Wakefield 0 Steeton 3

STEETON came away from a tricky game with the three points in West Riding County Amateur Premier Division.

Matty Wilson and Joe Park returned to the side with Michael Rhodes and Steve Pearson unavailable.

The visitors got off to a great start when the home keeper fumbled a cross and leading scorer, Andy Briggs was on hand to tap the ball home once he could get it under control on the bobbly surface.

Ben Clarkson then went close after Briggs played him in but his shot struck the side netting.

Ben Richardson swung in a corner that hit the crossbar with the keeper beaten and in the move that followed Jonah Smith couldn’t get enough power on his strike to trouble the keeper.

Clarkson then went close as Andy Holden swung in a great free-kick but he just got underneath the ball and headed over the bar.

The home side rarely threatened and the back three of Park, Wilson and Elliot Scott were rarely troubled.

The closest the home side went was when Wilson was adjudged to have fouled his man on the edge of the box and from the resulting free-kick Wakefield hit the crossbar, the ball bouncing back to safety, much to the relief of the Steeton backline.

As the weather got hotter it was the fitness levels of Steeton that showed through and they started to take control of the game with Tim Hird, Holden and Smith starring in midfield. Toby Jeffrey was now getting a bit more space on the right-hand side and his cross was headed just over by the on-rushing Smith.

Steeton’s second goal was looking more and more likely as the game progressed and it was Richardson who grabbed it, keeping his cool as a loose ball bounced in the box. He stabbed it home to double the lead for Steeton and ensure that there was a bit of breathing space for them in the last 30 minutes.

Alistair Morgan then replaced Wilson who was tiring and Josh Eastwood replaced Jeffrey as fresh legs in the heat were just what was required on an energy-sapping day.

Steeton then struck their third when Hird played a great ball over the top for Clarkson to latch onto and he finished from close range, rifling the ball into the bottom corner to seal the victory.

Under 18 starlet, Jordan Daniel was given the last 15 minutes and the youngster was involved in some neat exchanges and went close with an effort that was just blocked.

Steeton keeper Joe Mash had a quiet afternoon, but he did well to block a shot with his feet as the home side looked to gain a late consolation.

But it was too little too late as Steeton held out for a comfortable win.

Manager Roy Mason was pleased with the win.

He said: "End of season games can be a leveller, the pitch didn’t allow us to play the kind of football that we know we can.

"But we nevertheless tried to play the ball on the floor and we were patient in waiting for our chances to come and we were good value for the win and it was nice to keep a clean sheet in the process."

Steeton: Mash, Park, Scott, Hird, Wilson (Morgan), Jeffrey (Eastwood), Holden, J Smith, Clarkson, Briggs (Daniel), Richardson Sub not used: Rooke