Emley 1-1 Steels

Stocksbridge Park Steels remain unbeaten in pre-season following a 1-1 draw with Emley.

Both sides started off cagily with defences winning the battle in the early parts of the match. The biggest chance in the first part of the game went Emley’s way as a cross found an unmarked Iwyrah Gooden but he was unable to keep his uncontested header on target.

It would be the Pewits who struck first though. Steve Smith split the defence with his through ball and Reuben Jerome had all the time and space in the world to finish past Henry Hampshaw. The Steels would look for an equaliser before the end of the half but they struggled to pull the trigger, leading it to be 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, Stocksbridge were a lot better and were soon creating opportunities. Luke Rawson broke into the box on the left hand side before curling a shot that would rattle back off the post. He’d only need one more attempt to score through. The trialist centre-back found Jack Watson on the right wing who with only tough passed it across to Rawson whose left footed finish brilliantly found the bottom corner.

Emley rallied though and could have taken back the lead on a few chances. A brilliant cross from Emley just needed a touch at the far post for it to be converted but Lawrence just couldn’t get onto the end of it. Then, a short corner routine had caught out the Steels defence allowing Norcross to get a shot away but his curling shot hit the outside of the box.

Stocksbridge also had their chance to win the game. Watson did very well to outfight a defender who had a few inches on him and was able to break free to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. With the goal beckoning though, Watson scuffed his shot and steered the ball wide. Before the end of the game Watson would get a booking for a dangerous challenge, but that’d be the last incident of the game as it ended 1-1.