Match Report

Steelers 1 v 2 New Brancepeth

The result may not have gone the way of the Steelers as New Brancepeth WMC reversed our victory from 7 days previously but the overall performance was markedly improved from Sunday gone. The visitors ran out 2-1 victors on the night but the difference in mental attitude and wholeheartedness from the lads was very pleasing.

We could have slipped further into the hole that had evolved from the Sacriston game but instead we moved forward with heads held a lot higher than the weekend.

Steelers took an early lead in the 6th minute when Iain Race headed another Michael Nichol head back from a Thompson corner. Although only a yard out from goal the colossal centre half was there to finish the move with style. He has also kindly requested that I should remind everyone that he is current top scorer with 2 pre season goals and I can see his big cheesy grin coming on his face now as he reads this.

Once again we were limited on player numbers through various circumstances but we should maybe have capitalised on our early start as we created some enterprising openings during the first half. Liam Burn and Michael Webster (Webby) had a couple of opportunities to increase our lead and notch their first’s of the season and it is only a matter of time before both lads get off the mark but Webby must have thought his first goal had come on 60 minutes when he rattled the cross bar from 18 yards with a dynamic left footed shot.

The visitors levelled before the half way break with an across goal shot from the right hand side of the area. New Brancepeth also grabbed the winning goal with a defence splitting ball from midfield that was finished expertly from 12 yards with approximately 20 to go. They have a tidy side and should do very well in this their first season in the 3rd division after winning the 4th division in their inaugural season. Good luck lads.

Both of our subs had early run outs as not only did we have limited numbers but a few players are carrying their own little knocks especially the lads who are playing four times a week and we had to adapt to this. We even ended the game with 10 men as we were fresh out of replacements for the final 15 minutes.



Hightower did go some way to rectifying the little mistake he made in the previous game as he pulled off two top drawer saves in the second 45. The best being a vicious shot that he tipped onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.

He was not alone in righting blips as we did play some enterprising football going forward but we still have some way to go in other areas of our game. Hopefully this will come together in our final two matches.

Michael Nichol was instrumental in most of our attacking play and did at times help out in the rear quarters. This performance gained him MOM from the visiting player/secretary Craig Hindmarch and also a joint MOM from me by sharing this with Jamie Clifford.

It was a first game for skipper Kieron Moralee and even he picked up a knock with a sprain to his left thumb/hand. Still with 2 games to go we hope to get everyone vital pitch time in preparation of the league KO on the 14th August.

To finish off I will once again mention the big fella at the back as he’s loving every minute at present. Top scorer despite only playing 2 pre season games and may I add, not full games either as his fetlock is a little bit tight. To add to this he is not twisting as much as previous seasons so could this be the year of the Race. Lets hope so!

Goals:
Iain Race

MOM from Manager:
Michael Nichol
Jamie Clifford

MOM from Opposition:
Michael Nichol

3 Stars:
Michael Nichol
Jamie Clifford

2 Stars:
Michael Webster

1 Star:
Liam Burn

Yellow Cards:
None

Red Cards:
None

Achievements:
None