West Riding County FA Challenge Cup first round: Altofts 2 Steeton 3

STEETON progressed to the second round despite not being at their best at West Yorkshire League side Altofts.

With Jonson Butterfield and Lee Thompson missing, Tom Sowerbutts was restored back to the Chevrons side following injury and Joe Mason came in at left back.

Steeton had the first opportunity as Olly Hunter beat his man and crossed for Lee Reilly, whose effort was saved by the keeper.

They took the lead after 18 minutes when a foul on the edge of the box resulted in a free-kick that was whipped in by Hunter and Andy Holden headed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

The goal settled Steeton down, Sowerbutts looking a threat when he got forward and Reilly’s movement troubling the defence.

They doubled their lead when Mason found Ben Richardson and he threaded the ball through to Reilly, who drew the keeper before slotting home.

This should have been the signal for the visitors to take control but they switched off and paid the price as defensive hesitancy allowed Nathan Jarvis to fire in from the edge of the box to reduce the arrears.

The second half was a drab affair but Tim Hird was doing his best to drive Steeton forward. Alistair Morgan did well with a last-ditch challenge as Steeton had committed men forward and left themselves short at the back. Kyle Fox and Michael Rhodes had to be alert to keep Steeton’s advantage intact.

A change of formation to 4-4-2, with Ben Clarkson replacing Andy Holden, paid dividends as Rhodes played Sowerbutts in. He pulled the ball back and Clarkson was on hand to fire home from the edge of the box to seal the game for Steeton, or so they thought.

From the kick-off the home side went on the attack and were awarded a free-kick. A loose ball broke to Connor Burton and he fired past Wayne Mahomet but Altofts had run out of time.

The reward for Steeton is a home tie with Harrogate side Harlow Hill, who beat Wilsden last Saturday.

Steeton boss Roy Mason said: "It was not a vintage performance but it was a win and we are through. We didn't press the opposition as we would have liked, but credit to Altofts who made it a difficult game for us."

The Chevrons are back in league action on Saturday when they host Lower Hopton (2.30pm).

Steeton: Mahomet, Rhodes, Mason, Morgan, K Fox, Hird, Holden (Clarkson), Sowerbutts, Reilly, Richardson, Hunter (Consoli).