This match was perfectly poised as the two teams had been slugging it out all year, with the title race going down to the final weekend of the season.
In the early stages there was little to choose between them, however Steyning capitalized on two Cranleigh mistakes in a relatively short space of time to lead 2-0 midway through the first half. Cranleigh had their chances but having hit the post and had a Camron Lawson goal disallowed for offside, you had to wonder whether their luck had deserted them. The situation was made worse just after the break, when another slip up led to a third Steyning goal, just minutes after the re-start. Cranleigh dug deep however and drew on the form that had got them within a whisker of the League title. A well struck Isaac Collins free kick saw full back Luca Ellis power home the rebound and with 20 minutes to go, it was game on. Good work down the right from Dan Pearce and Ryan Taiani moments later, saw captain Harry Nicholas power home a header and the dream comeback looked well and truly on!
Unfortunately however it wasn’t to be. Despite an enthralling last 15 minutes with wave after wave of Cranleigh attacks, a resilient Steyning defence held out to claim their second silverware of the season. Whilst there was obvious disappointment in the Cranleigh camp, everyone acknowledged that they’d made huge strides throughout the season, on and off the field.
Squad – Dan Laws, Archie Freeth, Ed Culverwell, James Hughes, Luca Ellis, Rauri Stancombe, Matt Sargeant, Isaac Collins, Toby Hurman, Harry Nicholas (capt), Cam Lawson, Ryan Taiani, Dan Pearce, Archie Tunnell, Jack Burr. Coaches Dave Nicholas, Doug Hughes, Gavin Hurman
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