Steyning Town back on top of SCFL after win at Little Common

It did not begin that way. A scrappy early goal handed the hosts an advantage, the sort that can unsettle sides with less conviction. But there was no sense of alarm from Steyning – only a response that felt measured, and increasingly inevitable.

Max Blencowe levelled with a fine volley, setting the tone for what followed. Marcus Allen and Alex Brewer then struck before the interval, the latter being a fine team goal, turning a deficit into a strong lead at the break.

If the first half was about response, the second was about control.

Steyning dictated proceedings almost entirely after the break, reducing Little Common to fleeting moments—Bromage in the Town goal called into meaningful action just once.

At the other end, Callum Dowdell extended the advantage with a low drive before Stan Bridgman added a fifth with a quality finish, capping a fine all round display from the team.

There was no urgency, no visible strain once behind – just a side settling efficiently into its work and upping their game.

The result sends the Barrowmen three points clear of Haywards Heath at the top, albeit having played a game more.

Still, with just one defeat in 24 league games the Barrowmen have climbed a mountain to close the gap at the top and can look forward to an exciting six weeks between now and the end of the season. They’ve put themselves firmly in the end-of-season mix – where it once looked like too wide a gap to close.

It was great to see Tad Bromage and Joe Benn getting substantial minutes as they both return from recent injury. A timely return to the frame.

Next up another stern test away to Midhurst FC on Saturday.

Steyning Town: Bromage, Blencowe, Bromage, Allen, Rance, Plummer, Daniels-Yeomans, Worrall, Jarvis, Brewer, Dowdell. Subs used: Heath, Hoarty, Bridgman, Benn. Not used: Honore.