Action from the Steel City derby which Sheffield FC won 1-0
Stocksbridge Park Steels lost the Steel City derby to a freak second half goal at Bracken Moor.
Glyn Cotton’s corner flew straight in on the hour mark, earning Sheffield FC a fortunate single-goal victory in the windy Evo Stik Division One South Boxing Day battle.
The defeat was very harsh on Stocksbridge, who deserved at least a point.
Neither side were able to get into any stride as the conditions made it impossible.
A bumper of crowd of over 300 were treated to a contest with plenty of endeavour, but with limited chances.
The main first half talking points for Stocksbridge were the early departures of Richard Tootle and Scott Ruthven.
Striker Ruthven felt a pull on his hamstring again so is now facing a rest for a few weeks, while Tootle injured himself in a brutal, but fair tackle on former Steels left-back Ben Turner.
Matt Reay makes a strong challenge on Sheffield FC attacker James Gregory
Stocksbridge striker Joe Lumsden plays a pass
The opening 15 minutes of the second half contained the most exciting parts of the derby.
Stocksbridge started the stronger and Corey Gregory forced Sheffield goalkeeper Andrew Robertson into making a save down to his left.
The visitors, led by substitute Mason Warren, then caused their own problems for the Steels. Warren managed to breach the home side’s back four and went face-to-face with David Reay.
Reay won the first battle, but somehow conceded directly from Cotton’s wind-assisted corner.
With the wind becoming heavier, Stocksbridge struggled to plot a way back.
There was some late danger for Sheffield, but the home side failed to pull the trigger at the right moments.
On-loan youngster Brodie Litchfield came the closest to equalising when he made Robertson use his legs to divert his low effort out for a corner.
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton: “We had enough chances in the second half to at least get a draw.
“I don’t think we did enough to win the game, but I don’t think we deserved to lose. That how it goes. Sometimes you get a bit of luck, sometimes you don’t.
“We are disappointed in the goal as we believe our goalkeeper was grabbed with both hands which meant he couldn’t move.
“But, the referee and linesman haven’t seen it so that’s life.”
Stocksbridge Park Steels: D Reay, Tootle (Hinchliffe HT), Coleman, Meade, McFadyen (captain), M Reay, Gregory (Rhodes 77), Biggins, Ruthven (Litchfield 11), Lumsden, Poulton. Subs unused: Laight, Thompson.
Sheffield FC: Robertson, Ludlam, Turner, Glavin, Hamzat (Stevens 35), Cooksey (captain), Foster, Cotton, Igiehon, Jacobs (Warren 55), Gregory. Subs unused: Raheem, Hunt, Roney.
Referee: Chris Ward
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 319
Man of the match: Ben Turner (Sheffield FC)