Bearsted keep on making history this season as they battled their way to the last 32 in the country.

The game today showcased both Leagues at their best. Their form in this competition has exceeded all expectations as they get nearer to (whisper it Wembley). They also receive £ 1125 which will help their finances.

This game had everything in it with the rain making the pitch heavier as it wore on, a great goal, & excitement right to the end of full time & extra time.

In the 3rd minute Conor Bull on his own 20 yards out saw his shot with the outside of foot beat Scott Andrews to give Steyning the dream start.

Three minutes later Cameron Croucher on the left tried his luck but from 20 yards the ball went past the far post. Seven minutes later Lucian Scarlat on edge of area went past the defender & his shot was save by Jamie Bavasco Zaragoza’s feet & in the next minute Reece Collins found himself 6 yards out & his shot was blocked by the rushing Zaragoza.

In the 19^th minute a long ball from the keeper found Maykol Sabivo who outmuscled Ryan Golding & his shot from 15 yards was saved by Scott Andrews’s feet.

Three minutes later Sabivo latched onto another long clearance but this time went into the area went round Scott Andrews but from an acute angle hit the sidenetting. In the space of two minutes Bearsted nearly got their equaliser when in the 25^th minute a Cameron Croucher low cross forced Zaragoza to push it around the post & the in the next minute Collins 10 yards out saw his shot come back of the crossbar.

In the 33^rd minute Bearsted got their deserved equaliser & what a goal it was, David Baranowski 30 yards out decided to try his luck & on the volley it flew over the keeper into the net. The rest of the half saw both side’s huff & puff.

The second half nearly started like the first for Steyning as in the 49^th minute Bull from 20 yards saw his shot tipped around the post by Scott Andrews, a minute later Steyning could or maybe should have taken the lead when a ball back into the area found Ryan Timms on his own 6 yards out but he volleyed it wide.

Bearsted after these scares suddenly upped their game & in the 58^th minute Baranowski saw his pushed out by Zaragoza but only to Collins following in but Zaragoza saved his shot. Six minutes later a free kick was flicked on by Peter Williams for James Bessey-Saldanho but he shot over the bar. In a rare attack Chris Netherway on the right got to the by-line & his low cross to the near post saw Bull under pressure shoot just past the post.

In the 72^nd minute Williams 18 yards out saw his curling effort go just past the post then with time running out Bearsted took the lead when in the 81^st minute Lucian Scarlet’s cross to the near post was met by Williams who headed in cue the celebrations.

Steyning were shell shocked but kept going trying to get the equaliser to force extra time. In the 89^th minute they got the equaliser when Sabivo’s free kick from 30 yards beat Scott Andrews but came back of the crossbar but came down for Bull rushing in & he shot home from 5 yards again cue the celebrations.

Extra time started with Bearsted on the front foot & in the first minute Scarlat went on a mazy run before seeing his shot go wide. The rest of the half saw Bearsted having most of the possession without really causing ant problems.

The second half saw Bearsted continue pushing for a winner & had chances, in the 108^th minute Scarlat running forward toward the 18 yard box fed the ball through for his brother Constantin but from 15 yards his shot was saved by Zaragoza’s legs.

In their only half chance of extra time i the 108^th minute Netherway broke clear but from 18 yards his shot went high & wide. Two minutes later & Baronowski found himself in the area & his shot was again saved by Zaragoza, Bearsted must have been worried that they weren’t going to get the winner but three minutes later it arrived when a free kick near the corner flag to the near post was met by Williams who again headed in cue more celebrations, but could they hold on this time.

As time ticked away, in the final seconds a free kick was given 25 yards out could history repeat itself, this time it flew over the bar.

The final whistle went & everyone connected to Bearsted Football Club went mad, again they keep on ripping up their own history & today they just about deserved it, now they wait to see who they get in the last 32 which could mean a trip anywhere in England.

 

BEARSTED:

1. ANDREWS   2. R.GOLDING (72)      3.  C.CROUCHER        4. A.FORSTER    5. G.ANDREWS   6. R.CROUCHER (90)  7.  J.BESSEY-SALDANHA (80) 8. J.ROGERS    9. R.COLLINS (63)     10.  D.BARANOWSKI         11. L.SCARLAT

SUBS USED:  16. P.WILLIAMS (63)  12. M.WELLER (72)  17. C.SCARLAT (84)  15. M.HATHAWAY (90)

SUBS NOT USED: 14. J.CHAMBERLAIN

BOOKINGS:  3. C.CROUCHER (22)  2. R.GOLDING (66) 6. R,CROUCHER (88)

 

STEYNING TOWN:

1. JB ZARAGOZA     R.CLARK   3.  J.MAYER        4.  J.FITZPATRICK (39)  5. R.TIMMS    6. A.GATHERM   7. M.SABIVO (90+4)  8.  Z.HAULKHAM    9. L.LEVOI      10. C.BULL     11. L.HUNTER (45)

SUBS USED:  12. D.TAYLOR (39)  14. C.NETHERWAY (45)  15. J.COCKERTON (90+4)

SUBS NOT USED:  16. J.ADAMS

BOOKINGS:  4. J.FITZPATRICK (24)  9. L.LEVOI (80)  8. Z.HAULKHAM (115)

 

REFEREE:  Mr R.BATTUE

ASSISTANTS:  Mr A.SIMMONDS  &  Mr S.SCOTT

ATTENDANCE: 181

KSN:  Man of the Match David Baronowski