STEETON manager Roy Mason has been left to rue the wet weather and lost revenue as they look to play their first game in three weeks.

Mason says he especially felt for his groundstaff who worked tirelessly to get last Saturday's clash with AFC Liverpool on before the heavens opened on matchday.

It was Steeton's second-successive Saturday where their home game had fallen foul of the wet weather. The Chevrons' clash with Holker Old Boys was called off on March 9, meaning Steeton have not played since losing 1-0 at Chadderton on March 2.

Now 16th-placed Steeton hope for better luck with the elements when they travel to Hallmark Security League Division One North leaders Longridge Town on Saturday.

The frustrating postponements have also resulted in Steeton being unable to fully capitalise on the feel-good factor in Keighley surrounding the new era at Cougars.

Mason hopes a re-arranged home double header for his side at Cougar Park this week will lead to a winning build-up for Cougars' home Challenge Cup fourth round clash with Bradford Bulls.

The wet weather means Steeton will now host Holker Old Boys on Wednesday, March 27 (kick-off 8pm). Meanwhile, Steeton's home clash with AFC Liverpool will take place on Saturday, March 30 (3pm).

Mason said: "It's been massively frustrating. We have only played two games in the last six weeks.

"The lads are still training. I really felt for the groundstaff on Saturday. They had been working miracles leading up to matchday. They put the hours in to get the pitch right at Cougar Park. It looked fine on Friday, but the heavens opened

"It has also meant that we have had some lost revenue. We last played a home game at the end of January.

"Clubs at this level still have outgoings to meet if games are called off.

"We have been hoping to tap into the feel-good factor at Cougar Park with the Keighley Cougars. It's stop-start at the moment for us. Our relationship has so far been fantastic with the new owners at Cougars."

Mason said his side face a huge challenge when they return to action against the side four points clear at the top of Division One North.

He added: "Longridge away will be a really tough game, they have got some good players.

"Throughout the side they are the best team in this league.

"We have put in some good performances this season and we will have to make ourselves hard to beat on Saturday.

"We are mathematically safe from relegation now.

"Our sole aim at the start of the season was to stay up. If someone had said to us that we would be safe by the middle of March, we would have taken that.

"We would like to get bigger crowds for our games at Cougar Park and get more businesses involved in the club."

Steeton made a double capture during their enforced break from action.

Central defender Adam Platt has joined from Ashton Athletic, while Mikey Armitage has signed from Bingley Town.