North West Counties League First Division North
Steeton 2-1 Ashton Town
Jordan Townend’s 30 yard thunderbolt in the last five minutes secured a precious win for Steeton on GroundHop weekend and pushed them to the brink of safety.
Townend, who definitely will have learned how to score goals like that from his dad Johnny, saved up one of his best ever career goals for the big occasions as nearly 500 people witnessed the magic moment.
Steeton simply could not afford to lose but the victory now means third bottom Atherton LR are going to need some snookers in their final four games if they are to catch Roy Mason’s side.
The afternoon began in the worst possible fashion as Ashton’s Deklan Hill gave them a 14th minute lead.
However, Steeton eased the tension by equalising fairly quickly.
Young Toby Jeffrey scored a memorable goal himself by finding the top corner later in the first half.
Ashton hit the crossbar early on in the second half.
Midfielder Townend, a recent signing from Golcar United, was involved in drama several minutes before his goal as Ethan Van-Aston was red carded for elbowing him.
Townend responded in the best possible fashion by sending a rocket into the top corner.
His dad will have been jumping up and displaying tears of joy. Let’s hope he treats his son to a kebab this evening.
The one disappointment for Steeton was the last minute dismissal of striker Andy Briggs who probably wasn’t helping by the referee choosing to let a few tasty incidents go unpunished several minutes earlier.
The Team
Steeton: Perron, Jeffrey, Lynn, Morgan, White (captain), Townend, Subhani, McKiernon, Briggs, Price, Baldwin. Subs: Darkins, Gregson, Buttle, Snowden, Payne.