Clipstone 0-1 Steels

Stocksbridge Park Steels were forced to fight to hold onto a 1-0 win against Clipstone.

For a long time, the game continued in a pre-season pace though Stocksbridge were able to control possession. The first big chance for Stocksbridge came with a cost though. A corner from Tomas Poole was whipped in and headed back across the six-yard box for Jack Watson whose close range header was well saved. Unfortunately as he went for the header, he had a clash of heads with a defender. After a long stoppage, Watson would go off and go for stitches at the local hospital.

Lewis Macaskill would come on for Watson and he’d make an impact. He’d force a mistake from the Clipstone defence as they tried to pass it from the back, robbing the ball off them being being tripped. Luke Rawson once again stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, giving the Steels the lead.

Clipstone had struggled to get a hold of the ball in the first half but in the second they were much improved. Former Steels forward Gareth Curtis had emerged into the game forced some early chances but Ben Townsend made some impressive saves to keep his clean sheet in tact.

As the game continued, Clipstone pressed and were looking to claim an equaliser. In the last ten minutes of the match they threw everything at the Stocksbridge defence to try and get the all important goal. They came very close when a cross from Henry Hampshaw was palmed into the box and the No. 19 pounced onto it but he leant back too far and smashed the volley over the bar. This was a let off for the Steels but it allowed them to keep a clean sheet and continue their unbeaten pre-season.