Steeton 3

Prestwich Heys 1

STEETON’S home game at Cougar Park did escape the excessive wet weather so the Chevrons were able to host Prestwich Heys in North West Counties League Division One North.

However, it was no blessing as the non-league newcomers from Lancashire ended Steeton’s four-game unbeaten run.

Heys were 3-1 winners and they were set on their way by an 18th-minute penalty that former Silsden player Zack Dale confidently fired down the middle as home goalkeeper Danny Thorpe dived.

Prestwich doubled their lead just before the hour mark when Joe Rothwell burst through and rounded Thorpe before slotting the ball into the unguarded net.

The Chevrons pulled a goal back as Luke Baldwin curled in a free-kick from the edge of the area but Dale matched that as he bagged a brace from a free-kick two minutes from time.

Steeton manager Roy Mason was also booked during the latter stages of the contest.

Both sides ended with 10 men following a flare up just into stoppage time. Ben Clarkson was the Steeton man to be dismissed.

Steeton's defeat sees them rooted to the bottom of the table on 16 points from 20 games, three points behind second-from-bottom Garstang, who have three games in hand on the Chevrons.

Steeton will be hoping for better luck when they travel to Little Wembley today (Boxing Day) to face Nelson. This will be followed by what could be a crunch survival clash against Garstang at Cougar Park on Saturday, December 28.

Other results: Saturday, December 21: North West Counties League Division One North: AFC Blackpool 2 Ashton Town 0; AFC Liverpool 4 Chadderton 1; Bacup Borough 3 Daisy Hill 3; Cleator Moor Celtic 1 AFC Darwen 3; Garstang 2 Lower Breck 0;

Golcar United P Pilkington P - Postponed due to waterlogged pitch; Nelson P Emley AFC P - Postponed due to waterlogged pitch; Shelley P Holker Old Boys P - Postponed due to Holker unable to fulfil fixture; St Helens Town 2 Atherton LR 2

Steeton 1 Prestwich Heys 3.