Steels 2-0 Emley

Stocksbridge Park Steels put themselves in the best possible position for the play-offs with a 2-0 win over Emley.

Early on in the game, the Steels got the stroke of luck often needed in big clashes like this one. Danny Deakin’s corner was swung in and Paul Iggulden was bundled to the ground in the box. Controversially, the referee pointed to the spot. Luke Rawson stepped up and sent Declan Lambton the wrong way to put the Steels one up.

Following this, Emley were able to get a lot of possession but they struggled to make anything clear cut. Stocksbridge were utilising the break well, with Luke Rawson almost doubling his tally with a curling finish that was saved by Lambton.

It would be another corner that caused the second goal. Once again, Deakin’s cross went in and it evaded everyone but Elliot Owen who stretched out his knee to get enough contact on it and get the ball into the back of the net.

The second half was all about game management and making sure Emley didn’t have a chance to get back into the match. And that’s exactly what Stocksbridge did. While the Steels couldn’t say they created much themselves, though Emley did make errors passing from the back they could have done better with, Emley struggled to lay a glove on the Steels defence. The only save Ben Townsend made was a weak header from Josh Ayres.

This meant Stocksbridge could ride the game out and claim a massive three points which move them into 3rd.