STEETON slumped to defeat in their North West Counties Football League First Division One North opener, going down 3-0 at Nelson on Tuesday night.

Nelson were the Chevrons' last league opponents back in December 2020, with Roy Mason's side romping to victory at Marley on that occasion.

But the tables were turned here, despite Steeton welcoming five new signings into the ranks in midfielders Toby Rawcliffe and Mitch Fox, goalkeepers Jordan Harding and George Bristol, and full-back Callan Parker-Wells.

Nelson opened the scoring in just the ninth minute through Dylan Meredith, before Luke Baldwin and Rawcliffe both hit shots just off target for Steeton.

Those misses proved costly when Meredith grabbed his second after half an hour.

A superb save from Bristol stopped Nelson grabbing a third just after the break, but a defensive error in the 74th minute was taken advantage of by Brian Mabhena, who finished Steeton off once and for all.