Steyning Town - Peter Bentley Cup

After the success at Whitstable and the good run of results, not to mention the good performances, this game under the moon at Steyning Town was a bit of dampener. The hosts were always going to provide a stiff test for a much changed Lingers lineup as players are given game time ahead of two important league games. Steyning Town have won all five league games played so far, won comfortably in the Vase and went as far as the second preliminary round in the FA Cup.

After some early sparring, Steyning Town took the lead with a fine shot from the right-hand edge of our box on 7 mins. Having taken the lead, it was all Steyning Town for much of the first half as our lads were just a little off the pace. Webb-Olly made a good save on 15mins and Branton cleared the follow up covering back on the line. It was down to Webb-Olly again on 23mins, coming out to close down a breaking player. However, there was nothing he could do as Steyning came forward on the right and fired a shot across into the far corner on 26mins for 2-0.
The first chance for The Lingers came on 33mins with a free kick centrally inside the D. From that position a shot was the best option but Dickinson pulled it wide of the left-hand post. Minutes later Steyning had a shot hit the bar and then the rebound was blazed over. Another shot was wide shortly after but on 40mins it was 3-0. In added time we won a free on the right-hand corner of their box which Robinson-Davids curled around the wall but past the post.

Three changes were made at half-time and the lads made a good start to the second half. Webb-Olly made another good save on 52mins but a minute later Green had a coming together that resulted in a Steyning penalty. The penalty was well struck and it was 4-0. Steyning hit the bar on 14mins but the first chance of the second half for us came when Simpson crossed into the box but Brown could not hit the target. There was now a good spell for us with Wetton breaking clear but shooting over the bar. Asante then hit the post with a shot but on the rebound Wetton could not beat keeper. On 69mins a free kick from the left resulted in penalty won by Wetton, who then stepped up to fire it past the keeper. Wetton had another shot saved on 77mins and on 88mins we had a let off when a cross looped onto the far post and clear. But a minute later it was 5-1 to Steyning. Dickinson had a shot in added time but it was not our night.