Overthorpe 1 Steeton 4

STEETON progressed to the second round of the League Cup despite having to make more changes.

Lee Thompson and Jonson Butterfield had to play for the reserves as work commitments meant they were unable to make the meet time for the earlier 1.45pm kick-off.

The changes meant a return for Michael Rhodes and a first start of the season for Andy Briggs, with Sam Fox and Aiden Smith being on the bench.

The early kick-off surprised manager Roy Mason, who said: “A 1.45pm kick-off meant an 11.30am meet for us and that makes things tricky with lads working on Saturday morning.

"I can’t understand why at this time of year we needed an early start as there is still plenty of light to still kick off at 2.30pm and get a further 30 minutes in if need be.”

The home side employed the long ball at every opportunity and looked to put the Steeton back four under aerial pressure. The dominance of Steve Pearson however limited their chances.

Steeton were creating the better of the chances, with Ben Richardson firing over and Olly Hunter rattling the bar.

Tom Sowerbutts forced the home keeper into two fine saves but the Chevrons finally took the lead after 40 minutes when a Hunter corner wasn’t cleared and Briggs stabbed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

However, within two minutes the home side had levelled. A ball over the top saw Steeton not push out in tandem and Jack Alleton made it 1-1 at the break.

The second half saw the visitors step up the pace. Tim Hird and Richardson were both now getting a foothold in midfield and Olly Hunter was finding space on the left. He did well to surge into the box and pull the ball back for Lee Reilly to strike home.

Within a minute Reilly had his second after good work from Richardson. That was quickly three as Reilly finished with aplomb following another great piece of interchange play.

Reilly’s hat-trick knocked the stuffing out of Overthorpe and Steeton introduced both Fox and Smith, who was unlucky to see a shot go wide.

Rhodes then played a superb ball over the top for Richardson to latch on to, but his effort was just the wrong side of the bar.

Steeton face Honley at home this weekend (2.30pm).

Steeton: Mahomet, Rhodes, Mason, Morgan, Pearson, Hird, Sowerbutts (S Fox) Richardson, Reilly, Briggs (A Smith), Hunter