Steyning u18 girls ends successful season in second after 3-5 defeat against Hollingbury. After Steynings’ 3-1 defeat against Horsham away in April, Steyning and Hollingbury both hold 31 points at the end of the season, sending both teams into a play off for the 24/25 season title at the Steyning home ground.
Steynings captain, Bea Nunn led Steyning out into the play off, the first half delivering plenty of excitement, with both teams showing attacking intent from the start. Hollingbury struck early in the 6th minute to take a 0-1 lead, setting a tone for a defensive heavy first half for Steyning. A substitution followed in the 16th minute,Lili Alwood coming in for Reagan MacDonald. An instant impact from Lili Alwood, managing to secure a 1-1 equaliser with a header from a corner delivered by Bella Lean.
However, Hollingbury gained quick control again. In the 26th minute they went 2-1 up after capitalising on a foul from Steyning’s number 8. Their momentum continued as they extended their lead to 3-1 in the 31st minute. Hollingbury made a substitution in the 36th minute before steyning had a free kick opportunity in the 37th minute. Despite a close chance by Steyning’s Lili Alwood in the 40th minute and another attempt in the 45th minute by Steyning’s Bella Lean they couldn’t close the gap before the half time whistle, ending with a Hollingbury lead of 3-1.
The second half saw a flurry of goals, drama and determination from both sides in an entertaining continuation of an already lively encounter. Steyning started the half brightly, clawing one back in the 47th minute through Lili Alwood, scoring from yet another corner delivered by Bella Lean. But hollingbury quickly shut down hopes of a comeback. In the 49th minute they extended their lead to 2-4 and by the 59th minute they made it 2-5 with another clinical finish.
Hollingbury made another substitution in the 73rd minute, shortly after a missed chance from Steyning’s Bella Lean. Steyning, however, were not done yet. They were awarded a corner in the 79th minute taken by Bella Lean, Lili Alwood delivering a header to make it 3-5 and give her side a lifeline.
The match became more physical as time went on. In the 81st minute a collision involving Steyning’s number 14 and Hollingbury’s goalkeeper resulted in an injury, forcing both players off and bringing in an outfield player to take Hollingbury goalkeeper’s place. Steyning’s goalkeeper, Lucy Ralston was able to keep the score close by making two fine saves in quick succession in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Despite the continued pressure by Steyning and the corner saved in the 91st minute by Hollingbury’s goalkeeper, Steyning couldn’t close the gap further. A final free kick by Steyning in the 93rd minute didn’t yield results, and Hollingbury held firm to secure the 3-5 win.
Up to this game, the two teams were dead level on points, and this showed during the game both teams fought an even battle, with the game possibly going either way, and on another day it could’ve been Steyning’s.
