West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division: DRAM Community 2 Steeton 4

STEETON got back to winning ways in a game that was won by half-time.

Following the previous week’s disappointing performance at Golcar, manager Roy Mason rang the changes with Jonah Smith coming into the midfield for his full debut, while Joe Park returned on the left hand side and teenagers Andy Briggs and Ben Clarkson started up front together.

Steeton started off in a really positive manner with Andy Holden and Joe Mason combining well on the right. Crosses coming in from that side were a prominent feature of the first half.

Elliot Scott and Park worked well on the left and Steeton had more balance as a result.

Briggs’ day was cut short when he had to leave the pitch with a groin injury to be replaced by Alex Yates.

But Steeton took the lead when Clarkson was felled in the box and Holden confidently dispatched the resulting penalty.

Clarkson was on hand to stab home a second as the keeper couldn’t hold onto Holden’s inswinging corner. The lead was soon increased as Park stole in at the far post to claim Steeton’s third and Clarkson grabbed a fourth as the visitors threatened to run riot, Smith and Tim Hird also firing shots over.

The second half was a totally different affair and Wayne Mahomet had to be alert on a couple of occasions. He made a great save in a one-on-one and another one as he pushed a free-kick around the post.

Sam Rooke was narrowly wide with a header from a corner and Park couldn’t find the target with the follow-up.

At the other end Steve Pearson did well to break down a counter-attack as the home side looked for a way back in the game. That duly arrived when a breakaway found James Whyte unmarked and he made no mistake.

The home side further reduced the arrears when Leigh Miller grabbed a second.

Steeton introduced Joe Flaherty and Rory Judd to see the game out and their break-up play ensured there was no further danger for as they held out for a deserved win.

Mason said: "It was a great first half performance from us and one that effectively won us the game.

"We took our foot off the gas in the second half and let them back in with a couple of sloppy goals, but there were more positives than negatives.

"We are gradually bringing in younger players to the side who are giving us a bit more energy in the final third."

Steeton are at home to Britannia Sports on Saturday (2.30pm).

Steeton: Mahomet, Mason (Judd), Scott, Pearson, Rooke, Hird, Holden, J Smith (Flaherty), Clarkson, Briggs (Yates), Park.

*Steeton Reserves won 4-3 in the first round of the First Division League Cup at Unita FC. The goals came from Will Knight, Toby Jeffery, Grieg Hudson and Andy Howland.