Steyning stay in the chasing pack after tough Wick test

It was third against eighth at the start of the day and a crowd of 66 were entertained with an end-to-end game and no shortage of goal-mouth drama.

Wick started much the stronger with a fierce wind at their backs, forcing a succession of dangerous corners which young keeper Coles dealt with well on his debut, though one did cause a frantic goal-mouth scramble which the hosts finally cleared.

On 19 minutes Steyning took the lead. Harris slipped in Skipper, and his low pull back to the edge of the area was drilled home by Adam Burton through a crowd.

It began a good spell of play for the hosts, though at the other end Harper and Peake were causing the Steyning defence problems with their direct running at pace, Harper firing a good chance over from the penalty spot. Wick did though get level at the break when Peake stabbed home from a corner.

Steyning started the second half strongly and on 53 minutes, captain for the day Mo Shug’aa smashed home an unstoppable half volley from a throw - an early contender for goal of the season.

Harper continued to create chances for himself and his Wick team-mates, while Burton struck a post and shot straight at the keeper when played in by Shug’aa, while Finch saw a header cleared off the line.

In the final minutes Wick pushed for an equaliser, and after Finch and Webb somehow cleared off the line Coles made a cracking late save in the final minute to preserve Steyning’s three points.