Steeton 1 Nelson 4: Admirals cruise into second round of Macron Cup

Nelson FC scored twice in each half to reach the second round of the Macron Cup with a 4-1 victory at Steeton, writes HARRY MANNING.

The West Yorkshire side play a level below Nelson in the North West Counties League and manager Arron Ripley rested players, including captain Billy Priestley.

Cameron Lancaster took the armband and had the first chance on Saturday, when his header thundered back off the crossbar.

The visitors continued to create openings as Andy Hill shot just wide, Alex Green's effort was saved by Bradley Emmerson and George Hutchinson's dipping shot cleared the bar.

Steeton went close themselves on 37 minutes, when McCauley Smit’s header was superbly saved by Chris Thompson.

The Admirals took the lead a minute later, when Hill's free-kick to the far post was stabbed in by Sefton Gonzales.

James Kemp shot straight at Emmerson but Nelson did add a second on the stroke of half-time, when Jamie Edwards beat the offside trap to score

Thompson saved from Steeton’s Joseph Edmonds after the break but couldn't keep out a penalty by Kevin Gonzales Mele, awarded for handball on 59 minutes.

Nelson lost Darren Holden to injury and Steeton had a chance to equalise when Edmonds shot over the top.

But Nelson controlled the latter stages and substitute Luke Hepple converted James Kemp's cross to make it 3-1 on 77 minutes.

The same players combined for Hepple's second nine minutes later and Nelson will travel to another first division north side, Holker Old Boys, in the second round on October 24.

A bumper crowd is expected this Saturday as Nelson host leaders Droylsden in a battle of the premier division's top two, with one point separating the sides.