Golcar 5 Steeton 2

Steeton produced arguably one of their worst performances of the season as they suffered a second-half collapse.

The hosts came into the game on the back of playing their Huddersfield District Cup semi-final the night before.

Steeton made one change, with the injured Declan Consoli being replaced by Casey Douthwaite, who was making his first start of the season.

The Chevrons started the brighter as Lee Reilly went close. Andy Holden’s whipped-in deliveries were causing the home defence problems.

They took the lead in the 23rd minute when Michael Rhodes lofted a free-kick into the area and Sam Rooke flicked the ball past Shane Kelly in the Golcar goal. Douthwaite then had a great chance to make it 2-0 but hesitated and dragged his shot wide. Had Steeton got a second the game could well have panned out differently.

The second half wasn’t even a minute old when the home side headed a leveller from a corner as Max Leonard was left unmarked. Within five minutes they had increased their lead as Leonard pounced and was given too much time after Steeton failed to clear.

Mike Kitson then made it 3-1 as the visitors folded. They did briefly rally as Alistair Morgan headed in from close range but a Sam Hillhouse goal put the hosts back in command. With time running out, Steeton were caught again as Nathan Tayo was allowed to slip past three challenges to fire past Mahomet.

Manager Roy Mason was fuming after the game and the players were left in no uncertain terms as to how he felt.

He said: “We did not dictate the pace of the game and we did not kill the game off in the first half when we had the lion’s share of possession.

"We really need to play some games at a faster pace and with more intensity than we have of late.

"We have three league games left and we need to not only improve our league position but also ensure we go into the league cup final with some confidence on the back of a good run."

Steeton travel to Halifax Irish this Wednesday and face Campion in their final home game of the season on Saturday at Summerhill Lane (2.30pm).

Steeton: Mahomet, Rhodes, Morgan, K Fox, Rooke, Hird, Holden, Pearson, Reilly, J Mason, Douthwaite (Briggs).