Ultimately a soft near post header from a free kick deep into extra time (4 minutes left on the clock) put us out the competition in what was a terrific, hard fought cup tie, both sides doing themselves proud, playing in progressively deteriorating pitch conditions due to the relentless driving rain that just did not stop all afternoon.

The match started well enough for us. Roared on by a highly vocal 100 strong travelling Steyning contingent who'd made the 66 mile journey, on two minutes Sabino played in Connor Bull from the right who caught the ball sweetly with his right peg to hit a great shot from outside the box past the Bears keeper to bill low their net for 1-0 sending the Town hordes wild!

The goal galvanized us and Sabino and Levoi both went close to doubling our lead, in hindsight a period of the game where we could have made it very difficult for our hosts to come back from.

However the hosts came back at us with interest, getting a strong foothold in the game, and were level by the break when Grufer smashed a superb 30 yarder wide of J J, who had earlier made a couple of excellent saves.
HT 1-1

The second half went end to end with both sides exerting periods of domination and slugging it out as the god forsaken rain continued to come down.

Late on though the home side took the lead with a good strike and looked to be heading for the next round. But there was sensational drama right in the last minute as a Sabino free kick cannoned back off the Bears cross bar for Ryan Timms to follow up and bang in from close range to take the tie into extra time, again sending our superb travelling fans into rapture.

The two sides continued to chase the tie throughout extra time but it looked like a replay on Thursday at the Shooting Field was on the cards, but then that soft goal arrived to send the Bears through to Round 4 and us home disappointed.

We have done ourselves proud though and the club and players can be very satisfied with everything they have achieved on this marvelous run. Its has been memorable for everyone involved.

Gerry Murphy has assembled a superb squad of players with strength in every department.
We battle hard and play decent football in every game and are well worthy of our position at the top of SCFL Division One.

The fans on Saturday were magnificent (for both clubs) and we thank Bearsted FC for their excellent hospitality and genuinely wish them all the best for the next round and rest of the season.

Final score- Bearsted FC 3 Steyning Town 2 a e t

Town line up Zaragoza, Clark, Maher, Timms, Gathern (c) , Levoi, Fitzpatrick , Sabino, Bull, Haulkham, Hunter Subs used : Neatherway, Taylor , Cockerton Unused subs Adams (GK)

Ref Rhys Batty Assts Steve Simmonds & Scott Walsh