Daisy Hill 0

Steeton 0

STEETON travelled to Bolton as they played out a goalless draw against fourth-placed Daisy Hill in a game that showed much more grit, determination and endeavour that had been missing in previous games in the North West Counties League Division One North.

The Chevrons took a while to get going as both teams failed to create any meaningful chances in the early exchanges.

Jeremie Milambo had the first real attempt but the effort from the former Bradford City man's shot was palmed out for a corner by Dean Williamson in the Daisy Hill goal.

That was as good as it got for either side in the first half as both created good build-up play, but neither team could find that final ball that could lead to a strike on goal.

Toward the end of the first half Tawonga Gumboh created a little bit of Steeton history as he became their first player to be sent to the sin bin after an offside decision went against him, much to the frustration of the Steeton bench and few fans that had travelled across the border.

The Chevrons started to get on top in the second half as Milambo and Gumboh added pace to the wings which the Daisy Hill defence struggled to deal with, only some poor crosses which were comfortably caught by the keeper denied any kind of finish to the attack.

Steeton were unlucky not to take the lead as Milambo put the ball into the box, which then pinballed around before the referee deemed there to have been a foul on the keeper.

Daisy Hill had their only real effort of the game after the hour, Joseph Mullarkey beat his man but, after a heavy first touch which allowed Danny Thorpe to come out of his net to half-clear the ball to Jamie Ramwell, who fired a shot wide.

Steeton almost took the lead with another chance through Kayle Price. After a great first touch in which he managed to beat his man and find space, his effort just curled over.

With 15 minutes to play, Steeton introduced Angus Maney who with his first touch found himself in on goal before unselfishly teeing up Gumboh, who couldn’t find the back of the net. His shot just rolling wide after fining himself under pressure from a defender.

With one last roll of the dice, the Chevrons won a corner in injury time, but Gumboh couldn’t keep his header down.

Steeton are visibly improving week in week out and after two good performances will want to get back to winning ways as they host Pilkington at Cougar Park on Saturday.

Manager Roy Mason was pleased with the performance but understandably disappointed not to take the three points.

He said: “I thought we dominated large parts of the game and created numerous chances, the two central midfielders showed real discipline and the back four and Thorpy were all outstanding, limiting Daisy Hill to long range efforts.

"We need to use this now as a platform to get things going."

Steeton: Thorpe, Morgan, Scott, Chima, Pearson, Hird, Gombah, Richmond, Price, Clarkson (Maney), Milambo. Subs not used: Jeffrey, Stein, Goodall