Salts 4 Steeton 2 - Steeton's promotion hopes were delivered a massive blow when they were defeated by a spirited young Salts side, who are rooted to the bottom of the table having previously only won one game all season!
The other worrying aspect to the defeat was the continued failings from the previous weeks' County Cup defeat, in terms of marking, passing and general organisation.
The warning signs were there early on when a sliced clearance fell to the Salts striker with the goal gaping, 'keeper Kev Knappy bravely blocking his shot. And again, later foiling a free strike as the home striker broke free of his markers. Steeton did create chances in the first period but either the final ball wasn't good enough of the finishing was woeful.
Their best chance of the half came after good play down the left hand side involving Lee Barker and Ricardo Falconi, whose neat pass inside was collected by the lively Jamie Longley, whose shot fired low into the far corner was tipped wide. Salts drew first blood though, when once again a striker broke free of any markers rounded Knappy and fired home.
The second half needed improvement but instead saw a slump in performances all round the team, and went two goals down when once again the striker broke free unmarked and slotted home. With Steeton pushing forward trying to salvage something from the game, goals three and four were scored in a similar vein, where the home strikers broke through the middle and each fired past the helpless Knappy from just inside the box.
Steeton did salvage something in the last 10 minutes when Falconi scored from close range in a scramble and then Longley registered, latching onto Stewart Airdrie's ball in from the right hand side to also score from close range, but it was too little too late.
This week they face Keighley Shamrocks in the Keighley Cup at Marley and manager Paul Ettenfield will be hoping for a much improved performance against their local rivals.
n Keighley Shamrocks went down 2-1 away to Marsden.
Shammies held a 1-0 lead at the break thanks to an Adam Hook strike, but in the second half Marsden hit back with goals from Jackie Walker and Scott Broadley.
n Keighley Lifts played out a 3-3 draw with Ventus/Yeadon. Danny Bradley scored twice and Mark Webster added the third after they fought their way back from 2-1 down at half time.
n Keighley Shamrocks Reserves went down 3-1 to hall Green United after having the advantage at half time.
Mathew Dykes scored their first half goal, but Hall Green hit back with second half goals from Neil Thackeray, Sean Jesson and Stuart Smailes.
n Steeton Reserves were without a league fixture but put their Saturday to good use with a tough friendly against Silsden at Summerhill Lane.
The game gave the respective sides the opportunity to look at some younger players and also give both sides a workout. For the record Silsden ran out 8-4 winners, with James Gill (2), Damion Whiteoak (2), Andy Geary (2), Andy Holden and James Nettleton on the scoresheet for Silsden. Steeton's goals game from Anthony Foulger, Joe Knome, Jimmy Hansen and Dave Cook.
This week they entertain Storthes Hall at Summerhill Lane K.O 2.00pm
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article