Seaford Town FC 0 Steyning Town 2
Steyning Town secured their second SCFL Premier League title in three years on Saturday with a 2-0 away victory at Seaford FC.Going into the final day they only needed one point to secure the title however they did it in style with a comprehensive victory that was really never in doubt after they took an early lead through Harry Heath, who bundled in from close range after a deflected Joe Benn free kick.
The hosts briefly came back into the game and their best chance of the afternoon saw a shot glance off the top of the cross bar. After that their chances became very limited as Steyning started to turn the screw and to show why they were in the league position they are.
They went in one goal to the good at the break and knew that a further goal would effectively seal the title. And around the hour mark that goal came in quite some style. A corner was only half cleared and the ball looped up into the air 30 yards out. Midfielder Finn Daniels-Yeomans pounced on the ball and delivered an absolute thunder blaster dipping volley into the net. The ball travelled so fast that the sheer pace beat the keeper all ends up as the ball whistled in to the centre of the goal. Delirium. What a fitting goal to secure the title from one of the teams stand out performers.
The rest of the game was played out in the Seaford half with Town going close on a number of occasions. Jarvis was foiled by a fine save from point bank range and Plummer fired over from just a few yards out.
The last 10 minutes had a celebratory feel to it as word filtered through that Haywards Heath were also losing at Eastbourne United. The long awaited final whistle went and the supporters who have followed the team closely all season piled onto the pitch to join in the celebration and enjoy the trophy presentation from the SCFL committee.
What’s an achievement for this team. Michael Hamm, the manager started the season with only a couple of players and managed to assemble squad that unbelievably secured the title just 10 months later.
So credit must go to him, Jamie Hollis, Tim Jones, and the rest of the coaching team. The squad to a man have been sensational. Committed loyal, hard-working and playing a brand of football that saw goals galore flying in. 161 goals in all competitions is quite a staggering figure.
The way they hunted down the one time runaway leaders, Haywards Heath during the second half of the season was relentless, and pouncing ruthlessly when Heath slipped up.
They secured the title that nobody really believed was possible back in November.
New challenges await next season and the preparation will start soon, however for now the team and the club can enjoy the moment and savour coming out on top in a sensational title race. The celebrations on Saturday continued back at the club and long in to the night.
Commiserations to Haywards Heath who in most other leagues would go up as runners up, however they have to be satisfied with a place in the playoffs again.
A big congratulations to everybody at the club and next season will be sure to be another rollercoaster ride as we give the Isthmian league another crack.
Town: M Bromage, Blencowe, Docherty, T Bromage Allen Worrall Daniels-Yeomans Benn Jarvis Heath Brewer
Subs used Bridgman Plummer Rance Rawlins Honore
