Steyning in control as Eastbourne are swept aside by 4-0 cup victory
Report by Lauren Hawker
Match Photos here from Max Spanner.
Steyning Town returned to the Peter Humphrey Memorial Ground on Tuesday night as they faced Eastbourne in the third round of the Peter Bentley Cup. With momentum high following their thrilling 5–3 comeback victory over Forest Row at the weekend, the Barrowmen looked to continue their strong run of form and secure a place in the quarterfinals.
Captain Dion Jarvis once again led the side, as Steyning sitting second in the league came up against an Eastbourne team currently 15th and eager to upset the odds.
The hosts, however, showed early intent and confidence, determined to build on their recent performances and extend their impressive cup campaign.
Steyning wasted no time in asserting their dominance at the Peter Humphrey Memorial Ground, setting the tempo from the opening whistle in a fast-paced and physical start. An early clash of heads inside the visitors’ box briefly halted play, but both players were able to continue, and it didn’t take long for the home side to find their rhythm.
Just four minutes in, captain Dion Jarvis opened the scoring, reacting quickest after the Eastbourne goalkeeper parried the initial effort, firing home the rebound to make it 1–0. The early goal set the tone, as Steyning continued to press high and test the visitors’ back line.
Eastbourne’s keeper was soon called into action again, producing an excellent save from a dangerous corner, before Alex Plummer had a fine strike ruled out for offside. Moments later, Joe Benn looked certain to double the lead, but his effort was cleared off the line by a scrambling defender.
Steyning continued to pile on the pressure, with Jarvisat the centre of everything first threading a superb through ball to Benn, whose shot flew over the bar, then rattling the crossbar himself just minutes later. At the other end, Eastbourne offered a rare threat as their No.18 forced a sharp save from Mitch Bromage, but Steyning quickly regained control.
The hosts’ dominance was rewarded again in the 28th minute when Tegan Freeman unleashed a stunning strike from the edge of the box, curling it into the top corner to make it 2–0, a goal worthy of the occasion.
Eight minutes later, Joe Benn added a third with a powerful drive from outside the area, finding the bottom left corner and leaving the Eastbourne keeper with no chance. Steyning continued to threaten as the half drew to a close, with Jarvis and Max Blencowe both testing the keeper once more, but the score remained 3–0 at the break, a commanding first-half display from the home side.
Steyning began the second half in full control, maintaining their structure and composure as Eastbourne struggled to find a way through a well-organised defence. The visitors showed more attacking intent after the restart, but the Barrowmen’s back line stood firm.
Eastbourne came close in the 53rd minute when their No.8 sent a header narrowly wide from a well-delivered cross, before No.20 followed with another effort that also missed the target. Despite their efforts to find a foothold in the game, the visitors found little success against Steyning’s disciplined shape.
At the other end, Joe Benn continued to look lively, breaking through the defence on the hour mark before his effort struck the side netting. Steyning, already with a comfortable lead, began to slow the tempo, content to keep possession and manage the game.
A moment of frustration saw Max Blencowe shown a yellow card for a shirt pull on 75 minutes, before Eastbourne’s No.12 forced an easy save from Mitch Bromage, who remained alert between the posts.
Steyning’s composure soon paid off again as Tegan Freeman picked out a perfect pass into the box, finding Finn Daniels-Yeomans, who calmly slotted home into the bottom left corner to make it 4–0 in the 82nd minute.
A late collision between Bromage and an Eastbourne forward briefly halted play as both received treatment, but both were able to continue. The Barrowmen saw out the final minutes comfortably, closing out a confident and professional performance.
The match ended 4–0 to Steyning Town, a result that not only booked their place in the next round of the Peter Bentley Cup but also underlined their growing consistency and quality across all competitions.
PotM: Tad Bromage – with Match Secretary Dave Rowland (not a Max Spanner photo!)
