STEETON'S Macron Cup campaign ended with a 4-1 home defeat by Nelson at the first hurdle on Saturday, writes Josh Chapman.
The fixture was described as a “free hit” by manager Roy Mason against a team sitting second in the division above.
However, Steeton believed the scoreline did not reflect the match, and the manager took positives ahead of next weekend’s league visit to newly promoted AFC Knowsley.
Steeton started the game brightly, playing good football and taking the game to their higher-league opponents.
They survived an early scare when a free header from Nelson rattled the crossbar.
The hosts were then unlucky not to break the deadlock. From a quick corner, Joe Edmonds was denied by a last-ditch tackle inside the box.
Steeton kept the pressure on and Macca Smith drew a diving save from Nelson goalkeeper Chris Thompson, who then scrambled to deny Kevin Gonzalez.
Nelson broke through near the end of the half after Steeton conceded a free-kick on the edge of their area. Andrew Hill’s delivery was turned in at the far post by Sefton Gonzalez, who beat Nathan Storton to the ball.
The opening goal gave Nelson momentum, and they doubled their lead just before half-time.
Brad Emmerson saved from George Hutchinson, but Nelson counter-attacked.
Jamie Edwards beat Steeton’s offside trap, went through one-on-one and placed the ball into the bottom corner.
After a slow start to the second half, Steeton found a route back into the game. Smith’s corner was flicked on by Arley Barnes and struck the hand of a Nelson defender.
The referee awarded a penalty after the ball hit the defender’s hand during a melee inside the six-yard box. Nelson’s protests caused a brief delay, but Kevin Gonzalez stayed calm and sent Thompson the wrong way.
The goal was his third of the season and halved the deficit. Steeton then pushed for an equaliser, but Edmonds sent a half-volley inches over the crossbar.
Nelson regained control late in the half and scored twice. Jared Gilbey received a long ball over the top and sent a delivery across goal. Luke Hepple slid in to score beneath Emmerson.
With five minutes left, James Kemp played Hepple through on goal, and the forward scored again.
Steeton had chances in injury time, but Thompson made routine saves from Emerson Mitchell and Haroon Salah.
The result sends Nelson through in the Macron Cup, while Steeton return to league action at AFC Knowsley next weekend.
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