Horsham YMCA beat Roffey to reach cup final – Steyning Town are third after win at Pagham

Despite 5 first half corners, Roffey trailed by the single goal at the break after Jamie Taylor had given YM the lead with a good finish on the half hour mark.

The second half began with both sides creating chances, until Luke Roberts doubled YM’s lead with a well taken goal in the 81st minute. Roffey’s Ricardo Fernandes came close and Devon Fender tested Aaron Jeal in the YM goal, but Taylor scored again – with a high curler – deep into injury time, sealing YM’s 3-nil victory

Happy YM Assistant Manager Andy Howard told the County Times: “Everyone put in a great shift and we deserved to win, but Roffey are a good side, so we’re pleased to have got through.”

Disappointed Roffey Manager Jack Munday said: “We’re having a good season but have lost a bit of confidence after our narrow defeat in the FA Vase, but we’re working hard to get back on track.”

On Saturday YM travel to bottom club Saltdean, while Roffey go to Alfold next Tuesday.

- MARTIN READ

Pagham 1 Steyning Town 3

SCFL premierSteyning Town made it nine games unbeaten and four wins in a row as they snuck into third place in the table with a late, late win at Pagham on Tuesday night.Full credit to the hosts for getting the game on – the pitch was in reasonable condition if not a bit heavy. However, the game was played in driving wind and rain with the wind blowing from one corner to another, making decent football in short supply.Town played with the wind at their backs in the first half and had an early breakthrough as Lloyd Francis went on a dinking run from the right cutting in and beating the keeper with a low shot that took a deflection into the corner of the net.Town continued their fast start and missed a number of chances to extend their lead as Goldson and Chalaye both had good chances. As the half wore on the hosts came back into the game and there was a big let off as a piledriver from 40 yards came back off the Steyning post.

As half-time approached, Pagham were knocking hard on the door more and more, and missed a few good chances before a free kick on the stroke of half-time eluded Lucas in the Town goal and he could only get a hand to it as a ball looped over him and into the net.The second half was a really scrappy affair with neither side really able to create chances of a bit of a slog in the middle of the pitch.

Town were really struggling to break down the Pagham regard, and likewise, Da Costa, Cooper, Clark and Shooman were in resilient form at the back for Town.

However, this squad has strength in depth and the substitutions off the bench made all the difference as substitutes Meehan and Rance gave fresh legs up top. Town were suddenly looking dangerous again and Rance put in a great deep cross that caused a header to be cleared off the line and shortly after Meehan crossed for Francis to volley just wide.However Town we’re not to be denied and in the final minute Meehan latched on to a beautiful through ball, raced pass a defender and slotted home a winner. Jubilation in the rain.There was still time for another goal as Rance escaped down the left flank, cutting in and finished low in to the bottom corner with a crisp finish. 3-1 to Town; an almighty battle and a big challenge ticked off. The scoreline may have flattered the team a bit but they showed real resolve by digging in and grinding out to win at a really tough place to go.Next up is an away league game on Saturday with Lingfield FC, to be played at Horley FC.

Eastbourne Utd 3 AFC Uckfield Tn 1

SCFL premier

After the freezing cold of Saturday, when United overcame Midhurst, it was the wind and rain that took centre stage at the Oval on Tuesday night.

The weather was a leveller between relegation threatened Uckfield and play-off chasing United, with the Oval pitch surviving two pitch inspections before the match was given the go-ahead.

Uckfield got the choice of ends and made the best of the wind at their backs, testing James Broadbent in the tenth minute before taking the lead on 19 minutes.

United were shocked into action, and within four minutes a fierce Ed Radcliffe shot slammed the upright, the ball falling to Hayden Beaconsfield to slam home.

The battle became attritional and on the stroke of half-time Sam Cooper got a yellow. United enjoyed the conditions in the second half and rained the ball onto the Uckfield goal, the keeper saving well from Beaconsfield just after the re-start.

United piled pressure on, and from a 66th minute corner, Sam Cooper bent it straight in to make it 2-1. From then on it was one way traffic, as Callum Barlow and Beaconsfield both went close, with Radcliffe opening up the defence time after time.

Brett Patton had a good night in the centre of the action, and on 74 minutes Callum Barlow turned on the edge of the box and drove home to make it 3-1.

Late on George Olulode made a cameo appearance to the delight of the Oval faithful after more than a month out injured. 3-1 on the night, and United up into fifth and the all-important play-off places.

Saturday sees United travel to Newhaven, the current league leaders.