Steels close in on playoffs

Stocksbridge PS 4-1 Hebburn Town

Match report by Adam Allcroft

Stocksbridge Park Steels are just one point away from sealing a place in the play-offs following an emphatic 4-1 win over Hebburn Town.

AT THE DOUBLE: Iffy Ofeogbo celebrates with Tomas Poole after scoring Steel’s second goal.

Photo by: Chris Clancy

Goalscorer: (left) Luke Rawson

Photo by: Myra Little

Goalscorer: Lewis Macaskill

Photo by Pete Revitt

Steels got off to the best possible start. Bailey-Tye Baker sent a long ball forward over the top of the defence and Luke Rawson had the beating of his man. He then bundled the ball past another defender before firing past goalkeeper Shaun Newbrook at his near post. It was a classy individual effort from Rawson as he starts to hit top form at the end of the

Stocksbridge were unlucky that they weren’t able to double their lead. Tomas Poole whipped a free kick in from deep and Keegan Townrow was able to rise highest to head into the back of the net. He thought he had got his first ever Stocksbridge goal but the linesman judged it to be offside, ruling it out.

Hebburn weren’t too far off levelling things themselves. Corner were causing problems in the Steel’s box and Stocksbridge were not confident in clearing the danger. Robbie Spence tee-ed himself up for a volley and crashed it off the underside off the bar for Ben Townsend to claw it out. The away fans were cheering thinking it was in, but Townsend’s stunning save made sure Stocksbridge kept their lead.

That ended up being a sliding doors moment as Stocksbridge would go on to double their lead not long after. A superb one-two between Lewis Macaskill and Jack Tinker allowed the latter to break through the defence and get to the byline. He put a quality low cross in and Wayne Phillips almost turned it into his own goal, only for Jack Donaghy to clear it off the line. He only cleared it to Ify Ofoegbu though who lashed it home to double the lead just before the end of the half.

Just as the first half started off brilliantly for Stocksbridge, so did the second. Steels earned a corner and Poole whipped it in for the far post. Ofoegbu was there to head it into the back of the net and ease any nerves Stocksbridge might have. Ofoegbu was unfortunate to add another t his name from another corner, but Townrow’s foul on the goalkeeper denied him the hat-trick.

Not long after Townsend made another great save from close range, Stocksbridge got their fourth but it was a bit lucky. Macaskill had worked his way into the box but his initial effort was blocked. The block would ricochet to Macaskill, bounced off his knee and looped over Newbrook to truly kill the game off.

Hebburn would get one goal back. Amar Purewal got a good touch after a ball over the top and Townsend body checked him as he rushed out to grab the ball. The referee pointed to the spot and Oliver Martin would send the keeper the wrong way to get a consolation. But a consolation was all the Hornets would take back to the North East as the Steels moved into third place.

Manager Ian Richards said after the game,

A great way to sign off our home league campaign. I thought we played excellent from start to finish. Everyone was excellent and we needed 14 players today. We’ll go to Bridlington on Saturday to get the three points.

Steels finish off their league campaign with a trip to seaside on Saturday. Bridlington host Steels in a 3pm KO, with a point enough to secure a playoff spot, three points secures home advantage. The playoff semi final is scheduled to be played on Tuesday 25 April.