Richard Stirrup celebrates one of his two goals in Stocksbridge’s 2-1 win over Goole. Source: www.stocksbridgeps.com
Richard Stirrup enjoyed a dream return to Stocksbridge Park Steels after two goals in their crucial 2-1 victory at the expense of Goole.
The win keeps some distance between Stocksbridge and the Evo Stik Division One South drop zone.
The home side got off to a great.
Kler Heh’s cross caused confusion in the Goole and after Anthony Mackie failed to deal with it, Stirrup finished with ease.
Brad Grayson wasted a glorious chance to double Goole’s lead after firing wide from inside the six-yard box.
The second goal did arrive in the second half. Heh was a constant thorn in Goole’s side and the visitors’ defence and his initial cross was cleared.
The ball was hoisted forward again and was headed on by Grayson. The returning midfielder Stirrup was in the right place at the right time again and was able to knock the ball home.
Stirrup was denied his hat-trick after his long range strike was pushed away from danger by Goole goalkeeper Peter Fotko.
Goole gave themselves late hope. Ty Williams did brilliantly down the right-wing and got to the dead-ball line before pulling the ball back across the six-yard box to where Derry Robson was waiting for the simple tap-in.
The Steels managed to hang on for the precious three points.
Goole AFC manager Alan Semley:
“I think this was literally a game of two halves and one again we should have taken something from at the final whistle.
“I must take full responsibility for the way we set up tactically in the first half as under my instruction we played far too deep as a team.
“We had a 15 minute spell late in the half in which we created three or four chances and started to move the ball quicker but in reality we allowed the opposition to dictate the game and they deservedly went in at half time leading.
“The second half we changed the shape of the team with Andy Jackson brought on in a more attacking role.
“We did start with some purpose but fell to a sucker punch early on with a straight forward flick on behind our defence for the Stocksbridge player to make it 2-0.”
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Andrews, Scully, Coleman, Biggins, McFadyen, Cardman, Heh (Thompson 80), Stirrup, Garside (captain) (Laight 88), Grayson, Hoyle. Sub unused: Wilson.
Goole AFC: Futko, Mackie, Schofield, Robson, Mack, Steeple, Semley, Taylor (captain), Law (Portman 69), Tonkinson (Jackson 45), Williams. Subs unused: Snaith, Coupland, Burton.
Referee: Liam Jones
Attendance: 103
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