In what was one of their most all-round entertaining matches of the season The Barrowmen were in scintillating form at times against their higher placed opponents who are locked in a 3 horse race for 3rd place and promotion.

Back into the side came Callum Towse and Alfie Gritt in place of the unavailable Kerry Parsons and Jack Boxall. Craig Knowles returned on the bench with Paul Kennett also unavailable and Mo Shug'ga still suspended. Ash Finch had the captains armband for the day.

So, at a chilly Shooting Field in front of a healthy Easter crowd the match started with the visitors applying the early pressure with forwards Scott Taylor and Elliott Wood giving our defence plenty of 'food for thought'. But we stood up well to them with some strong tackles going in, in particularly from Rob Hare and Ash Finch.

On 15 minutes though, and well against the run of play, Lee Early curled a good ball down to Chad Milner on the left who looked to run out of space. However after a neat one-two with the corner flag he accelerated away from two defenders, cut into the visitors' box to hit a tight-angled shot under AFC keeper Tom Bradford to find the far side of the net and give us the lead. 1-0 Town!

The goal visibly gave us confidence and we continued to pass the ball around nicely and create chances. Alfie Gritt went close shooting just wide, and Rob Hare struck their left-hand upright with a nice shot from the edge of the box.

AFC however pressed hard for an equalizer and really should have done on the half hour when Wood shot weakly at Aaron Jeal when left unmarked right in front of goal.

Our defence coped well under pressure with back in the side Callum Towse putting in a very good shift and impressing on his move to centre back.
The 'end-to-play' made for great entertainment and more chances came our way with Matt Dodd heading just over and Kris Harding with a delightful lob coming back off the post.

Just before the break all credit to Aaron for keeping out Scott Taylor, which would have been a lousy time to let them back in. Half time - Steyning 1 AFC Uckfield 0 and time for the crowd to catch their breath.

The high tempo continued in the second-half with us looking to extend our lead and the visitors vigorously pursuing an equalizer.
The defence worked well in shutting down AFC forwards Wood, Taylor and Sam Ellis when in dangerous positions and up front we continued to press. On 60 minutes Lewis Levoi shot at the keeper after Gritt and Harding had combined well and shortly after a Milner free-kick dipped just over the bar.

Then on 67 minutes, Harding won the ball about half-way inside the visitors half, holding the ball up well, he laid it back to Levoi who played in Alfie Gritt, who broke into the box, kept his cool, rounded the advancing keeper and slotted home to double our lead. 2-0 Town!!

That second goal really ramped us up with some great running from Milner and Early and everyone combining well. Soon after a good lobbed effort from Harding seemed destined for the net but was hooked clear by a covering defend in acrobatic style right under the crossbar.

With ten minutes left on the clock, a decent throw-in on the left from Levoi found Harding at the near post who flicked the ball neatly past Bradford to really seal the victory. 3-0!!

Shortly after that Harding was replaced by Craig Knowles who showed some nifty footwork and set up Milner who narrowly missed a possible fourth.

Levoi and Milner also both went close again in the final minutes and at this stage AFC Uckfield heads were well and truly down and it was us who looked likely to increase the lead.

The final whistle was greeted with a cheer and very warm, heart felt applause by a very content home crowd.

Result - Steyning 3 AFC Uckfield 0

A really entertaining match and a super all round team performance and against a promotion chasing! Well done one and all!!

Next up - 7.45pm Tuesday 7 April - Local derby home to Storrington

Town line-up Jeal, Hare, Pickup, Finch (capt), Towse, Dodd, Early, Gritt, Harding (Knowles), Levoi, Chad Milner Subs not used - Bukleb, Kilner-Brown