COUGAR Park may have finished hosting rugby league for another year, but football is proving a popular substitute.

That is the view of Steeton manager Roy Mason, who says his side is settling in nicely to its new surroundings at the home of Keighley Cougars.

So far this season the Chevrons have won three, drawn one and lost one at their new home.

After a 6-4 win at St Helens Town in their latest Hallmark Security League Division One North clash, Mason's side now have a break from league action with three successive home cup matches.

They host Bacup Borough in the First Division Cup second round on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), followed by a West Riding County Cup first round clash with Thackley (7.45pm) on Wednesday, October 10.

This triple header will be rounded off by an FA Vase first round tie against Avro on Saturday, October 13 (3pm).

Mason said: "It's important for us to continue to grow our fanbase. We want to involve more schools.

"We are getting decent crowds, especially in midweek.

"We are pleasantly surprised with how it's been going at Cougar Park. We have not had any crowds that have been less than three figures there this season, which is good at this level. It's encouraging.

"Cougar Park needs to be used as a venue 12 months of the year. It is a good opportunity with football to watch a good level of sport down there. We can get bigger crowds. The players are loving it as well.

"Playing there is raising the players' game as well. Cougar Park is potentially attractive to new players and it will make playing for Steeton a more attractive prospect too.

"It's pleasing that we have a home tie in the FA Vase."

Mason added he was pleased with his side's side to the season, which saw them move up to fifth place following Saturday's 10-goal thriller.

He said: "It's gone OK so far. We have had a couple of good results and had a couple of disappointing results.

"I am very pleased with the performances that the team has put in.

"If somebody had told me at the start of the season that we'd be in fifth place at this stage, I would have snapped their hand off."