Steeton look on as title rivals slip up (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Steeton look on as title rivals slip up

4:30pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport By Philip Rhodes

Heavy overnight rain led to a number of West Riding County Amateur League postponements but could not stop Steeton stepping up their double ambitions.

The leaders’ league title hopes were boosted by defeats for two of their rivals and at the same time they secured a place in the Premier Division Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 home win over Marsden.

Callum Meade’s goal gave Marsden an interval advantage but second-half strikes from Damian Whiteoak and Lee Reilly turned the tables.

Waterlogged pitches accounted for several fixtures – including the three scheduled Division One Cup matches at Hunsworth, Tingley Athletic and Wakefield City, as well as the Division Two Cup game between West Horton and Salts Reserves.

But some key league games did go ahead and Steeton were able to look on with satisfaction as fellow Premier Division high-fliers Bay Athletic and Salts both lost at home.

Bay had a chance to move second – within seven points of Steeton with five games in hand – but suffered a 3-1 defeat to Campion, who are now up to fifth.

Carl Trennery and Curtis McMahon scored for Campion before a Brighton Mugadza strike brought Bay back into the game, only for Andy Atkinson to seal the points with a late penalty.

Salts remain eight points behind Steeton, having now played two games more, and dropped a place to third after also losing 3-1.

They had kicked off their return to the top flight with a 1-1 draw against Tyersal back in August but found them too hot to handle in Saturday’s return.

Terry Ryan (2) and Andrew Bailey did the damage, with substitute Lee Grice netting Salts’ consolation.

Defending champions Ovenden West Riding are up to second place – also eight points behind Steeton but with three games in hand – after winning 4-2 at home to bottom side Overthorpe.

Nicky Croisdale and Elliott Brooke had given the strugglers a 2-0 lead but Ovenden powered back through John Booth (2), Carl Pownall and Jay Carney.

Two matches in Division One survived the weather, with Lower Hopton winning 5-0 at Campion Reserves as goals from Chris Jackson and debutant Andy Bickerstaff backed up a James Lloyd hat-trick.

Westbrook YMCA were 3-0 winners at home to rock-bottom Storthes Hall Reserves thanks to goals by James McDermott, Richard Terry and Darrell Clark.

Premier Division side Kirkburton reached the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Challenge Cup final as Daniel Morgan, Jack Greene and James Meadows scored in a 3-1 victory at Rossington Main Reserves.