A real 6 goal thriller.
If any of you who are reading this had also read an earlier post on the club's website about abandoning the wife and the Champions League and getting down to see real football at the Community Stadium, but decided to ignore that advice, then you missed out on a real cracker.
This match showed why clubs and players at this level deserve your support more than the large flat screen does in the corner of the lounge. For over 120 minutes the match was full of skill, mistakes, a high number of young players showing their potential and a huge amount of honest endeavour from each team, who both displayed a remarkable never-say-die attitude throughout.
The away side seemed to play above the level they must play at normally, whilst the Crows, who made wholesale changes from their normal starting line-up, made plenty of errors in the first half but raised their game significantly after the break and in the extra time period to eventually get the result going in their favour.
The home side gave a night off to skipper Jason Barton and leading scorer, Scott Treleaven, whilst Trotter, Waterman and Funnell dropped to the bench. Ademiluyi was unavailable and Tear, Clarke and Ransome were not fit for selection due to injury.
In came Charlton, Morrison, Steadman and Mwambakale from the start and Hinkson moved from his full back position to a wide midfield slot from the kick off, therefore, apart from there being a lot of changes, the shape of the side also changed and it was evident in the early stages that everyone seemed a bit nervous and apprehensive about their individual roles.
However, there's no point having a squad or youth players if you are never going to give them game time or allow them to get some experience and the opportunity to play and show what they can do in fixtures such as this Sussex FA Principal RUR Charity Cup tie.
The Crows went on the front foot from the off but after only 5 minutes found themselves 1-0 down as defensive frailties, something which bugged the home side throughout the first 45 minutes, allowed a cross to reach the head of Steyning's number eight, Dodd, who was able to head in to an empty net as Hampson, in the Crow's goal, misjudged the flight of a cross.
It's understandable to a point that the team would appear to be at sixes and sevens early on but the players on the pitch are then responsible for sorting themselves out, making sure mistakes aren't replicated but when you have young players, six of last season's U18 side started this match, then that sometimes takes longer than it would with more experienced players.
It could have been worse for the Crows after 11 minutes when Boddy missed a header from a long drop kick from the Steyning goalkeeper, Jeal, but Hampson made a great save to prevent the forward from scoring.
Crows had chances to score themselves, Ridley hit the post with a header from a Damarli Morrison cross and Morgan Steadman hit a tremendous drive goal wards, only for Jeal to pull off a great save and deflect the ball for a corner.
Throughout the first half the Crows were susceptible to the long ball, either straight down the middle or from crosses from either flank and from one of these crosses the home side went 2-0 down after 25 minutes. Levoi was allowed a free header from six yards out and even though Hampson made a terrific save, the ball rebounded to Levoi who was able to put the ball in the back of the net so now the Crows had a mountain to climb.
Ridley, who was probably the home sides biggest threat in the first half put another header just wide and had a shot saved by their 'keeper before, after 33 minutes, Hinkson had to go off injured and to be replaced by Waterman, who from the moment he came on, brought a bit of calmness as well as energy to the Crows play.
Half time was reached with the visitors deserving their 2-0 lead because they had taken two of the three clear cut chances they'd created whilst the Crows had wasted all theirs. It was evident that our players would be disappointed with their performance and would be getting a strong talking to from the management as they had not performed so far to the level we all know and hope they can play to.
In these circumstances the next goal is crucial and in the 46th minute, Khalid Mwambakale poked the ball into the back of the net from some 12 yards out, much to the surprise of the Steyning goalkeeper, thus the home side were back in the game, even if they were still 2-1 down.
The match mainly became one of attack versus defence now, with Steyning relying on their counter-attacking abilities and although they still looked a threat, it was more likely the Crows would score next and that's what happened as Steadman fired the ball across 'keeper Jeal from 18 yards out and 2-1 down became a 2-2 draw after 63 minutes.
Waterman, Steadman and Ridley all had great chances to win the game in normal time but they were wasted and one wondered if these missed chances would come back to haunt us. In fact, Steyning did have a couple of good chances before full time but Kristian Harding, who had come on for Boxall in the 70th minute, could not take advantage of them.
Funnell replaced the tiring Mwambakale after 71 minutes and Carrington, returning after ten months out, replaced Steadman in the 80th minute as the home side tried to win the game in normal time but neither side managed another goal, so 2-2 it was and 30 minutes of extra time loomed in front of the players.
It was clear that Steyning were now starting to tire and the more youthful players in the Crows side sensed that they should be able to take advantage of this extra energy.
After 95 minutes Cameron was booked for pulling the shirt of a Steyning player and 3 minutes later Carrington turned his marker in the penalty area and was brought down for a clear cut penalty, duly awarded by referee Phil Surliss.
You can argue that after 10 months out, was it correct for Carrington to take the penalty himself, however, once a forward, always a forward and although it was well hit, 'keeper Jeal pulled off a great save to keep the score at 2-2.
In the 100th minute it did become 3-2 and the Crows had the lead for the first time, Charlton scoring with a great volley from the edge of the area after Morrison and Funnell had done well in the area following a Rich free kick. The away side felt there was a foul by Morrison when he went up for the initial cross but referee Surliss waved away their protestations, booking 'keeper Jeal in the process for kicking the ball away, and the goal stood.
The game became very stretched now as defenders from both sides launched the ball forward at every opportunity, mainly through tiredness one would guess and Butler picked up a booking for a rash tackle in the 107th minute.
The second period of extra time started, both teams having half chances to score but after 110 minutes Morrison latched on to a through ball and despite having three defenders around him, he managed to get to the edge of the area and score with a delightful chip, over the 'keeper and the ball hit the back of the net to the joy and relief of all the Crow's players and their supporters.
In the end, 4-2 to the Crows was the correct result and a much changed youthful home side had overcome a side who put in a monumental effort for the whole 120 minutes which belied their current position and standing in Division 2 of the Sussex County Football League and should stand them in good stead for the rest of their season. Just as the experience will stand our young players in good stead as they progress hopefully to a more regular position within the first team squad