Steyning Town edged into the next round of the FA trophy on their debut in the competition, with a penalty shootout away win over South Park FC after 90 minutes had ended in a stalemate nil nil draw.
A morning of heavy rain had left the lovely 3G surface at South Park in great condition and the sun came out as the Barrowmen took to the pitch in their blue away kit for the first time this season. A number of changes were made to the lineup with Malia and Killick out injured, and George Brown departing the club in the week. This resulted in Edwards dropping into the back three and Francis coming into midfield for his first start of the season. Meehan and youngster Kazlauskus played out wide with Rogers partnering Goldson up top.
The game itself was quite an entertaining affair for a nil nil draw as the two teams cancelled each other out over the course of the afternoon. Southpark probably edged overall in terms of territory and chances created. However, the best chances of the afternoon fell to the Barrowmen.
In the first period Goldson had a great chance to break the deadlock as he was played through by Alfie, Rogers one-on-one, but he thumped the bouncing ball straight into the midriff of the oncoming keeper. Minutes later, Goldson’s hard, running caused havoc in the South Park defence and a rushed clearance by the keeper fell to Francis 30 yards out on his left. His left foot shot back in over everybody came crashing back off the bar. At the other end, South Park were showing some neat to build up play, but any forays into Steyning box or half chances created were dealt with by a combination of stoic defending and good handling by Stroomberg-Clarke in goal.
The break was reached with no goals scored and Town made a change at half-time, pushing Edwards up into midfield and bringing youngster Osei in as part of the back three with Radley-Martin being sacrificed. The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides, struggling to create any chances of note. The hosts came on stronger in the last 15 minutes and look the more likely to score and they came close twice. Firstly The dependable Weller had to head over the bar from on his own goal line after a deflected shot following neat build up play. Seconds later a whipped in cross from the right, was only toe nails width away from being prodded home by the lively Johnson. Anyway, no goals and penalties it was.
Town keeper. Stroomberg-Clarke has already created quite a reputation for penalty saves in recent seasons and this day proved no different as he produced two excellent saves from the first four penalties, which meant that Town were able to progress. In fact Steyning’s four penalties were superbly converted by Rogers, Murrain, Weller and Towning, meaning that skipper Barnes was not needed on the fifth penalty.
Overall, quite a tight affair dominated by some strong, defensive performances. The wide players of Meehan and Kaslauskas worked incredibly hard up and down the flanks and the midfield battled superbly again, led by example by Barnes, and the team can be well satisfied with a promising performance, which sees them in to the hat, and a nice looking draw against Thame United at home on the 7th of September.
Line up: Stroomberg-Clarke Weller Da Costa Edwards Kazlauskas Barnes Francis Radley-Martin Rogers Goldson
Subs used: Osei Murrain Towning Harding Gratwick
Next Round we face Thame United FC on 7th September at the Birchwood (Shooting Field).
