Steyning triumph in shootout to seal RUR cup progress
by Lauren Hawker
After a week away from home action, Steyning Town returned to the Peter Humphery Memorial ground for their RUR Cup clash against Pagham, looking to bounce back from Saturday’s FA Vase heartbreak. The Barrowmen had suffered a narrow exit on penalties after a goalless draw but came into this fixture buoyed by last Tuesday’s dramatic 3-2 league win over Wick, where they overturned a two-goal deficit thanks to a late spot-kick from top scorer Stan Bridgman.
Having drawn with Pagham earlier in the season, and with as many as seven players unavailable, six through injury, it’s obvious the side face another testing night under the lights. Yet despite the setbacks, Steyning approached the tie determined to show the resilience that has defined their recent performances.
The Barrowmen started brightly, immediately testing Pagham’s resolve. Within minutes, Jazz Rance had the first sight of goal for the hosts, his low drive safely gathered by visiting goalkeeper Conor Kelly. The early momentum stayed firmly, in the seventh minute, a wide ball to Evan Hoarty opened up another promising attack down the flank. His driven effort forced Kelly into a fumble before the danger was cleared, and moments later, Hoarty again found space to shoot, this time sending his effort narrowly wide.
Steyning’s pressure continued to mount. On 15 minutes, a cleverly worked free kick saw Rance play it short to Alex Brewer, whose powerful shot was tipped behind for a corner by the ever-busy Kelly. Ten minutes later, the breakthrough finally came. A late challenge inside the box handed over a penalty, and top scorer Stan Bridgman made no mistake rifling his strike into the top corner to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
From there, Steyning controlled the half with composure and confidence, their high defensive line pinning Pagham deep in their own half. As the interval approached, Bridgman came close to doubling the lead with a fierce shot that was palmed away by Kelly, before Rance followed up with another effort deflected behind for a corner.
Steyning went into the break deservedly ahead, their dominance reflected in both possession and chances, while Pagham struggled to find a foothold.
The second half began with the home side immediately pushing to extend their lead, and within four minutes Bridgman came close his effort from the edge of the box flying just over the bar as the hosts looked to pick up where they left off.
But it was the visitors who struck next. In the 55th minute, Keiran Jones levelled the score for Pagham, latching onto a sharp ball into the box before rifling it past Bromage to make it 1-1. The goal seemed to breathe life into the away side, who began to grow in confidence and push higher up the pitch.
Steyning, meanwhile, looked eager to restore their advantage. Ten minutes later, Alex Plummer threaded a through ball toward Bridgman, but it ran too heavy, the forward just unable to reach it as frustration began to build among the home ranks. In the 71st minute, the Barrowmen came close again. A free kick just outside the area offering Bridgman another chance to make his mark, but his curling strike dipped narrowly over the bar. The game began to settle into a tense, end-to-end rhythm, both sides fighting for control yet struggling to break down their opposing defences.
Bridgman again came close moments later, sending another effort high over the bar, as Steyning’s play grew increasingly urgent. At the other end, Bromage came to the rescue, pulling off a crucial save in the 78th minute to deny Pagham a late lead. Seconds later, captain Dion Jarvis found himself with a golden opportunity, but his shot too sailed over the crossbar. The final minutes were frantic, both teams rushing their passes as the pressure mounted. In stoppage time, Evan Hoarty continued to drive forward for Steyning, twice finding space to shoot first sending one effort wide, then seeing another chipped attempt deflected for a corner.
Despite a late chance for Conrad Honore, Steyning couldn’t find the breakthrough, and the match ended 1-1, sending it straight to penalties a scenario still fresh in minds after their shootout defeat in the FA Vase just days earlier.
Pagham we’re the first on the spot. Bromage guessed correctly, diving low to his left to save Pagham’s opening penalty, giving the hosts the early advantage.
From there, Steyning showed composure and confidence, converting each of their spot-kicks with precision. Pagham responded well but couldn’t recover from that early miss, their keeper unable to get a hand to any of the efforts.
It was Alex Brewer who took responsibility for the final penalty, calmly slotting it home to seal a 5–4 shootout victory and send the Barrowmen through to the next round of the RUR Cup.
