Steels 0-3 Bradford Park Avenue

Stocksbridge Park Steels lost out after three late goals from Bradford Park Avenue sunk them.

Both sides started off well but the first chance went to the travelling side. A ball went into the box from the right and Paddy Sykes sent the ball towards goal but thankfully Tom Charlesworth was the hero, blocking the shot on the line.

At the other end, Stocksbridge had a huge chance of their own. A loose ball went into the box and Alex Hardwick chased after it, only to be taken down by goalkeeper Jack Hall. A penalty was given but Hardwick couldn’t convert, the Sheffield Wednesday loanee keeper making the save to his left.

In the second half, Stocksbridge started well as they looked to take the lead. And they certainly had the chances to do so. Joao Silva showed his usual skill to get past some players before playing the ball across goal but no one was able to convert. Dan Hernandez also thought he had scored when he came off the bench as his well placed shot beat Hall, but it didn’t beat the defence who cleared it off the line.

Stocksbridge would be punished for not taking their chances. Bradford Park Avenue earned a corner at the other and sent in a great delivery for substitute Myles La Bastide who headed in, making a quick impact just minutes after coming on.

Not long later, BPA had doubled their lead. Taking advantage of a Stocksbridge side who had allowed their heads to drop, Park Avenue worked quickly and the ball found itself with La Bastide, who took the opportunity and it was soon 2-0.

The Steels pushed everything forward looking to get back into the game, but that left them exposed at the back. Park Avenue took advantage of this, breaking quickly with Will Calligan forcing an impressive save from Ben Townsend. They would score from the short corner routine, with Sykes converting at the far post to confirm Stocksbridge’s first loss since August.