Steeton AFC

Marley Playing Fields, home of Steeton AFC based in Keighley, West Yorkshire and play their trade in Step 6 of the non league pyramid in the North West Counties Football League Division One North. Nicknamed the “Chevrons…” Now that is a first!! A very unusual but brilliant nickname!

I missed it yesterday for Gresley Rovers but I am not missing it today! My first ever Groundhop with 2 games on this early March Sunday with Groundhop UK! Bring it on!! We start with a trip to Steeton AFC who face Ashton Town in a lower league battle which could be significant for both sides in the relegation battle.

For the first time in a while, Ben will be joining me and the Merry Miller today on this trip!! Over to Worksop for Ben and then over to West Melton for the Merry Miller and off we go!! Onto the M1 and the M62 which sees us here with plenty of time before kick off!

But first, one of Steeton’s old grounds Cougar Park which is now home of Keighley Cougars of Rugby League is just down the road, let’s check it out! What a ground this is!! It has previously hosted a Rugby League World Cup game here once and was also home of Silsden FC but this ground is old school and has it all for me!!

**SPOILER ALERT**

• The Ground: 10/10 – UNREAL!!!!!!!

One day I’ll get there!! But for now it’s time for the game… Do I wish I’d got here sooner…? Where on earth do I park?? Pretty cramped in the ground… It’s time for Plan B! After a good 10 minutes of driving, I am finally parked! Now to get there for kick off. We’re here at last and they are just getting ready to kick off! Get in!! £5 to get in here! GET IN!!! And straight away we bump into Chris who is one of the bosses of Groundhop UK! Great start and great to see him again! Who else is here?

Kick Off! 3 minutes in and Steeton have a corner, in it comes… In towards Andy Briggs… he heads wide. Both teams getting in to each other’s halves so far but no real clear cut opportunities as of yet. Into the 14th minute and Ashton play a through ball to Declan Hill and he’s onside here, he goes for the lob with the keeper off his line… He’s got it!!! Great finish!! Keeper in no mans land though… 0-1!

As expected today, everyone is here!! Hello to Hoyland John, Tony, Mick Docking, Andy & Jack from Oldham and Luke!! Today is going to be a good one!! Great to catch up with everyone for sure!! 23rd minute and Steeton have a corner, whipped in… Headed at goal… Did that come off an Ashton hand there? Referee not interested and Ashton clear for a throw in to Steeton, it’s played in… A foul by Ashton gives Steeton a free kick right on the edge of the box on the right wing, Luke Baldwin steps up and shoots… Good save by the keeper!! A great effort there!

Steeton are looking the better of the 2 teams as the game goes on. 33 minutes on the clock and Steeton come again, the ball comes to Toby Jeffery around 25 yards out and he goes for goal… AND HE FINDS IT!!! What a strike!! Arrowed into the top corner!!! And Steeton are level!! Brilliant goal!! 1-1!!

44 minutes now and Steeton come forward again, it’s worked over to Kayle Price running into the box on the left, keeper comes out and he shoots… Kept out by the keeper!! Steeton continue to press but at half time it stays 1-1.

Now to get my thoughts for the FANA Fan Podcast vlog and we’ve certainly picked the right place to film it… Right behind the goal where the subs are shooting at… I sure hope they don’t hit me… BOOOSH! Not me but Ben certainly got hit! Good decision by both of us there!

Second half, 50th minute and Ashton have a corner, it’s played in… George Wyatt with the header… OFF THE BAR!!! Steeton clear. 1 minute later and Steeton have a throw in on the left, it’s played to Kayle Price who cuts inside on the edge of the box, he goes for the far corner… HE’S HIT THE POST! So close again for the third goal there!!

Great to see Miles, the Smiler Hopper here today as well who I’ve just bumped into!! The game has slowed down significantly after 2 strikes against the woodwork earlier on in the half… 68 minutes played and Ashton have a free kick in the Steeton half on the right, it’s played into the middle, Ashton get to it… But it rolls wide… Good chance!

77th minute and Ashton’s Ethan Van-Aston and Steeton’s Jordan Townend battle for the ball on the left hand side… Townend goes down… That was a bit aggressive there from Van-Aston… The Steeton bench are furious! Was that an arm there? The Referee goes into his pocket… Red Card!! Van-Aston is OFF! Ashton are down to 10 men…

Into the last 10 minutes now and can Steeton take advantage of the extra man here? They play a through ball to Luke Baldwin who gets into the box, he cuts onto his left and shoots… Important save by the keeper there and it’s away from danger!

84 minutes now and Steeton are chasing the winner now, Jordan Townend has the ball played to him, he’s 30 yards out and he goes goal… OHHHHH!!!! WHAT ABOUT THAT!!! Some great goals here today but that was the best and it could be the winner here! A goal worthy of winning any game!!! Eat that!! 2-1!!

88th minute and Andy Briggs is taken down by an Ashton player… Oh no! He’s pushed him down a bit aggressively there… He could be in trouble here… It’s a Yellow Card! He’s lucky there for me! Into stoppage time and Andy Briggs loses the ball in the Ashton half, they clear and Briggs dives in recklessly… He can’t get away with that one surely… It’s a second yellow for him… And it’s 10v10 for the last couple of minutes. Ashton press forward… But the Referee blows for full time!! A good game in the end!!

FT: Steeton 2-1 Ashton Town

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 1/10 – Despite the big crowd of groundhoppers, it was dead unfortunately…
• The Ground: 5/10 – It’s a decent setup but for me it’s the views around it which I loved about this ground! It would fit in the Hope Valley League very well!! It does have 2 little stands as well and a nice little clubhouse.
• Expense: 10/10 – £5 for 2 red cards and some fine finishing!! Brilliant!
• Overall Experience: 10/10 – A great game here for the neutrals but for me, the day was made by seeing the people I haven’t seen in a while!! A great start to the ground hop!

26/40