After a slow start to the season, Staveley turned the corner in recent weeks and started to build some form having won three of their last four games.
But attention turned away from the league as the Trojans welcomed Athersley Recreation to the Elastic FM Community Stadium in the second round of the NCEL League Cup.
Despite being in the same division, this is the first time the two sides met this season with Athersley sat at the bottom of the NCEL Premier League with just one win all season.
Brett Marshall made three changes to his side with Rio Alberry, Charlie Oglesby and Tomas Poole making a return to the line-up, Luke Chadwick, George Wilkinson and Marley Grant the players to miss out.
The hosts hit the ground running from the start, Brandon Webster getting the ball on the left hand-side, his cross met by Sam Kay and forced a save out of Ellis Pickard early on.
This happened to be game plan for Staveley as Webster were the target of a long ball from Mitchell Langton, this time the cross just narrowly missing Poole's late run into the box.
Staveley's pressure eventually found a way through, Rob Worrall was fouled on the edge of the box with three players around him, the resulting free-kick was floated over the wall by Poole for his eighth goal of the season.
The lead didn't stop Staveley's momentum as they continued to create chances up until half-time, Worrall and Poole combining for Poole to double the hosts lead, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
The half-time break would come at the right time for Athersley who struggled to create many chances of their own in the first half.
This continued into the second half with the Trojans defence putting in a strong performance that left Alberry with little to do and with the majority of efforts being limited to long range.
Staveley's top goal scorer Declan Howe continued to make his presence felt, creating a number of chances that he struggled to convert.
His determination did eventually pay off though, on 75 minutes, he ran through on goal and chipped the ball over Pickard, before doing the same to Harry Wilkinson and finally putting it into the empty goal to double Staveley's lead.
It would appear that the second goal for Staveley sparked a comeback from the visitors as they started to pile on the pressure in search of a goal of their own. Their best effort coming in the final moments from around 20 yards out, the free-kick sailing over the bar.
An excellent team performance topped up with a much needed win will see Staveley in the hat for the 3rd round of the cup with attention turning back to the league on Saturday as they welcome 2nd placed Eccleshill United to the Elastic FM Community Stadium.
Comments