Steeton 2 Honley 3

STEETON suffered a second home defeat of the season at the hands of Huddersfield-based Honley, who were promoted last season.

A last-minute change saw the withdrawal of Tom Sowerbutts, who was taken ill during the warm-up, with Andy Holden and Graham Holmes returning.

After only three minutes the visitors sent a 20-yard free kick just wide and three minutes later a bold attempt to beat home goalkeeper Wayne Mahomet at his near post hit the side-netting so hard that it was pulled out of the turf.

Honley got the opener after nine minutes when their centre forward found himself unchallenged and he found the top corner from long range.

An equaliser came eight minutes later when Lee Reilly scored his 16th of the season, blasting home after a fine run and excellent cross by Olly Hunter.

Hunter – a constant threat down Honley's right flank – was unlucky when his free-kick curled around the wall but struck the upright and rebounded to safety.

On 25 minutes, after great work again by Hunter, the ball was cleared to the edge of the area where it was met by Ben Richardson, who smashed home to make it 2-1.

The lead was almost increased after half an hour but Hunter was denied this time by the bar.

Five minutes before the break the visitors equalised with an unstoppable volley.

Holmes drew the keeper early in the second half but Steeton were again denied by the woodwork. A huge scramble ensued but the Chervons could not breach the defence.

The winning goal came after an hour when a defensive mix-up allowed the visiting number seven to stab home.

This was Honley's last meaningful attack as Steeton went all out for an equaliser and put their opponents under enormous pressure.

Sam Rooke came on for Holden and Callum Wear for Holmes, allowing Michael Rhodes to move forward.

However, despite a frantic finale which saw both Rooke and goalkeeper Mahomet joining the attack, parity could not be achieved.

Team:- Mahomet, Mason, Rhodes, Morgan, Pearson, Hird, Holden (Rooke), Richardson, Reilly, Holmes (Wear), Hunter.

Despite this defeat, Steeton remain fifth in the table. They return to County Cup action on Saturday (2pm) with a home tie against Harlow Hill of the Harrogate and District League.