Seaford Town through in FA Vase after penalty shootout drama

After an action-packed second half, it was the home side prevailed in the end, with ‘keeper Josh Measor turning out to be the hero thanks to a sudden death save in the shootout.

While the home side looked the most comfortable throughout the majority of the first half, and game as a whole, it was the visitors who took the lead just before the ten minute mark. With Seaford unable to properly clear their lines, the ball eventually fell to Storrington forward Jordan Suter who was able to lift the ball over the keeper and into the goal, taking the lead against the run of play.

Seaford looked to hit back immediately, with both Billy Pout and Jack Langford unable to convert a series of chances from close range amidst suspicion of offside. Missed opportunities proved to be the trend of the first half for Seaford who, despite creating numerous opportunities in and around the area, could not find the equaliser they were looking for.

Almost a moment to forget for the away defense, when a low cross from the right led to a miscued clearance which hit the crossbar, so nearly gifting Seaford an equaliser.

Despite looking increasingly likely to level the scoring, half time arrived with Seaford still trailing to a Storrington side who were more than happy to see out the first 45 with their one-goal advantage. Once again, Seaford found themselves in the far-too-familiar predicament of needing to overturn a first-half deficit.

The second half began shakily for both teams; multiple decisions and altercations raising the tempo of what was a one-sided yet equally spirited fixture. Seaford were given a major helping hand ten minutes after the restart, when Taylor Stevens was given a second yellow card for a strong challenge, with the decision bringing about much discussion from both sets of players and supporters alike. Seaford couldn’t complain, however, as from the resulting free kick they equalised thanks to an instinctive follow up by Jack Langford in the 56th minute.

While both the numerical advantage and equalising goal looked certain to help Seaford’s cause going forward, once again Storrington were able to take the lead ten minutes later. A mix up at the back once again for the home side, this time allowing a free header at the back post for Suter to get his second of the game, and restore the lead for the away team.

Seaford refused to let their extra man go to waste, as they were able to level the score just 4 minutes after conceding when an inviting first-time ball from Dean Richards was finished off by substitute Jamie Buckett, making it 2-2 with twenty minutes to play.

Just like the first half, Seaford could not make the most of their chances towards the end of the game, with the final whistle meaning a penalty shootout was required to separate the two sides.

After both teams recorded 5-out-of-five from the spot, it was Seaford ‘keeper Josh Measor who turned out to be the hero for the home team, producing a save in sudden death in order to give Seaford the victory in what was an enthralling spectacle.

‘While we’d have preferred to get the result in normal time, to win on penalties in the end means even more of a confidence boost for the side,’ were the words of Seaford’s Craig Pooley after the game, with his side visibly jubilant to pick up their first victory of the new campaign.