It's seven wins in a row for Steyning - and they're in a cup semi-final too

At a ground that had not been a happy hunting ground in recent years, Town scored two unanswered goals.Chances for both sides were at a premium all afternoon. The two vital goals came from Joe Radley-Martin in the fifth minute, sweeping home after great work down the left by Tom Chalaye, and then from Mark Goldson in the 77th minute, cooly slotting home down the right channel after being played in by Radley-Martin.Town’s other really good chance of note was shortly before the second goal.

Goldson,after a great run down the right, crossed for Meehan at the far post, and he should have converted from an angle with defenders and goalie scrambling around on the line, however he blazed over.Crowborough had plenty of possession in the game but they only created two real chances during the afternoon and luckily for Town the woodwork saved them on both occasions.

In the first half a looping shot came back off the inside of the post to safety and early in the second half a header from close range cannoned back off the bar. Other than this the Town back four of Clark, Shooman, Da Costa and Cooper were in great form all afternoon dealing with all that was thrown at them.As the second half wore on it felt more and more like it was going to be Steyning’s day, as the midfield started to slowly win the almighty battle in the centre of the park, eventually creating the icing on the cake of Goldson’s strike.The win springs Steyning further up the league and creates a small bit of daylight between them and those below them – with Newhaven and Hassocks still in sight above them. All to play for in an exciting run in.Full credit to Crowborough for getting the game on when many others managed not to on after all the week’s rain, and being great hosts as always.Att 277

Steyning Town 3 Newhaven 1

Peter Bentley Cup QFSteyning Town moved into the semi-final of the Peter Bentley Cup with a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat cup-holders and league leaders Newhaven at the Birchwood Stadium.However, the outcome could’ve been very different if the visitors had not been so profligate in front of goal during the first half in which they were well on top.Lucas in the Steyning goal had to make a number of vital saves, including a great penalty save from Alfie Rogers midway through the half. All the visitors had to show for their dominance was a goal on the stroke of half-time as Robinson and Lucas come together leaving Maila to nod home in to an empty net.There would clearly have been some harsh words for the players from Kev Green at half-time, combined with a tactical switch which meant the Barrowmen came out with much more purpose, helped by the swirling wind being predominantly at their backs in the second half.In fact, the second-half performance was stunning as they dominated from start to finish and quite frankly the Dockers were overwhelmed and had no answer. The Town could’ve and really should’ve scored a hatful.The equaliser came from a neat Chalaye header from a corner, soon after Remfrey made it 2-1 on the night with a powerful stooping header.The icing on the cake came in the final moments as Tom Chalayes notched his 20th goal of the season for the Barrowmen. Incredible considering his season started late and this was only his 18th appearance.An incredible run lately of eight straight wins has propelled the team in to an exciting position with two cup semi-finals and a promotion race to get excited about.There are tough challenges ahead but back to back wins in four days against Crowborough and Newhaven have shown the Barrowmen are up for the fight over what promises to be a couple of exciting months coming ahead.Next up is Crawley Down Gatwick at home on Saturday at 3pm.

Peacehaven & Telscombe 1 Steyning 2

Seven wins in a row to equal the club record in senior football. Three points from the Window Workshop Sports Park for only the second time this century. And now level on points at the top of the Southern Combination Premier Division with Newhaven.

This was some Saturday for Hassocks down at Peacehaven & Telscombe, as they ran out 2-1 victors at a venue where success has traditionally been in short supply.

You had to go back to the 2011-12 campaign to find the last time the Robins defeated the Tye on their own patch - the sole Hassocks Southern Combination success in these parts between 2000 and now. Goals from Phil Gault, Nathan Miles and current head coach James Westlake secured a 3-0 win for Mickey Jewell’s side. Hassocks went onto end the season in fourth spot, the highest finish in the club’s history.

Nobody at the Beacon is publicly taking about the Class of 2024 surpassing that achievement yet - especially with five of their 10 remaining games against fellow teams in the top six. Yet at the same time, nobody expected the Robins to be kept off the top of the standings by only goal difference after 28 matches.

They were meant to have fallen away, back into mid table long ago. Consequently, Hassocks find themselves under little pressure and are thriving in their role as gatecrashes of the play-off picture.

“Whatever happens now, we’ve just got to enjoy the journey,” said assistant manager Tom Hughes after the full time whistle at Peacehaven. And enjoy it, they certainly are.