West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division: Steeton 6 DRAM Community 0

STEETON got their season off to a superb start with an emphatic victory over DRAM.

The hosts did not have things entirely their own way in the opening 15 minutes as DRAM (which stands for Dalton, Rawthorpe and Moldgreen) put together some slick play, though without really threatening the home goal.

Alex Yates and and Sam Rooke went close but it was Ben Clarkson who broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when he stole in behind the back four and slotted a loose ball past the goalkeeper.

The same player almost doubled the lead two minutes later after latching on to a low cross from strike-partner Yates, but was denied by some brave goalkeeping.

Clarkson saw another effort go narrowly wide after 30 minutes before notching his second on the stroke of half-time, heading into the net after a cross by Joe Mason was superbly headed back across goal by Joe Park.

Steeton played particularly neatly down the left flank, with Park and Elliott Scott combining well. In the centre of defence, Rooke and Alistair Morgan made sure that keeper Wayne Mahomet was rarely troubled.

In midfield, skipper Andy Holden led the team magnificently while debutants Joe Flaherty and Rory Judd gave performances of which they can be proud.

Clarkson completed his hat-trick six minutes into the second half when he collected the ball in the inside right channel and fired a low shot across the keeper into the bottom corner.

Steeton went four then five up when DRAM defenders scored own goals in the 58th and 84th minutes. The rout was completed in the dying seconds when Clarkson grabbed his fourth.

Steeton boss Roy Mason said: "Despite us having a number of bodies missing we put in a great performance and created numerous chances.

"The team is a bit younger now and we had a lot of energy in all areas of the pitch. It's an ideal start for us, but it's one game and we need to show the same desire and energy in the coming games."

Steeton: Mahomet, Mason, Scott, Morgan, Rooke, Flaherty, Holden, Judd (Adam Smith), Clarkson, Yates, Park (Jonah Smith). .

* Steeton's second string also scored six goals in an away fixture against Golcar United Reserves, who managed to score three. Steeton's scorers were Brannan Lawn (2), Andy Howland, Grieg Hudson, Jack Richmond and Will Knight.