Bacup Borough 5

Steeton 1

STEETON suffered only their second defeat of the season in Hallmark Security League Division One North, with a thrashing at the hands of Bacup Borough.

Matt Dell's brace, Anthony Hall, Adrian Bellamy and Mike Gervin struck to give the hosts an emphatic win, Andy Lee scoring Steeton's sole strike.

Less than a minute into the contest, Bacup's Josh Walne picked the ball up on the right-hand side, looked up and curled one into the danger area. Matt Dell beat two Steeton heads in the air and headed over Alfie Stevens-Neale to put his side 1-0 up.

Steeton immediately looked to get back on level terms. A throw-in from the hosts was wasted, the Chevrons came forward on the counter but the effort from Jordan Wilmore - returning to his former club - sailed way over.

Wilmore, playing on the right-hand side, had another effort for the visitors. This time, Lee's corner made its way to Wilmore who set himself before unleashing a magnificent curling effort which only found the upright.

The visitors' equaliser came only a minute later. The goalkeeper was caught careless on the ball. Lee dispossessed him and tucked the ball into the empty net, taking the acclaim for his fourth goal of the season in only three appearances.

Unfortunately the repreive lasted only a minute, Morgan was teased by Anthony Hall and brought him down for a penalty, he managed to pick himself up and confidently dispatched his spot-kick past Stevens Neale.

Two soon became three, Hall was fouled by Lee and whipped in a ball which was headed in by home skipper Adrian Bellamy.

Steeton's attempt to get back in the game was thwarted. Scott put a teasing ball across the box and, although it was unclear who got the final touch, what was not unclear was the fact the goalkeeper made a magnificent stop to make amends and keep his side two goals up.

The hosts wanted a fourth before half-time and, but for Stevens-Neale, they would have had it. Dell's clever touch beat Freddie Maddocks, and between himself and Stevens-Neale they managed to do enough to put him off as the young stopper held a firm effort.

Half-time came and Steeton boss Roy Mason changed the shape of the team and introduced the returning Toby Jeffrey on the right-hand side of midfield, withdrawing Alistair Morgan.

Steeton started the second-half in the same fashion as the first. Bacup piled forward and within a few minutes of the referee's whistle they had Steeton kicking off again.

The game was largely uneventful during the second-half. Wilmore and midfield partner Tim Hird attempting to cover the defence as Steeton tried to gain territorial advantage to avoid only a second defeat of the season.

Ben Richardson and Gary Driscoll were introduced in an attempt to reduce the arrears.

Driscoll himself tried to make things happen, a smart turn sold the full-back and his ball into the box was tempting, but the ball rolled across the box and out for a throw.

Despite Steeton efforts, the hosts made it five. The ball came to Bacup number seven, Mike Gervin who took a touch out of his feet, saw Stevens-Neale off his line and took aim, lobbing the loanee from all of 50 yards to wrap up the game in style.

The hosts still found time to hit the woodwork on two more occasions. First Hall, and then another effort which resulted in Stevens-Neale being required.

Steeton's final chance came sandwiched between these two efforts. Richardson's ball was met by Aaron Hollindrake but he failed to get a proper connection on the ball as it landed in the keeper's hands.