‘Able to build relationships’ – Steyning Town boss O’Neill says settled team is bringing results

The Barrowmen struggled for form early in their return to the Isthmian South East – but they are now up to 15th.

The Barrowmen won only one of their first five – but after a run of four straight league losses, they’ve won three of their past four – most recently Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Horley courtesy of Leo Ginger and Charlie Pitcher’s goals.

O’Neill said: “The season so far has been really positive, although frustrating at times. Through August and September, up to the start of October, we had a lot of injuries and players away.

"We had no real continuity within any unit, but since we’ve been able to build relationships over the past six or seven weeks, things have started to come together.

"We’ve started to see some results, which is a reflection of the hard work the boys have been putting in. So it’s been difficult at times but we’ve managed to make it work and we’ve put a good group together.”

O’Neill said the highlights so far had been two down-to-the-wire wins. "One was at home to Faversham – we were 2-0 up, then it was 2-2 and we scored to make it 3-2 in the 90th minute, which was amazing.

"And then Herne Bay away, we were 2-0 up, it went to 3-3 and we scored with the last kick to win it. Those have probably been our best two wins.

"In terms of performances, our first away, away to Eastbourne Town, it wasn’t the nicest or the prettiest, but to get a clean sheet and defend the goal and our lead was excellent.

"Saturday’s win versus Horley was frustrating because we got caught up in a game that suited them. We started really well but got sucked into it.

"We had to work hard on Saturday and knew we would have to – Horley are fighting for every point, they’re fighting every battle so it was important we matched that.

"The squad is looking really good now. We’ve had a lot of injuries and suspensions but Saturday I think we only have one injury and one suspension so we have 16 players to choose from which is nice – against Horley last weekend we only had 13 available.

"We have a couple of additions coming in this week and hopefully they will boost us over the next eight weeks. But to come out of seven weeks of Saturday-Tuesday games and be where we are, we’re really positive.

“We can recover properly between games now from Saturday to Saturday so that’s positive and hopefully we’ll see a reflection of that in how we play and in getting more points on the board.”

O’Neill’s men visit leaders Hastings on Saturday – the Pilot Field men are second in the table although have lost their past three home games.