VIDEO: Hamm takes pride as Steyning Town exit FA Cup at Tonbridge
Steyning Town have enjoyed a wonderful FA Cup adventure – and have done Sussex football proud. However, National South Tonbridge Angels turned the screw last night to run out 6-1 winners in the sides’ second qualifying round replay in Kent.
The Barrowmen had already taken down Badshot Lea, Hendon and Lancing before drawing Tonbridge at home. The club have made a cool £5,900 in prize money, a decent return for a county league outfit.
There were limbs at the Shooting Field on Saturday as Dion Jarvis fired home an 88th minute equaliser taking the tie back to Tonbridge.
On a cool, calm, dry Tuesday evening, the weather was perfect as was the Tonbridge 3G surface. Angels were keen to stamp their authority on proceedings and were two up before Steyning had really drawn breath. A third late in the half effectively killed the tie.
Finn Daniels Yeoman produced the finest Steyning moment as he slammed home a consolation goal early in the second half, sending the young Steyning fans behind the goal into raptures. It was fleeting respite as Tonbridge calmly scored another three second half goals for comfortable progression into the next round.
Steyning boss Michael Hamm said: “I am over the moon with the efforts of my players. In hindsight we should have taken them at our place on Saturday, that was our real chance.
"Tonbridge's quality shone through this evening but we weren't helped by availability and injuries.'
Asked about what’s next for the Barrowmen he said: “We play Lewisham in the FA Vase on Saturday. It will be a tough game but we will dust down and prepare well!.”
Huge congratulations go to Steyning on their 25/26 Cup adventure. Now they can take heart from it as they work towards their goal of climbing back into the Isthmian League.
Colin Bowman is following Sussex non-league sides on their travels all season … read more of his pieces on this website and in Sussex Newspapers titles as the campaign goes on