Winterton Rangers 2-1 Steels

Stocksbridge Park Steels fell to their second defeat in a week following a 2-1 loss to Winterton Rangers.

The Steels started off positively and would get a reward within ten minutes. Jack Watson earned a free kick close to the byline and the box, though there were questions of if he was initially offside and if it was even a foul at all. Kurtis Turner lofted the free kick into the box and Charlie Oglesby was left unmarked to head the ball in.

Stocksbridge had been edging the game and looked more likely to score next, especially with Watson forcing a good save from the Winterton goalkeeper. But he home side were dangerous and even had one ruled out for offside which should have given a fright to the Steels defence. But eventually, the home side were level. After an oddly awarded free kick, not because of the lack of a foul but because the wrong one was penalised, the ball was cleared to Stephen Ridley who hit a thunderbolt of a volley onto the bar and in.

In the second half, Stocksbridge once again started off quite well. Watson was causing plenty of problems and forcing saves but against the run of play, they’d go behind. Stephen Ridley’s long range shot forced a good save from Ben Townsend and as an attacker followed it up, Turner made a poor challenge and fouled him. There was no question that it was a penalty and Ridley stepped up to send Townsend the wrong way.

For a while after the goal, Stocksbridge really struggled and Winterton looked like they were going to extend their lead. However after managing to stay just one behind, Stocksbridge were able to grow back into the game. Watson’s cross hit the bar and one break gave the ball to Tomas Poole whose shot fizzed just wide of the far post. It meant Stocksbridge were left pointless from this game.