Maltby Main 2-1 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Reggie Waud headed home the late winner for Maltby Main who came from behind to beat Stocksbridge Park Steels at Muglet Lane.
Scott Ruthven’s early header placed the Steels in front for a long period of time before a blast from the past in Brandon Whitfield equalised for Maltby.
With Maltby attacking downhill and Stocksbridge expectantly running out of gas, a winning goal for the Main was always more likely and prospective new signing Waud got it.
The very fact Stocksbridge stayed in the game was an achievement in itself.
The first X1 was a mixture of a few trialists plus the big guns such as Scott Ruthven, Reece Fielding, Jordan Lemon and Lewis Whitham.
Michael Trench, Luke Mangham, Joe Lumsden and stalwart captain Liam McFadyen were four of the missing key players.
Chris Hilton’s bench contained only Tom Whiting, the Lee Thompson and Thompson’s 15-year-old son Koby Eratt Thompson – who came on a late substitute to continue the ever-growing Eratt-Thompson football dynasty.
So with limited numbers on the reinforcements front and with the heat being unbearable, the second half was always literally going to be an uphill battle.
Whitham was the mastermind of Stocksbridge’s 15th minute goal.
His detailed fitness plan showed to be working as he sprinted – leaving defenders for dust – from the middle of the pitch to latch onto a punt down the right-wing.
The attacker cut inside and his shot from an angle was brilliantly saved by Hugo Warhurst.
The sun was shining on the Steels as the rebound fell nicely for Ruthven who leapt like a giddy 21-year-old to head home.
Stocksbridge would actually rue several missed chances as the first half wore on.
Nodder had a free kick tipped over the free kick, while Robert Ludlum hit the crossbar and Whitham saw a shot parried away from danger.
Jamie Austin was close to equalising for Maltby as half-time approached but goalkeeper Edd Hall got down well to save the low drive.
Maltby’s equaliser just after the hour mark was almost a remake of one of the most memorable FA Cup goals scored at Bracken Moor.
Two years ago 17-year-old debutant Whitfield jumped off the bench to score Stocksbridge’s equaliser in the eventual defeat to Irlam with his first touch.
Back in the present, the new Maltby signing converted Austin’s cross just minutes after coming on for Louis Axcell’s side as a substitute.
Maltby were now the better side and although Hall did not have much to deal to with, you could sense Main would get a big chance.
That came from a corner which saw substitute Waud, the ex-Goole AFC and Hall Road Rangers striker, stoop low and powerfully head past Hall.
The Teams
Maltby Main: Warhurst, McGowan, Smith, Marsden, Joe Austin (captain), Hill, Hardwick, Williams, Jamie Austin, Algar, Wall. Subs. Whitfield. Waud. Morton.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Hall, Lemon, Trialist, Ludlam, Fielding, Slater, Trialist, Kenyon, Whitham, Nodder, Ruthven. Subs: Whiting, Thompson, Eratt-Thompson.
Who Was In Charge
Lee Hible (7/10)
How Many Were There
75
Man of the Match
Ben Algar (Maltby Main)