Steels 3-0 Golcar United

06/08/2022Last Updated: 08/08/2022

527 3 minutes read

Stocksbridge Park Steels won their first FA Cup game in 11 years after beating Golcar United 3-0.

The Steels took the lead with a sweetly hit volley from Kurtis Turner in the first half. They doubled their lead just before half time with a spectacular own goal from Malikia Phillip. In the second half, a great free kick from Tomas Poole sealed the win.

Stocksbridge got off to a great start and looked to get an early goal. Luke Rawson, making his first start after missing pre-season, and Poole were combining well and causing plenty of problems for the Golcar defence. However, the first major chance came from a set piece. Poole’s free kick was whipped in well and Charlie Oglesby’s bullet header beat the goalkeeper but also the post, heading wide.

After the bright start from the Steels, Golcar grew into the game. This was their very first game in the FA Cup and knowing this would be in the history books forever, they were determined to make sure it wasn’t a loss. They would look dangerous in attack though the Steels defence worked hard and were strong in the air to prevent anything that’d test Harrison Davison-Hale. Kayle Price wasn’t too far off when he found space wide in the box but fired his shot wide.

This allowed the Steels to score first. They got a deep free kick and while there was a delay to it being taken due to a scuffle between Ross Goodwin and Leon Henry in which both was booked, Poole was able to step up and put in a great ball. Graham Mclachlan punched the ball away but Turner reacted first and volleyed it into the back of the net.

Stocksbridge pressed after this and they’d have a second before the end of the half. Goodwin’s ball into the box was tantalising but Phillip looked to clear it away. He sliced the clearance backwards and it was lofted beautifully above Mclachlan’s head and then under the bar. It was the sort of own goal that’d make it on the Football Blunders videos that used to fill bargain bins across the country and not one he’d like to remember. It did mean Stocksbridge had a two goal lead going into half time.

Golcar came with a point to prove in the second half and they wanted the early goal to create some nerves among the home fans. It was astounding though they didn’t score. A header on the six-yard box from thr Golcar attacker bounced down and beat Davison-Hale and some of the away fans had even started celebrating. However, it ended up bouncing off the bar and then post before the Steels were able to clear it away. Golcar also put some very dangerous balls into the box but no one was there to tap it in.

Stocksbridge would go up the other end and score, effectively ending the game as a contest. Gareth Curtis was able to break clear of the defence before he was bundled over by Mark Everingham, who was booked for his troubles. Poole stepped up and hit the free kick sweet as anything, smashing it off the bar before it came back off an unlucky Mclachlan before going in.

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Stocksbridge had their chances to make it 4-0 as well. Most notably this was through Luca Defalco, the Stocksbridge born lad making his competitive debut. He broke through clear on goal after a successful break though before he could shoot, Lee Bradshaw was back to cover and make a key tackle.
Golcar may have lost the game but they did end the game with some pride. They tried very hard to get a consolation and weren’t too far off. Alexander Hallam smashed one effort off the bar before another long range effort forced an impressive save from Davison-Hale. But Stocksbridge would soon confirm their win and end the 11-year wait for a win in the FA Cup.