EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 3, STORRINGTON 1

SKIPPER Stuart Hardy grabbed a second half hat-trick as Wasps secured a fourth place finish in County League Division Two on Monday.
It was the midfielder’s second hat-trick in successive home games and ensured he finished joint top-scorer at East Court on 17 with James Hylton.
After a non-event of a first half, when neither keeper was called into serious action, Wasps stepped up a gear after the break and went ahead with a cracking goal on 53 minutes from Kevin Wright. The wideman beat two defenders on the left before firing a powerful right-foot shot past Storrington keeper Kerry Harding from 20 yards. Two minutes later Hardy made it 2-0, firing into the bottom corner from 25 yards as the visitors’ defence backed off. It looked like game over at that stage, but when Andy Rabbetts slipped in the 63rd minute Luke Baker pulled one back when he shot past Scott Kenward. But two more goals in the last ten minutes secured a 19th league win of the season for Grinstead.
Phil Thompson threaded a pass into Hardy’s path on 80 minutes and he clipped the ball beyond Harding before Wright turned provider two minutes later when he found Hardy some 15 yards from goal and the midfielder turned to guide his shot over Harding into the top corner. Manager Bob Smith said:
“We were very lacklustre in the first half, but we got going after the break and won comfortably in the end. It was nice to finish strongly, fourth place is the least we deserved after the season we’ve had.”

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond, Rabbetts, Woolley, Wright, Garrett (sub: Stonley 60), Hardy, Hillen (sub: Alexander 75), Thompson, Gualtieri (Burns 75), Hylton.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 3, SHOREHAM 0

A HAT-TRICK from Stuart Hardy secured a comfortable win over a poor Shoreham outfit at East Court on Tuesday. Only some brilliant goalkeeping by Shoreham's Terry Fox and some profligate Grinstead finishing prevented the home side from recording a more emphatic victory.
Midfielders Steve Greig and Dave Gellatly rested slight knocks while striker James Hylton was unavailable so manager Bob Smith brought in Mark Hillen and Andy Stonley to midfield. Stonley, who started the season with Wasps before joining East Grinstead United, performed well on a night where goalkeeper Scott Kenward had to make just two meaningful saves. Two of Hardy's goals were penalties, the first coming after 12 minutes when Fox brought down Kevin Wright as he tried to go round him. The keeper was booked and then Hardy sent him the wrong way from the spot. Shoreham's creaky offside trap was exposed throughout and Hardy raced onto Scott Woolley's long pass to comfortably fire in the second six minutes later. Apart from two efforts by Ben Boiling which were off target, Shoreham spent most of the time on the defensive but before the break Hardy squandered two more opportunities, once when clean through and then when he fired at the keeper from close range. A needless foul inside the box on Woolley by Chris Storer on 55 minutes did allow him to complete his hat-trick from the spot and after that it was simply a catalogue of missed chances for Grinstead with sub Ben Alexander twice denied by Fox when put clean through before Keith Bradshaw and Stonley brought excellent late saves out of the overworked keeper.

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond, Woolley, Bradshaw, Wright, Garrett (sub: Alexander 56), Stonley, Hillen (sub: White 65), Hardy, Whale, Gualtieri. Unused sub: Rabbetts.

OAKWOOD 1, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 1

I THINK it's called the Oakwood curse and it struck again on Wednesday night as Wasps were denied three precious points despite creating a host of chances.
The home side seriously threatened Scott Kenward on just two occasions and both were as a result of lapses in concentration. Unfortunately they punished us the second time on 47 minutes when Jamie Hobbs steered a close range header into the bottom corner after Nunes had found him unmarked with a cross from the left. We certainly struggled for 15 minutes at the start of the second half, but just when it looked as if it was going to be another frustrating night Dave Garrett and Ben Burns combined to give Stuart Hardy the chance to equalise with a powrful shot from ten yards which almost took the net off it's moorings. Dave and Keith Bradshaw both saw headers cleared off the line after that, but if anything it was the catalogue of first half misses which ultimately were to prove so costly. Steve Moore managed to clear off the line in the 11th minute when Richard Whale rounded the keeper but couldn't quite get enough power into his shot before Ben couldn't quite force the ball over the line after Michael Onions had parried a volley from Stuart. Steve Greig hit the underside of the bar from close range and Dave's shot drifted wide of the far post after he had broken clear just before half-time. It was one of those nights and while we still search for our first league win at Oakwood since 1986, we did manage to pick up a point there for the first time in 13 years which is some cause for celebration I suppose.

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond, Woolley, Hardy, Bradshaw, Gellatly, Garrett, Wright, Whale, Burns (sub: Hylton 80), Greig (sub: Gualtieri 71). Unused sub: Moseley.

BOSHAM 0, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4

With top scorer James Hylton unavailable, Burns and Richard Whale were partnered in attack for the second game and both managed to get on the scoresheet after Bosham had gone close in the seventh minute when Michael Rees fired wide at the far post after goalkeeper Scott Kenward had dropped a cross. Moments later Bosham keeper Pat Robinson managed to backtrack and paw the ball to safety after Greig's long range effort had caught him off his line before the visitors went ahead with a superb goal in the 14th minute. Whale got the ball from Keith Bradshaw's throw-in, turned and then curled a superb right-foot shot beyond Robinson and into the bottom corner, his second goal in as many games for his new club. A minute later Wasps doubled their lead. Greig found Kevin Wright on the left and he beat two defenders before crossing to Whale. The big striker laid it into Burns' path and he volleyed past Robinson. Dave Gellatly struck the post after 24 minutes following good work by Dave Garrett, but seconds later Grinstead went 3-0 ahead. Garrett's cross was only half-cleared and Gellatly struck a volley inside the post. The contest was good as over in the 40th minute when Grinstead went 4-0 ahead. Gellatly was the creator, beating three men on the right before squaring to Burns who tapped in. Robinson parried Whale's shot to safety on the stroke of half-time and apart from a couple of scares when Greig and then Gellatly cleared Huw Howden shots off the line, Wasps were able to cruise comfortably through the second half. Smith even made his first appearance of the season in injury time, coming on as a substitute to play up front. Sadly the boss didn't even touch the ball.

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond (sub: Gualtieri 63), Woolley, Bradshaw, Hardy, Garrett (sub: Moseley 72), Wright, Gellatly, Greig, Burns (sub: Smith 90), Whale.

CRAWLEY DOWN 1, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 0

A BATTLING performance by the home side eased their relegation worries while dealing Wasps' promotion hopes a big blow in the local derby at the Haven last Thursday.
Grinstead's performance lacked its usual zest and they never recovered after conceding an eighth minute goal despite enjoying most of the possession in the second half. The crucial goal came when leftback Adam Pearce beat Scott Kenward with a close range shot after Grinstead had failed to clear two crosses. The home side worked tirelessly to prevent Wasps from getting their passing game going and the closest the visitors came in the first half was on 32 minutes when Keith Bradshaw powered a header from Roger Gualtieri's corner against the bar.
Grinstead had a strong breeze behind them in the second half and penned the home side back for long spells. But the home defence dealt comfortably with a succession of hopeful balls into the box while keeper Matt Heasman was rarely extended. In the last 15 minutes Wasps effectively played with five forwards but the closest they came was when substitute Richard Whale lifted a close range shot over the bar after Bradshaw had headed a corner into his path.

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond, Woolley, Bradshaw, Garrett, Gellatly, Greig, Hardy, Wright, Hylton, Gualtieri. Subs (all used): Hillen, Larking, Whale.

WESTFIELD 2, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 1

GRINSTEAD'S promotion push suffered another potentially fatal blow on Saturday after Westfield came from behind to win with two needlessly conceded penalties. A rock-hard, bobbly pitch made it a poor spectacle, but Wasps played far better than they had done two days earlier against Crawley Down and felt hard done by not to have come home with at least a point. They went ahead with a penalty of their own after 32 minutes when Dave Garrett was brought down on the edge of the box by Tony Harris and Stuart Hardy converted his tenth goal of the season from the spot. But Westfield were level ten minutes later when a needless push by Mark Hillen on Lee Wood was spotted by the ref and Mark Drinkwater made it 1-1 with a well taken penalty. Apart from a header against the bar by Wood in the 77th minute, neither side threatened in the second half with Grinstead's strikers struggling to make much headway despite the introduction of the lively Ben Alexander as a substitute for Gualtieri. Skipper Dave Gelallty was unlucky in the 80th minute when he lobbed the keeper but saw his effort cleared off the line by John Lambert. Then disaster struck for the visitors with four minutes left when Kenward raced out of his goal as Kevin Rose latched onto a through ball and sent his opponent tumbling to the ground. Penalty No3 was awarded and Drinkwater was again successful. Grinstead boss Bob Smith slumped to the ground in despair and no wonder. The hard work he has put in this season now looks as if it won't bring any tangible reward.

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond, Woolley, Bradshaw, Rabbetts, Garrett, Gellatly, Hillen, Hardy, Hylton, Gualtieri. Subs (all used): Greig, Alexander, Benton.

OVING 2, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 1

TWO moments of defensive indecision meant heartbreak for Grinstead in the Division Two Cup semi-final on Monday night.
Wasps were well in control against Oving at Burgess Hill with an hour played, and the only surprise was that they weren’t leading by more than Ben Burns’ 53rd minute goal.
Burns partnered James Hylton up front after manager Bob Smith decided not to risk Roger Gualtieri, who had a slight hamstring strain, with more key league games to come in the next few days.
Burms, one of three youth team players in the team, was a constant menace for Oving’s defence and he was on hand to scramble the ball over the line after Oving failed to deal with Keith Bradshaw’s towering header at a corner.
Matt Thorpe had already gone desperately close on two occasions to turning Grinstead’s first half dominance into goals while Oving goalkeeper Lee Conway made a superb reflex save to keep out Hylton’s close range effort.
But the turning point came on 59 minutes when Hylton side-footed over from six yards with Conway stranded after unselfish work by Burns and Dave Garrett set up a simple opportunity. Two minutes later Wasps’ goalkeeper Scott Kenward unwisely charged off his line in an effort to snuff out an attack down the right only to be beaten to the ball by Stewart Macintosh who lobbed it over him and into the net.
Oving were suddenly re-energised and on 69 minutes they went in front when slack marking allowed Justin Turnill to volley a smartly-taken goal from just inside the penalty area.
Wasps looked tired in the closing stages of their sixth game in 11 days but roused themselves for a grandstand finish which almost brought them an equaliser no one would have begrudged them when skipper Dave Gellatly fired inches over from 20 yards.
Manager Bob Smith said: “A couple of mistakes have cost us but I am proud of the players. For over an hour we were superb and if we had got a second goal we would have won comfortably.”
At least Smith will be able to call on Steve Greig (foot) and Andy Rabbetts (thigh) after injury in time for a run of four league games in six days, starting at Crawley Down on Thursday night, as they return to their main priority of promotion.

Grinstead: Kenward, Raymond, Gellatly, Hardy, Woolley, Bradshaw, Garrett, Wright, Hylton, Burns (sub: Gualtieri 70), Thorpe (sub: Hillen 82). Unused sub: Larking.

WORTHING UNITED 0, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 2

Wasps' two great Scotts - goalkeeper Kenwood and young defender Woolley - played significant parts in Saturday's crucial win over one of their promotion rivals. Woolley scored his first senior goal as Grinstead established a 2-0 lead then Kenwood pulled off a couple of top-drawer saves to preserve it as Bob Smith's side passed the sternest test yet of their promotion credentials with flying colours. Kenwood kept his sixth clean sheet in eight games since coming to the club and in his short Grinstead career he won't have made a better save than the 12th minute tip-over which prevented Gavin Jones' perfectly struck 25 yarder from ripping the net off the top corner of the goal frame. The save certainly boosted the visitors' confidence and four minutes later they took the lead. Keith Bradshaw met Gualtieri's corner with a powerful header which goalkeeper Paul House could only parry as far as Woolley who gleefully forced it over the line from close range. On 25 minutes it was 2-0. Skipper Dave Gellatly's driving run and pass from deep found Gualtieri who got clear of the defence before firing inside House's near post from close range.
United's best first half moment came on 38 minutes when midfielder Steve Pickles hit the post with a shot following a corner and in the second half, as Pickles' influence grew on the contest, United controlled possessions for long spells. But Wasps worked slavishly all over the pitch to deny their opponents time and space which meant Kenwood was only seriously extended once when he pulled off another superb save to turn Pickles' shot from the edge of the box over the bar. Wasps were content to use their pace to hit the hosts on the break and Dave Garrett and Gualtieri both went close to a third. But the visitors were quite happy to settle for 2-0 and, judging by the noise in the dressing room afterwards, they were only too aware of the significance of this result.

Grinstead: Kenwood, Raymond, Bradshaw, Woolley, Wright, Greig (sub: Thorpe 72), Hardy, Gellatly, Garrett, Hylton (sub: Whale 86), Gualtieri.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4, CRAWLEY DOWN 0

WASPS recorded only their second home win over their local rivals since Down became a senior club in emphatic fashion at East Court last Thursday. Only some brave saves by visiting keeper Matt Heasman, allied to poor Grinstead finishing, prevented a rout. What must have pleased Bob Smith most was that all four goals were scored by midfield players. The opener came after 16 minutes when Stuart Hardy ran at a retreating defence before slotting a low shot beyond Heasman. It was 2-0 on 29 minutes when Kevin Wright reacted quickest after a free kick wasn't cleared to score his second goal of the campaign with a deflected effort. And the game was as good as over on 34 minutes when Dave Garrett hooked a close range shot past Heasman after he had been left unmarked at a free kick. Skipper Dave Gellatly scored the night's best goal two minutes after the break when he ended a powerful surge from midfield with a fiercely struck low shot which arrowed into the bottom corner. Grinstead ought to have improved still further their goal difference after that with Heasman making a string of fine saves while the home side wasted any number of one on ones as they picked holes through the visitors' overworked defence. In the absence of Matt Stevenson Down offered little threat up front while they were often over-run in midfield. It should be a lot more difficult in tonight's return game although Smith must be confident that his side can achieve their first double over Down.

Grinstead: Kenwood, Raymond, Rabbetts (Thorpe 13), Bradshaw, Woolley, Wright, Hardy, Gellatly (sub: Dart 65), Garrett, Hylton, Gualtieri.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 2, OAKWOOD 0

WASPS had extra reason to celebrate after completing their hectic Easter programme with a third win in four days on Monday.
A comfortable victory not only lifted them into sixth place in the second division, but also booked their place in the semi-finals of the Division Two Cup.
The teams had agreed to play for points and a cup semi against Oving to ease fixture congestion. And once Roger Gualtieri and James Hylton had both scored in the space of two first half minutes, Grinstead never looked like relinquishing control, even though their performance never touched the heights they had shown on Saturday against Broadbridge Heath.
Goalkeeper Scott Kenwood was rarely troubled while in midfield Stuart Hardy and Steve Greig stole the show with their energy and tenacity in the tackle.
The opening goal came on 20 minutes when Greig and Hylton combined to put Gualtieri away in acres of space down the right.
Hylton was waiting on the six yard line for a tap-in, but Gualtieri surprised him and Oaks’ goalkeeper Michael Onions by driving home a close range shot inside the near post instead.
The best move of the match produced the second goal two minutes later. Hardy released Dave Garrett down the left and his pin-point cross was turned back at the far post by skipper Dave Gellatly to Hylton who nudged it over the line from close range.
Hylton and Gellatly both went close before the break and Wasps were unlucky not to add a third during another spell of domination early in the second half.

Hylton turned ex-Wasps defender Steve Moore to get in a shot which Onions did well to parry before the 17-goal striker turned Gualtieri’s raking cross inches over the target.
Then on 58 minutes Hardy drilled a free-kick from 20 yards against the base of the left-hand post with Onions a spectator.

Grinstead settled for what they had after that and, as both sides tired, referee Harry Ford booked Oakwood’s Louis McNaughton, Gerald Manville and Lee Christensen for fouls.

Grinstead: Kenwood, Raymond, Bradshaw, Rabbetts; Wright, Hardy, Greig, Gellatly (sub: Thorpe 85), Garrett; Hylton (sub: Burns 90), Gualtieri. Unused sub: Woolley.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4, BROADBRIDGE HEATH 2

JAMES HYLTON was the toast of East Court on Easter Saturday after a superb four-goal salvo from the Grinstead striker kept his side in touch with the leaders in County League Division Two.
Hylton completed his hat-trick with a superb 65th minute header from Roger Gualtieri's free-kick, but his best goal was yet to come. With ten minutes remaining, and Grinstead leading 3-2, Heath goalkeeper Gary Brown's poor goal-kick was intercepted by Hylton some 40 yards from goal and he promptly smashed it back over the bemused Brown with a sensational volley. It was the first hat-trick by a Grinstead player this season and was a deserved reward for the 23-year-old whose all-round game gave Heath's defence constant problems.
Defender Andy Rabbetts almost gave Grinstead a third minute lead when he diverted Keith Bradshaw's powerful header at a corner inches wide of the left-hand post.
Wasps began confidentally and went ahead after 17 minutes. Heath's defence failed to deal with Scott Kenwood's huge goalkick and Hylton got clear in the inside left channel before beating Brown with a powerful shot from 10 yards.
The visitors gradually got into the game though and they probably had the edge in midfield over Wasps during the first half.
They drew level on 35 minutes in controversial circumstances. Kevin Wright appeared to have been fouled on the edge of his own box, but the referee waved play on and Jamie Taylor rode Stuart Hardy's challenge before beating Kenwood with a shot which went in off the inside of the post.
Hylton could have scored just before half-time, but directed a free header from Kevin Wright's inviting cross over the bar.
But within two minutes of the re-start Hylton made it 2-1. Strike partner Gualtieri's persistence enabled him to win a challenge with Neil Vanson and when the ball broke 12 yards out Hylton smashed it past Brown. Once again, however, Heath struck back. On 51 minutes Wasps failed to clear Andy Howard's long diagonal cross and Paul Young had space to give Kenwood no chance with his close range shot.

Grinstead now faced a test of character, but they showed they were made of the right stuff. Hardy became an increasing influence as Wasps started to dictate midfield and on 64 minutes they were in front for the third time. Gualtieri was again the provider, curling a free-kick from the left with uneering accuracy onto the head of Hylton whose powerful effort gave Brown no chance from six yards. This time there was no way back for Heath and after Hylton's show-stopping fourth, manager Bob Smith was able to give striker Richard Whale his debut following his signing from Oakwood last month.

Grinstead: Kenwood, Raymond, Bradshaw, Rabbetts; Wright, Hardy, Greig, Gellatly (sub: Thorpe 82), Garrett; Gualtieri (sub: Whale 82), Hylton. Unused sub: Woolley.

STORRINGTON 0, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4

THE strength in depth in Bob Smith's Grinstead squad was evident on Friday when he was able to rest several first team players and still make comfortable progress into the quarter-final of the Division Two Cup.
Of the squad involved against Broadbridge Heath, only Scott Woolley played the entire 90 minutes as Grinstead wore down Storrington's resistance before scoring three goals in four minutes late in the second half.
Youth teamer Ben Burns and Sam Betteridge, one of three players enjoying a run out during their University holiday, formed a new partnership up front and both scored twice.
Burns broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when he got in front of his marker to side-foot home a left-wing cross from James Hylton, one of three half-time substitutes. Apart from a header into the side netting by veteran Eamon Searle, the home side - who were also resting key players for important league fixtures - offered little threat. And Grinstead finished with a flourish.
Betteridge's persistence was rewarded on 80 minutes when he latched onto Scott Kenwood's clearance to fire a low shot past James Everett. Straight from the re-start, Burns and Hylton combined to set up Betteridge for a smartly taken second and Burns claimed his second and Wasps' fourth after 84 minutes with a coolly taken close range finish. Both strikers had chances to complete hat-tricks in the closing stages as they impressed along with midfield pair Tom Butcher and Matt Thorpe who showed what excellent assets they will be to Grinstead on a regular basis once their studies are finished.

Grinstead: Kenwood, Rolfe, Hall, Greig (sub: Gualtieri 45), Woolley, Butcher, Garrett (sub: Hylton 45), Wright (sub: Hardy 45), Betteridge, Burns, Thorpe.

MIDFIELD dynamo Stuart Hardy is back for East Grinstead Town’s hectic end of season run-in. Wasps’ inspirational skipper left East Court in January to join Ryman League Division Two outfit Horsham.
But Hardy has been unable to win a place in the Horsham team after finishing a seven week suspension, so he has committed himself to Grinstead at least until the end of the season.
Manager Bobby Smith said: “We’re delighted to have Stuart back, his return will give the whole squad a big lift at an important time of the season.”

With several players also returning from university for the Easter holidays, Grinstead’s squad is as strong as it has been all year.
And Smith certainly needs all hands on deck as he prepares for a minimum of 15 games between now and the end of the season - whenever that is.
Saturday’s match with Hailsham was the 22nd first team game postponed in this rain-ruined season.
The County League have been told by the FA that the season can be extended as late as May 29. Providing the weather improves, Grinstead should finish earlier than that and it looks as if their final game will be at home to Shoreham on May 14.

Hardy had a run out for the third team on Saturday in an effort to regain some match fitness and scored from the penalty spot in the 6-3 defeat at Division Two leaders Heath Pilgrims.
And he was due to face old club Lingfield last night (Tuesday) as Wasps began a spell of four games in six days over Easter.
On Good Friday they visit Storrington in the second round of the Division Two Cup (ko 11am) before two crucial home matches in the space of 48 hours. Broadbridge Heath come to East Court on Saturday, kick off 3pm, before Oakwood are the visitors on Easter Monday (ko 11am).

Smith still believes his side can mount a challenge for promotion. Even though they currently lie tenth they have as many as six games in hand on some of the teams above them.
“We saw last season how quickly you can rise up the table at the end of the season if you get on a winning roll,” he said.
“Our squad is as strong as it’s been all season with Stuart and the university boys back and new signing Richard Whale available as well.
“While we haven’t been playing, a lot of other results have gone our way and we showed when we beat Peacehaven in our last game that we can compete with any team in this league - we’ve just got to go for it in every game and see where we end up.”

Smith may take the opportunity to rotate his squad with three gruelling games in four days over Easter but while the league remains a priority he would love a run in the Division Two Cup with the winners of Friday’s tie due to entertain Oakwood in the quarter-finals.

Grinstead Reserves, who haven’t played for a month, face a similarly hectic runi-in as they attempt to capture one of the two promotion spots in the East Division with 14 games still to play.
Tonight (Wednesday) they were due to entertain Crawley Down (ko 6.15pm) before making the trip to third-placed Lewes on Saturday (3pm). Next Wednesday (18th) Newhaven are the visitors to East Court ko 6.15pm.

Meanwhile the under-18s are away to either Peacehaven or Hurstpierpoint in the semi-finals of the County Youth League Cup on April 22.
They reached the last four after beating Chichester City 3-0 and Lewes 4-2, both away from home.
The youth league has been abandoned for the season because of the weather.

EAST GRINSTEAD Town boss Bob Smith has strengthened his forward line this week by signing striker Richard Whale from County League Division Two rivals Oakwood. The 24-year-old was Oaks’ top scorer, although the eight goals he scored came at the start of the season before he was ruled out for three months after breaking both wrists in an accident at work.

Whale, who was with Horley Town and Redhill before joining Oakwood, trained with his new team-mates for the first time last Saturday and will be in the squad for this weekend’s Division Two Cup tie at Storrington (ko 3.00pm) although Smith is likely to name the same team which toppled Peacehaven a fortnight ago for the first round game.

Smith has been concerned for some time about Wasps’ inability to convert more of their chances. Only the bottom two teams in the second division have scored fewer than their 29 goals.
He said: “We need competition for places up front. I watched Richard earlier in the season and thought he would be a good addition to the squad, but then he got injured and has only just come back.
“He is a good signing for this season and for next year as well. He’s tall and seems to have a knack of being in the right place at the right time. I’m already planning for next season and I think he can score goals for us.”

Wasps suffered yet another postponement on Saturday when the league game against leaders Hailsham was postponed because of a Waterlogged pitch.
It leaves Grinstead with another 14 league games to fit in during the next seven weeks, but their backlog hasn’t been eased by the problems the club are having trying to erect their new floodlights.
Because the ground is still so wet the lifting gear needed for the job is not able to be used. The club were hoping to start this week, but that now seems unlikely especially as more rain is forecast to fall on an already saturated East Court.

Meanwhile Smith is hoping his side can improve on their poor Division Two Cup record by reaching the second round for only the fourth time on Saturday. The winners would face Oakwood at home and Smith thinks his side are capable of a decent run in the competition.
He added: “History is against us because our record in the competition is not good, but we’re playing quite well at the moment and there is a lot of confidence in the side. We lost to Storrington in the league in August, but going there doesn’t hold too many fears for us.”

Grinstead are due to entertain Storrington next Tuesday, but that game is almost certain to be postponed. Next Thursday they visit Oakwood (ko 7.45pm).
The reserves, out of action for the last fortnight, visit Newhaven in the East Division on Saturday (ko 3pm).
The scheduled home games for next week, against Lingfield on Wednesday and Wealden on Friday, are both subject to the floodlights being available. Supporters planning to attend any of the midweek games are asked to check with the club that they are taking place (tel: 01342 325885).
Meanwhile the Sussex County Youth League has been abandoned because the league will be unable to complete fixtures in time because of the weather. The cup competitions will continue and this Sunday Grinstead entertain Chichester City United, ko 11am, in a second round tie.
Grinstead’s third team are away to Lewes Rovers in Mid Sussex League Division Two, ko 3.00pm