Steeton 2 Route One Rovers 1

In a hugely entertaining game where both sides played some stylish and slick football, Steeton made only one change to the starting XI which beat DRAM 6-0 in the first league match of the season.

Steve Pearson replaced the unavailable Sam Rooke in the number five shirt. Jonah Smith kept his place on the bench but Adam Smith and Azim Faqiri were replaced by Michael Rhodes, Tim Hird and Tom Sowerbutts.

Promoted Esholt-based club Route One Rovers FC came to Summerhill Lane on the back of a 3-1 away victory over Wakefield City.

On a perfect surface Steeton took the lead after ten minutes when defender Alistair Morgan headed home after the visiting goalkeeper had spectacularly parried a goalbound shot.

An equalizer looked on the cards when a fine left wing cross was headed just inches over by Rovers skipper Jonathan Mwembie who had a fine game.

The score came nearest to being doubled after 35 minutes when Ben Clarkson went full stretch to connect with a cross from the right but again Steeton were denied by acrobatic goalkeeping.

Just before the interval it was Steeton goalkeeper Wayne Mahomet who was called upon to deny the visitors yet another opportunity to equalise when he dived to push a superb effort around the post.

The second half began at the same slick tempo as the first as Steeton full backs Joe Mason and Elliott Scott attacked more vigorously down their respective flanks.

Mason (making his 50th first team appearance) in particular put over some good crosses from the right wing.

In midfield Joe Flaherty, skipper Andy Holden, Rory Judd and Joe Park were forced to work much harder than they had done in the last game.

A goal in the 54th minute doubled Steeton's advantage as striker Alex Yates was released down the inside left channel by a deft flick from Clarkson. After controlling the ball neatly he hit a rasping shot across the goalkeeper which nestled in the far corner of the net.

The visitors now surged forward and Steeton introduced three sets of fresh legs to bolster the midfield and defence. After 75 minutes a fine right wing corner swung in by Park was met by Morgan who was unlucky to see his fine header rebound off an upright.

With around 10 minutes to go Rovers deservedly pulled a goal back through Shazad Iqbal and the visitors almost snatched an equaliser in the very last minute when a glancing header went agonisingly wide.

Rovers must be congratulated for the part they played in what was one of the most exciting matches seen at Summerhill Lane for quite some time.

Steeton: Mahomet, Mason, Scott, Morgan, Pearson, Flaherty, Holden (Sowerbutts), Judd (Hird), Clarkson (Rhodes), Yates, Park.