The first semi-final of the Sussex Transport Senior Cup is set to be played on Tuesday 27 February 2024 between Steyning Town Community and Horsham.

Steyning Town Community vs. Horsham
Sussex Transport Senior Cup Semi-Final
Date: Tuesday 27 February 2024
Kick-off: 7:30pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

For Kevin Green’s Steyning Town, this season’s Sussex Transport Senior Cup run has been an exhibition in giant killings.

“It’s been a memorable season to say the least,” laughs Green as he looks back on the past few months, “with some incredible nights at our place in both The FA Cup and the Senior Cup.

“Of course, in this competition, there’s only one place to start really, and that’s our game against Brighton & Hove Albion.”

Steyning’s remarkable 2-1 win over the Albion was witnessed by 800 of their supporters and set them on a run of form that propelled them to a 5-4 win on penalties over Burgess Hill Town, following a 2-2 draw.

“Having all those supporters down at the Birchwood Ground made it such an incredible night,” said Green, “I think I’ll always remember seeing the kids chasing after Lewis Dunk when they saw he’d turned up to watch!

“It was an incredible game, and speaking afterwards I remember saying to some coaching mates that work with professional academics, that it was like watching two proper Under-23 sides going at it, the quality on display was that high.

“I thought we played really well that night, especially near the end when the fitness of the Brighton players started to kick in and play more of a factor.”

So what would Green put down as the secret to their cup successes?

“To be honest, it’s simply down to us having a really good squad this year,” he said.

“We’ve got a great bunch of lads who are, above all else, really committed to the club and committed to the way we want to play.

“95% of them are always at training, which is unbelievable, considering they’re all balancing full-time jobs, and that we’ve already played close to 50 games this season in all competitions.

“So, factor all that in, and when the big games come, these boys turn up and always look to deliver.”

Away from the cup runs, Steyning are matching their good knockout form in the Southern Combination Football League, where they currently sit in third, just a point behind leaders Newhaven.

“Our league form has definitely been something we’ve taken a lot of pride in, that's for sure,” said Green, “though saying that the cup runs have taken their toll on our standing in the table a bit (not that I’d change them for the world!)

“After those games against Maidstone and Brighton, I think coming off such big occasions did impact our focus, and we let ourselves fall into a couple of slumps afterwards.

“But now, since Christmas, we’ve been back flying and currently 14 games unbeaten and looking to continue to push on and finish as high as we can.”

To compete on so many fronts requires a deep squad, and Green is quick to laud praise on his key men.

“Overall, we’ve got such a strong side across the board, but in terms of ones who’ve really been difference makers you’ve got our captain, Jack Barnes, who's the engine room of our midfield and first name on the team sheet every week,” he said.

“Then you have the likes of Tom Chalaye, who we brought in only recently, but has been banging in the goals, and is currently on 20 in as many games for us.

“Defensively we’ve got Nathan Cooper at the back and then the likes of Harry Shooman, but to be honest I could list off the whole squad, because like I said, at one point or another, each of them has been the difference for us.”

For Green, the season is only his second at the helm of the Barrowmen, having joined from Montpellier Villa at the start of last season.

“I remember as soon as I started speaking with Steyning that it was the right club for me,” he said.

“It was a no-brainer because it’s a really big club with great facilities in a great area, so the potential for growth is massive in my opinion.

“Last year was very much a building year, in terms of consolidating the way we want to play, so the fact we’ve been able to kick on from there has been great to see.”

Of course, next up for Green’s men is another formidable test, this time in the form of free scoring Horsham, who’ve netted 14 times in the competition on the way to next week's Semi-Final.

“We know Horsham as we’ve watched them quite a few times, and we know how they’re going to play,” said Green.

“The fact that they’re two divisions above us and have a squad that reflects that, is something we have to respect. But, we’ve got a good side and have proved time and time again that we can beat teams that are above us on paper.

“The players won’t be phased by it, that's for sure, but we know that we’ll have to be at our very best to get a result.

“But you never know with these games; nobody expected us to be in the competition at this stage, so we’ll be sure to give it a real go to see if we can’t push it one step further!”

Entry prices are as follows (Cash and Card accepted):

£12.00 Adult (17+)
£8.00 Concession (66+ and students with valid student ID card)
£3.00 Child (16 and under)
Official Match Day Programme will be available online
PURCHACE TICKETS

For further details about the Sussex Transport Senior Cup please contact:

Competitions
T: 01903 753547
E: Competitions@SussexFA.com