The goals all came in a blistering spell at the start of a second half that Steyning dominated. The goals came from Mayckol Sabino x 2 and Liam Hunter. The pace and movement of Steyning in the second half blew Hailsham away, however the visitors did come close to securing an equaliser with a thumping header against the bar with ten minutes to play.

It had been a very different story in the first half as Town looked very out of sorts ,and even a bit jaded from previous exertions. Gritt suffered an injury in the warm up so was replaced in the starting eleven by Neatherway. The influential Timms was also absent on the day and Haulkham and Ozga were both sitting out with injuries.

Playing in to a stiff wind Hailsham had frustrated Town and given them little to build on up front. Steyning themselves hadn’t really given Hailsham many chances either, however that all changed in a great 5 minute spell for the visitors. On 26 minutes Jarvis finished neatly in to the bottom corner after an excellent knock down for a well worked goal, and minutes later Town gave away possession cheaply and experienced front man Baitup was played in and made no mistake from 10 yards, firing in high past JJ . Town were on the ropes and thoughts of a victory looked a long way away. Murphy took immediate action , reverting to 4-3-3- from 3-5-2 and before half time Town had two great chances to get back in the game. Sabino was denied when one on one , and Neatherway side footing wide from close range after a whipped cross from the left.

Half time Steyning 0 Hailsham 2

Town got the stroke of luck they needed to kickstart a comeback early in the second half as Sabinos free kick swung low in to the box and evaded everyone and found its way in to the net. The goal lifted everyone on and off the pitch and suddenly Steyning were faster to every ball, winning the 50:50 s and full of energy. Faber and Hunter were winning lots of ball. Bull in particular was finding lots of space on the ball and his direct running was causing the visitors all sorts of problems. Minutes later Town were awarded a debateable corner, which was swung in and Hunter powered home a near post header. Game on. Again Town came at Hailsham and holes were appearing all over the park and Sabino was played in and thumped home from just inside the box for a cracking team goal.

Town had chances to add more but the chances came and went. At the back Parazo was having an excellent second half alongside Gathern , Levoi and Maher. Hailsham briefly rallied but were kept at bay, and the one thumping header against the bar was their only real chance of note in the second half. Town held out comfortably for a great win and comeback against a very decent Hailsham side. A big 3 points for the Barrowmen. Full credit to Hailsham who were no doubt frustrated about the manner of the loss, and some reffing decisions that frustrated both sides, but they stuck at the task well, and came in and stuck around after which is always much appreciated.

Next up Southwick away in the league next Saturday

Town: Banasco-Zaragoza, Clark, Maher, Gathern ,Levoi, Parazo, Hunte, Faber, Bull, Neatherway (Taylor) , Sabino Subs not used : Cockerton, D. Withers, Fitzpatrick

MOM Mayckol Sabino - terrific high energy performance in the second half