At the other end Duncan Steele was impressing on his debut, following a recent move from Cross Hills. Meanwhile, Ross Chapman was winning the battle in midfield and Steeton looked the more dangerous side. Kyle Fox saw his header from a Morgan Whiteoak corner sail just wide of the post as the teams went into the break on level terms.

Steeton took the lead early in the second half when McGowan whipped a corner underneath the crossbar and Steve Pearson was on hand to head home from close range. Abbas then nearly doubled the lead instantly as he rounded the goalkeeper but spurned a glorious opportunity as the ball was cleared off the line.

Campion got back on terms as Fox found the ball caught under his feet in the area and Chris Hellewell pounced to level. Steeton made aggressive changes in a bid to win the game with the introduction of Casey Dowthwaite.

They nearly regained the lead as Ben Sutcliffe played in Andy Howland, who controlled brilliantly but fired wide after his second touch let him down. Steeton had strong claims for a penalty turned down on two occasions, with McGee appearing to be pushed from behind before a Dowthwaite shot struck an arm in the box.

The hosts struck with only six minutes remaining as Graeme Sides calmly lobbed Steeton keeper Josh Brooksbank, who had hardly had a save to make for much of the game. Steeton threw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser, but were hit with a sucker punch in injury time as Campion broke and slotted in a third through Aaron Metcalfe to secure the points.

The loss leaves Steeton languishing third from bottom on only six points.

Steeton: Brooksbank, Steele (Bridge), Sutcliffe, Pearson, Fox, Whiteoak (Morgan), McGowan, Chapman, Abbas (Dowthwaite), Howland, McGee