Steels 2-1 Winterton Rangers

Stocksbridge Park Steels got a very important three points after beating relegation rivals Winterton Rangers 2-1.

Both teams had big chances to take the lead early on in the game. An early cross from Jack Watson was met well in the box by Luke Rawson, but his header was right at the goalkeeper Nathan Popple. At the other end, Bailey Adamson was free in the box for a volley but he miscued it and it went high and over.

Another chance would fall to Stocksbridge and this time it would be taken. Tomas Poole slipped a ball past the Winterton defence and Watson outpaced his defender to burst clear in the box and then he simply finished into the bottom corner to give the Steels the lead.

The game would slowly tilt in Winterton’s favour, with Harry Garman having to make a good save to prevent a free kick from Owen Vincent from going in. But they would get an equaliser before the end of the half, with Stocksbridge never really ending an attack with their clearances constantly going into the Winterton midfield. This final ball though was the killer and Lee Ridley was able to head it in.

Stocksbridge were much improved in the second half as they looked to up the pace. After getting close a few times, it finally worked and the Steels would have the lead again. Poole’s corner was perfect and Ross Goodwin headed it in from close range to put Stocksbridge ahead.

The Steels looked more likely to score the next goal as well. Jack Dolman was causing plenty of problems, first he burst into the box before curling his shot just over the bar. The better chance would come later when the ball fell to him in the six-yard box but he overplayed things before firing a shot that would be well blocked. Despite not doubling the lead, Stocksbridge would get a crucial three points.