Halifax Irish 1 Steeton 4

Steeton bounced back to winning ways following a much better performance than the previous week's showing at Huddersfield YMCA.

With Graham Holmes returning to the starting line-up, they had a bit more presence up front and he almost scored straight from the kick-off as his shot was blocked by the keeper following hesitancy in the home defence.

Lee Reilly was narrowly wide and Andy Holden screwed a shot over from Mark McGee’s pull back.

Steeton got the reward their play deserved when a quick free-kick found McGee, who finished well into the bottom corner.

This should have been the platform to build on but a lapse in concentration let in the home side for a leveller with their first attack. It could have got worse for the visitors when Irish struck the foot of the post as their confidence grew.

Steeton again went close, Jack Richmond firing over and McGee just failing to get on the end of a great cross from Michael Rhodes. Holmes had a shot blocked as the conditions started to hamper Steeton’s passing game.

The second period couldn’t have got off to a better start as Holmes made space inside the box and fired home to give Steeton a deserved lead.

New signing Tobias Rawcliffe came on and showed some nice touches. He shot narrowly over the bar after finding himself in space and Tim Hird was also not far off with a long-range effort.

The turning point came with 20 minutes to play as Sam Rooke was hauled down on the edge of the box and the Halifax defender was sent off as he was the last man.

This knocked the stuffing out of the home side as Joe Park fed Reilly, who calmly smashed home the third to seal the points.

Arley Barnes did well to break up a rare attack from the home side and fed sub Josh Huntley, who fired over when he should have hit the target. The keeper did well to block from Huntley at close range before sub Ryan Cox fed Reilly, who confidently chipped the keeper for Steeton's fourth.

Boss Roy Mason felt his side were good value for their win. He said: "The work rate was much better and, no disrespect to the players in previous weeks, we had our strongest bench for a long time.

"It was pleasing to see Toby Rawcliffe come in and do so well. He only trained with us on Tuesday for the first time after coach Adam Longden recommended him and he gave us a different dimension in midfield.

"It's important that we take this form into Saturday's game at home to Golcar."

Steeton: Brooksbank, Rhodes, Park (Cox), Barnes, Rooke, Richmond (Rawcliffe), Holden, Hird, Reilly, Holmes (Huntley), McGee