Recap

Steyning Town 1-1 Croydon Athletic: Croydon Athletic Held to Another League Draw

It was another away day for Croydon Athletic, following a gutting defeat in the Velocity Cup midweek. Despite the setback, there were positives to take from the performance, particularly the fact that the debutants from the previous match retained their places in the starting XI after solid individual displays.

The match started with Steyning Town almost taking an early lead. A weak headed backpass was intercepted by the home side’s striker, but his attempted lob sailed over the bar. However, it wasn’t long before the visitors found their stride and we took the lead in the 31st minute. Two of the debutants combined for the goal—Figueira danced down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross that was met by Dreher, who confidently dispatched the ball into the net.

The home side responded quickly, and goalkeeper Tangara was forced into action, making a crucial save to deny a Steyning Town effort from the edge of the box. Shortly after, Tangara showed his alertness once more, pouncing on a dangerous ball bouncing from a cross and thwarting a Steyning chance.

The second half brought a flurry of chances for both sides. Pierrick broke through the Steyning defence and surged toward the penalty box, only to be brilliantly halted by a last-ditch challenge on the edge of the six-yard box. Croydon looked to extend their lead, but Steyning Town had other ideas. They pulled level in spectacular fashion in the 68th minute when Howick picked up the ball on the halfway line, surged forward, and unleashed a thunderous strike from 40 yards out that rocketed into the top corner of the net. Tangara had no chance of stopping it — you’d need 5 goalkeepers to even got close to that strike.

The equaliser galvanised Croydon’s attack. Diallo delivered a superb cross into the box, only for it to be cleared off the line. Dotse then had a chance at the near post, but his effort was tipped over the bar by the Steyning keeper. At the other end, Tangara continued his heroics, producing a stunning full-stretch save to keep the score level when Barnes found space in the box and unleashed a powerful volley from the edge.

Croydon Athletic pushed for a winner, with Serbonij appealing for a late penalty after a challenge in the box, but the referee waved away the claims. A couple more half-chances came and went as the match drew to a close, and the final whistle blew, leaving the boys with the feeling that it was yet another two points dropped despite a very solid performance.

The draw leaves Croydon Athletic in 10th place in the league table, with work to do if they are to climb into the playoff spots. But with showings like this the team will be hopeful of picking up more points in the coming weeks.