Wombwell Town 1-4 Steels
Stocksbridge Park Steels progressed into the semi-finals of the Sheffield Senior Cup with a 4-1 win over Wombwell Town.
The Wellers have been one of the top sides in the NCEL Division One this season and were a huge banana skin for Stocksbridge. However, early on the Steels did the best possible thing and get a goal. Danny Deakin’s corner was perfect and Elliot Owen rose highest at the far post to head in and put Stocksbridge ahead.
One of Wombwell’s biggest threats would be the long throw of Owen Sykes, but the Steels had worked out how to turn that into a positive for them as well. Sykes long throw was cleared and Stocksbridge started a slick counter attack that caught the Wombwell defence out of position. The move ended with Alex O’Connor slammed the ball into the back of the net, quickly doubling the Stocksbridge tally.
Stocksbridge were enjoying themselves at this point and going forward as much as possible as they looked to finish the game off in the first half. And they would do exactly that. Harrison Poulter got the ball at the edge of the box, got the ball out of his feet well before tucking the ball into the bottom corner. It would be his first goal since signing for the Steels last month.
In the second half, Stocksbridge didn’t get off the mark well and Wombwell did, something they took advantage of. A brilliant cross from the right was met by the diving header of Jordan Kershaw, tucking it away and extending his lead as the home side’s top goalscorer.
Wombwell had some hope but the Steels were able to extinguish it. After overcoming the slow start to the second half, Stocksbridge took control. They earned a free kick and Kurtis Turner sent in a great delivery and this time it was Paul Iggulden rising highest to head in, scoring his second goal in two games.
Stocksbridge were able to settle the game down after that with the main aim being trying to avoid injuries and drama. While Poulter went off with a strain which is concerning, there was no drama and Stocksbridge moved into the semi-finals for the second year in a row. Hallam awaits.
