Steels 2-1 Prestwich Hey
Written by Dakir Thanveer
Stocksbridge Park Steels kicked off their season by beating Prestwich Heys 2-1 in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round at Bracken Moor on Saturday, 3rd August.
The first chance of the game fell to Jack Haslam, who had a looping header cleared off the line by a Heys defender in the 18th minute. Ashley Butterworth had a headed attempt a minute later, but Louis opposition goalkeeper Hood had it covered.
Stocksbridge continued to enjoy possession in good areas of the pitch, with only the final touch lacking. Alex Hardwick played a low cross in the six-yard box after neatly combining with Jack Haslam and almost saw the ball go into the back of the net off a Prestwich defender.
However, the Steels soon found themselves under the cosh. The visitors would have gone in front had it not been for two great saves from Harry Garman and solid block from Jack Tinker. Stocksbridge also made a goal-line clearance towards the end of the first half to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
The hosts came out with all guns blazing in the second half, creating a chance just seconds after the whistle. Haslam got on the end of a cross from Butterworth and saw his shot just loop over the crossbar.
Minutes later, a free-kick from Danny Deakin found Elliot Owen in front of the goal, but Hood stood tall in the Prestwich goal.
Stocksbridge eventually reaped the rewards for the continued pressure, with Alex Phillipson giving them the lead in the 56th minute. The defender made no mistake from close-range after Hood failed to punch the ball away following a free-kick from Kurtis Turner.
Things soon got out of hand as a brawl broke out between the two sets of players, leaving Tinker in pain. After consulting with his assistants, referee Jake Burton showed the red card to Prestwich duo Fenton Reeves and Sonny Roma Reeves. Alex O’Connor and Hardwick, meanwhile, were booked.
The Heys reacted to being reduced to nine men by making a triple substitution. Stocksbridge freshened thing up as well, with Joao Silva replacing Butterworth.
Back on the pitch, Hardwick had an attempt cleared off the line by the visitors.
Silva came close to doubling Stocksbridge’s lead with a close-range header, but was denied by a fine save from Hood. He had the ball in the back of the net a minute later only to be immediately flagged offside.
The Steels were soon left to rue the missed chances as Prestwich grabbed an unlikely equaliser from a corner through Nathan Bartram-Conway.
Stocksbridge reacted by bringing Daniel Hernandez on for goalscorer Phillipson.
The hosts’ determination paid off as Owen headed in an in-swinging corner from Deakin in the 87th minute. The defender leapt over everyone else in the box to put his team in front again.
While there was nine minutes added on to the 90, Stocksbridge managed the time to earn the win.
