Keighley Shamrocks 3 Steeton AFC 4 - Steeton got back to winning ways with an improved performance in their Keighley Cup tie against local rivals Shammies, in what was a curious match with a number of twists and turns. Manager Paul Ettenfield demanded a performance from his side and made positional changes, coming up trumps with the versatile Lee Barker moving from left back to a strikers' role, scoring two goals and earning the 'man of the match' tag.

Steeton dominated the first half with Jody Proctor shoring up the back four and Rob Hansen impressing in a new left back berth. Shammies did have the odd break, usually the bustling Hardaker causing the threat, with Joe Brady tightly shackled. But Steeton drew first blood, when a free kick out on the left was lofted in, Hanson rose to head into the danger area and Lee Barker was on hand to head home the opener. Adam Smith and Mostyn Hockey battled fiercely in midfield as the homesters tried to unsettle the Steeton rhythm, with ex-Shammies player Hockey being the target for some strong-arm treatment. Steeton used the space well though, with the excellent Steve Barker working hard down the left hand side, creating space and openings, and brother Lee foraging hard with strike partner Stewart Airdrie looking to punish the Shammies defence.

The second half continued in that vein and Steeton nearly added a second in a bizarre scramble from Airdrie's corner kick, as the ball struck the foot of the post and came back out. The struggling Hockey limped off injured and within minutes, and against the run of play, the ball broke free to the unmarked Bobby Brown who carried the ball into the box and coolly slotted home an angled shot to equalise. Spaces started to open up and as Steeton started to build play down the right, the ball was lost, a though pass bobbled under a defender's foot and Steve Hardaker seized the ball, curling his early strike into the corner from outside the box. Steeton battled manfully though and showed character that had been absent in previous weeks, finding themselves on level terms when Lee Barker notched his second, heading home Airdrie's inch perfect corner kick. Within minutes the referee penalised a Shammies tackle on half way, and a quickly taken free kick resulted in neat interplay down the left, Airdrie's low cross being met by Adam Smith to make it 3 -2 with the clock running down. Shammies battled hard to get back on terms and after being awarded a free kick for a foul, retaliation ensued and a melee of players got involved resulting in the dismissal of two Shammies players and one from Steeton.

With only minutes remaining Steeton gave away a needless free kick out wide on the edge of the box. The resulting kick was floated in and although Brady's powerful header was beaten out by 'keeper Knappy, the ball was stabbed home for the equaliser from close range.

With just two minutes to go though, Steeton broke brave Shammies hearts, when Steve Barker's good work down the left and his resulting cross got stuck in the mud in the six-yard box, but Adam Smith popped up again to bundle the ball home for the winner, easing the Summerhill Lane outfit into the semi's.

This week they face a trip to Dudley Hill in the league cup .

Steeton Res 1

Storthes Hall Res 1

Steeton Reserves were always up against it with five regulars missing through injuries or first team call ups against a strong Storthes Hall side.

The Summerhill Lane side started brightly and didn't give the visitors an inch with Dave McManus and Chris Fothergill linking up on the left hand side they started to create chances, the first falling to Chris Turner who fired just wide of the far post. Steeton took the lead in unusual circumstances when young striker Joe Knome harassed the defence after goalkeeper, Nathan Barratts long punt put the visiting defence under pressure, Knome's persistence left confusion at the back and Barratts kick found it's way into the net. Indeed it was the second time this season that a Steeton goalkeeper has scored this season. Stuart Hudson achieving the same result earlier on in the campaign.

With half time approaching Steeton lost their concentration and failed to close down a loose ball and Storthes equalised.

The second half saw the home side penned inside their own half and limited to long range efforts. Storthes Hall then took command of the game and capitalised on defensive errors to run out winners by four goals to one.

On the positive side Ian Wellock did well on his debut and Gareth Atkinson got 90 minutes under his belt on his return from injury.

With a tough trip to Wibsey on Saturday in the league cup, manager Roy Mason is hoping that the injuries will clear up and enable him to field a full strength side.

DIVISION ONE

P W D L F A Pts

Hall Green Utd 17 13 1 3 43 20 40

Lower Hopton 17 10 4 3 53 22 34

Kirkburton 17 9 4 4 47 25 31

Steeton 15 10 1 4 42 28 31

Farnley 18 9 3 6 37 32 30

Littletown 18 7 5 6 31 23 26

South Bradford 16 7 1 8 35 34 22

Wakefield City 14 6 3 5 28 21 21

Altofts 15 5 4 6 33 42 19

Westwood 15 4 3 8 20 32 15

Marsden 16 4 3 9 24 46 15

Kly Shamrocks 15 3 2 10 23 43 11

Dudley Hill Rgrs 11 2 2 7 10 27 8

Salts 18 2 2 14 19 54 8