Manager's Report from the Cleator Moor Celtic Game
By Andrew Oxley for On The Pitch West Yorkshire
Steeton returned from Cumbria empty handed after losing 5-4 to Cleator Moor Celtic in the North West Counties League First Division North.
The home side went ahead after just five minutes of the game thanks to a goal from Liam Johnston however The Chevrons levelled matters seven minutes later courtesy of Callum Meade.
On 35 minutes Celtic regained their lead as Ryan Hall put them 2-1 ahead but Steeton hit back moments before the break through a Steve Pearson goal.
Shortly after the interval the hosts went 3-2 up thanks to a goal from Leigh Dunn in front of the 107 spectators at The JBV Stadium.
The Chevrons got back on level terms soon after as Ben Clarkson made it 3-3 and shortly after the hour mark the home side were reduced to ten men as Liam Johnston was sent off.
On 67 minutes Steeton went ahead as Clarkson got his second goal of the afternoon to make it 4-3.
However the hosts hit back as Tom Mahone levelled matters from the penalty spot on 88 minutes before Darren Little hit the winning goal for Celtic in the 91st minute.
The result sees The Chevrons slip to 14th spot in the table.
Steeton Manager Roy Mason gave his views on the game to On The Pitch: "I am bitterly disappointed that we didn’t take all three points after dominating large periods of the second half.," he said.
"Our pre-match preparation wasn’t great with Joe Mason pulling out in the warm up and then we lost our other full back Elliot Scott in the first half through injury forcing a defensive re-shuffle.
"We composed ourselves after a shaky start and got our rewards with a well worked leveller after Ben Clarkson and Callum Meade combined well for Meade to get on the scoresheet.
"We switched off again to allow our hosts the regain the lead before Steve Pearson should great determination to grab a leveller."
He continued: "The second half was typical of us as we conceded early again before we were a bit fortuitous when the linesman awarded us a goal when it was unclear if the ball had crossed the line.
"Clarkson then headed us in front and it looked as if we would go on and hold on for our first win of 2019, but we pressed the self destruct button and conceded two sloppy goals in injury time to throw away a victory that looked to be in the bag.
"Individual errors are being punished on a weekly level and I can’t keep hiding behind it’s our first season at this level as that excuse isn’t washing anymore," said Mason.
"We need to be focused in all areas of the pitch and our decision making needs to be much better if we are to address the slide."
He said: "We still need a couple of new additions, but we need to bring in experience and physicality to the team and we will be stepping our search up again this week."
He added: "On a positive note new signing Jordan Veillette did very well."
Next up for Steeton is a rearranged home game with Daisy Hill on March 2nd.