Steels 2-1 Atherton

03/09/2022Last Updated: 05/09/2022

332 1 minute read

Steels came from behind to knock out step 3 side Atherton Collieries to book their place in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2010/11 season. Steels were good for the money and had the lions share of the best chances throughout the 90 minutes. Steels came closet during a goalless first half with both Poole and Macaskill causing havoc on both sides of the box with a fantastic ball zipping across the goalmouth begging to be touched but was just out of reach of Rawson.

Stocksbridge continued to be the better of the two sides after the break and should have taken the lead when another thunderbolt from Lemon was tipped over the bar. Then had a few more goalmouth scrambles with Atherton able to survive the pressure. Then against the run of play they took the lead on 55 minutes through a fantastic individual effort from Smith flew into the bottom right corner past a very impressive Davison-Hale, who despite the goal had an excellent afternoon between the sticks for Stocksbridge.

Steels though continued to play their own game and didn’t let their heads dropped. Steels got a corner and Poole’s balls into the box caused havoc all afternoon and his ball was headed by Murray and it came to captain marvel Ross Goodwin who pounced to give Steels a much deserved equalizer on 67 minutes. Stocksbridge continued to look dangerous but Atherton were never out of it and those watching from the terraces knew that one chance was all it took. Thankfully that chance fell to Stocksbridge, another Steels corner, this time ball was cleared but straight back to Poole who put in a inch perfect cross for Elliot Murray to head home his second goal of the week and this time it would prove the winner.

Atherton had a couple of half chances but Stocksbridge to a man worked hard all over the pitch to make sure that come Monday at 1pm our name would be in the bag for the next draw.

MOM: Elliot Murray