Steeple Morden look in good shape

Steeple Morden 3

Fowlmere Metals 1

STEEPLE MORDEN maintained their unbeaten pre-season with a hard- fought victory over a strong Fowlmere Sunday side.

The visitors started the strongest and dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes, although Paul Hutley and Laurence Harrison were solid at the heart of the Steeple defence.

With prompting from new skipper Dom Holt, Steeple began to threaten and as a result they took the lead after 20 minutes, with young Jack Tidey delivering a superb corner into the path of Harrison, who made no mistake from close range.

The lead was soon doubled when Martin Donald cut in from the right, and with the visiting keeper failing to hold on to the ball, Ben Holt reacted quickest to slide the ball over the line.

However, as Steeple began to dominate, Metals broke away and scored a great volleyed goal.

The second half was more even, with chances at both ends, with veteran Steeple keeper Tim Tidey called into action by making two fine saves to keep the hosts in front.

In the final stages, Steeple looked strong, and wrapped up the victory when assistant manager Karl Parr split the visitors' defence, with Martyn Lees calmly finishing from 15 yards.

Steeple almost extended their lead when Dom Holt just missed the target after a flowing move and a clever back heel from Charlie Prothero.

Steeple manager Kenny Watters said: "We showed good fitness levels which is what pre-season is all about, but it was great to get a victory against a side which had some quality players.

"It was good to see some of our youngsters in a competitive game, and I also got to look at some players in different positions, and try a few things out."

Steeple Morden: T Tidey; Hutley, Harrison, M Holt, Donald; B Holt, Prothero, D Holt, Oxenford; Lees, Parr. (Subs): J Tidey, J Watters, Pollard.