Reilly's goal secures last-four place (From Craven Herald)

Reilly's goal secures last-four place

11:31am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

Steeton 2 Marsden 1

Steeton came from behind to book a place in the semi-finals of the Premier Division Cup following a much improved second-half performance.

The hosts started the game strongly and Lee Reilly went close before Marsden showed they were not there just to make up the numbers.

Callum Meade went close to putting the visitors ahead, but Phil Rishton did well to block as he bore down on goal. Then the keeper got down to save from Jonathan Newiss.

Steeton almost took the lead with their best move of the game so far as Arley Barnes fed Andy Holden but Ash Connor did well to parry his fierce drive away.

Rishton then tipped a Meade effort over the bar as both keepers were featuring strongly, Newiss headed over as Marsden looked the more likely scorers.

Andy King had an effort blocked by Connor and the visiting keeper was up bravely to smother his second attempt .

The Huddersfield side took the lead after 35 minutes as Meade finished neatly into the bottom corner, and then Chris Simpson was wide for Steeton as they looked to get in at half-time on level terms.

The second half saw a stronger and brighter home side come out, Holden combined well with Michael Rhodes before whipping in a great cross from the right which Damien Whiteoak stabbed home from close range.

This equaliser turned the tide in the home side’s favour, and Simpson again went close.

However, it was Marsden who should have gone in front when, despite a bit of confusion in the Steeton area, Newiss was left with a free header from a yard out that he put onto the bar.

Simpson headed Holden’s corner off target and Barnes struck a shot wide. However, Steeton took the lead when Jimmy Christian played the ball out of defence and Jamie Longley headed on to Reilly, who took the ball in his stride to fire down the middle past Connor.

Reilly was close again and was unlucky to see his effort hooked off the line following good work from King.

Matty Kershaw then played the ball into Simpson’s feet and he turned and headed for goal, only Connor’s outstretched palm preventing a third.

Reilly again went close in the latter stages as he wriggled free inside the box but pulled his shot wide.

On Saturday, Steeton entertain Oxenhope in a Keighley & District FA Challenge Cup semi-final at Summerhill Lane (1.30pm).