Steels 2-2 Marske United

Stocksbridge Park Steels became only the second team to get points off Marske United after a 2-2 draw.

The Steels took the lead when Scott Ruthven finished after a free kick was crossed in. Marske replied instantly with an Adam Boyes goal before a penalty from Craig Gott put them ahead. Mangham equalised in the 90th minute through our own penalty.

Early on, Stocksbridge saw plenty of Boyes. The striker was the league and the FA Cup’s leading scorer and he started off by showing why. He managed to get a header off which forced Ed Hall to stretch for it before getting the space for a shot which had to be blocked by Liam McFayden.

At the other end, Josh Nodder was working hard as the only out-and-out winger on the pitch. His free kick caused problems but Ross Goodwin could only hit it wide. Later on, he had a shot of his own which was fairly weak and easily claimed by Ryan Catterick in the Marske goal.

At the other end, Boyes was causing all of the problems. Marske sent most of the ball to him and he tried to make the most of it. His best chance was when he went clear on goal but thanks to some pressure by Rob Ludlum, the shot was able to be saved by Hall. Later on, he tested Hall again after pulling down a long ball before turning and hitting a volley wide from a free kick.

Against the run of play, Stocksbridge got the lead. Nodder had the free kick from the right and he’ll be thankful their attempt at a routine was nixed by the referee who pulled it back. Instead, he whipped the cross in and Scott Ruthven scored his first of the season after finishing at the far post. This would be only be Marske’s fourth conceded goal of the league season.

Unfortunately, Marske fired right back. They played the ball well into the box and it was teed off for Boyes who duly finished and finally got his goal for the day. This sent the game level into half-time.

In the second half, Marske started off with putting a lot of pressure on the Steels defence. They had only dropped points to Liversedge before this game and did not want to drop more in this match. They didn’t create much clear cut, but they did test Hall when James Fairley gathered the ball at a narrow angle and his powerful shot had to be palmed away. Ludlam also made a crucial block to stop what looked like a certain Matthew Tymon goal.

The Steels were forced to work on the break and they did get a great chance to retake the lead. The cross was sent in and Nodder had got onto it on the near post but a fantastic tackle from Andrew May saved the day for Marske. The ball was cleared to Sam Finlaw but Catterick did well to save that shot at the near post.

After a lot of great defending from Stocksbridge, Steel eventually did bend. A shot was blocked with the hand and after both Jordan Lemon and Michael Trench were booked for delay of game, Craig Gott put the ball past an outstretched Hall.

The Steels did press forward to try and get and equaliser. Not long after Ludlam had headed wide, they got their chance. Marske themselves handballed in the box, and the penalty was given. Mangham stepped up and sent Catterick the wrong way, equalising and grabbing a massive point for the Steels.

MOTM: Scott Ruthven