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First Team Match Reports 2008 / 09 Season

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:: Whitehawk 0, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
MANAGER Steve Johnson believes Wasps can be a County League force next season after escaping relegation.

We looked like heading straight back to the second division a season after promotion when Steve and assistant Paul Thomsett arrived in February when Grinstead only had 12 points and had been in the bottom three since October.

But 21 points in their remaining fixtures was enough to keep us up with Saturday's 2-0 victory at Whitehawk securing our top-flight status and relegating Oakwood, East Preston and Worthing United.

Simon Funnell capitalised on a mistake by the Whitehawk goalkeeper to score his 12th goal of the season from 30 yards after 17 minutes.

It always looked like being enough against a disappointing Whitehawk team but Wasps made sure in the last minute when Jack Johnson's cross teed up fellow midfielder Andy Ducille who scored his fourth goal in three games.

The celebrations continued long into Saturday but this week Steve has been setting out his vision for next season, having always been convinced that Grinstead would beat the drop.

He said: "I was brought in to keep us up and I always felt confident we would do it and it's great to have done it through our own result on Saturday rather than relying on other teams dropping points.

"I certainly don't want a relegation battle next season and I don't think we will be in one. We may lose one or two players which happens every summer but the bulk of the squad will be here again and if we can bring in one or two new faces I definitely feel we can challenge at the right end of the table.

"I really can see us doing well. The team spirit and camaraderie is great and it's not as if we had to bring in loads of players. We brought in Luke Piscina, Andy DuCille, John Sinclair and, for the last two games, Jack Johnson but the bulk of the squad was already here."

A priority next season is improving Wasps' dismal home form. They only won two league games at East Court after going through the campaign unbeaten the previous year and in the end it was their excellent away form - they only lost once on the road under Johnson - which made the difference.

Steve admits his own reputation has been restored after he was sacked by Crowborough in February.

He added: "My own stock needed to improve after what happened there and at Ringmer. I wanted to make a success of it for personal reasons and because East Grinstead is a good, well-run club with some great people involved."

:: Ringmer 6, East Grinstead Town 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Buoyed by their victory at Selsey on Saturday and with the long awaited debut of Jack Johnson Grinstead were confident of gaining another victory however within 15 minutes the game was more or less already over as contest.

Ringmer, shooting down the considerable hill, were already ahead on 11 minutes when Kieran Patel powerfully headed home a left wing cross before they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Mannie Neville on the goal line which resulted in him being sent off and Aaron McMillan fired home the penalty.

Grinstead had a mountain to climb and Johnson reshuffled his side early on replacing Chris Smith with the more experienced Steve Causon. However Grinstead's task was made even harder when Mark Price made it 3 after his shot from the edge of the box bobbled over Ray Collier's dive.

Grinstead however are resilient and pulled a goal back on the half hour mark when Ringmer didn't deal with a Simon Funnell corner and Andy DuCille stooped to head into an empty net. For ten minutes after that Grinstead looked the better side but two scrappy goals just before and after half time from Kieran Patel and substitute Jo Jo Tubon gave Ringmer a healthy 5-1 advantage.

Still Grinstead didn't give up and DuCille with a good shot on the turn and a Luke Piscina header following another Funnell cross gave Grinstead brief hope that they could get an unlikely draw from the game, and they nearly made it 5-4 when Sinclair volleyed over from close range.

Deep into injury time Ringmer finally made the game safe when Tubon scored his second of the game when he lobbed over the injured Collier who had been hampered by a leg injury throughout the second half.

Team: Collier, Smith (Causon 22), Taylor, Neville Mannie, Pelling, DuCille, Sinclair, Burns(Major75), Piscina, Funnell, Johnson. Subs not used Miles Neville

:: Selsey 0, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS kept their first division survival hopes alive with an excellent win over a Selsey side beaten just twice at home in the league this season.

Manager Steve Johnson shuffled his pack, bringing back Steve Causon and switching Mannie Neville to central defender with John Sinclair pushed into midfield. Neil Taylor made a solid debut at leftback with Ray Collier returning in goal.

Collier was called into action in the first minute when he palmed away Ross Woolf's powerful drive but once they began to settle down Wasps took the game to their opponents.

They should have been awarded a penalty when Scott Hinshelwood handled Ben Burns' cross but the officials waved away Wasps' appeals. Grinstead have been on the rough end of some poor decisions in recent weeks and this was another but they regained their composure and were ahead in the 19th minute.

Burns held the ball up inside the box to feed David Major on the right and his far post cross was met with a firm header by Andy Ducille which gave home keeper Ryan Chard no chance.

Selsey were guilty of over-playing at times and with Wasps strong in the tackle and quick to close down space the hosts' only route back into the game before the break came from set pieces but Tom Jeffes wasted their best chance when his glancing header from Greg Robinson's right-wing corner went wide.

Grinstead started the second half strongly and within two minutes of the re-start they had made it 2-0 when Piscina broke down the left and picked out Burns who beat Chard with a header inside the far post for his sixth goal of the season.

Selsey were rocking and Wasps should have gone further in front. Sinclair missed by inches with a powerful drive from 25 yards before Chard somehow kept out his far post header.

Burns' inswinging corner clattered the bar with Chard beaten and in the closing stages, as Selsey chased a goal and left gaps at the back, Sinclair was again inches away after being set up by Dave Gellatly.

At the other end Calum Britton went close with a header but Grinstead defended superbly throughout and that gave them the platform to claim an ultimately comfortable victory.

Johnson said: "It was a great performance all over the pitch. We worked hard to close them down and when we broke we looked a threat. We need to do that in our last two games and hope that it is enough to keep us up."

Grinstead: Collier, Causon, Taylor, Neville, Pelling, D.Major (sub: S.Major 72), Sinclair, Ducille, Gellatly; Piscina, Burns. Unused subs: C.Smith, Cooney.

:: Lingfield 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
It looked like being a pointless Easter for Wasps when they trailed 2-0 at Lingfield in Monday's derby with 14 minutes to go after losing 2-1 to a controversial goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time against Hassocks on Saturday.

But Ben Burns poached his fourth goal of the campaign from close range after good work by Dave Gellatly and five minutes from time defender Marc Pelling popped up in the six yard box to score after Gellatly had flicked on Simon Funnell's left-wing cross.

After an even, goalless first half Lingfield had gone in front in controversial fashion after 52 minutes when Steven Ahoua scored after a clear handball in the build-up was not spotted by the referee and his assistant did not flag as he was under instruction to only flag for offsides and throw ins.

An own goal after 70 minutes seemed to have made the points safe for the home side but Burns sparked Wasps into life six minutes later and boss Steve Johnson felt his side deserved to take something from the game.

He said: "I was pleased with our spirit because we didn't deserve to be 2-0 down, especially after there was a blatant handball for the first goal.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Hassocks 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Steve Johnson was furious with the performance of referee Darren Eaton in the game against Hassocks.

Wasps edged a tight first half and went ahead in the 33rd minute when Simon Funnell scored his 11th goal of the season with a superb finish from Dave Gellatly's left-wing cross.

Visiting keeper James Simpson prevented Luke Piscina making it two just after the break with a superb save from his powerful shot before the first moment of controversy on 64 minutes.

Neil Kane got free down the left and goalkeeper Ray Collier came out to the edge of the box but collided with his own team-mate John Sinclair.

Kane, on losing control of the ball, went down with no contact and to the astonishment of everyone - including Kane and the visiting officials - Mr Eaton awarded a penalty which Anthony Hibbert converted.

It was nip and tuck after that as both sides went for the winner but a draw seemed the likely outcome until another flashpoint in the eighth minute of time added on.

Kane was at least two yards offside as he chased a long pass down the left but the assistant kept his flag down and Kane lobbed Collier and his effort had just enough power to beat Mannie Neville's desperate attempt to keep it out on the line.

Johnson remonstrated with the officials at the end but the damage was done, although the Grinstead boss is still fuming about the injustice.

"They were ridiculous decisions - the penalty and the offside - but when referees are so poor in the Premier League what chance have we got?

"The two games have cost us two wins in my opinion and something has to be done - it is so frustrating."

Grinstead: Collier, Foyle, Miles Neville (sub: Smith), Sinclair, Pelling, DuCille, Burns (sub D.Major), Gellatly (sub: Rigler), Piscina, Funnell, Mannie Neville.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Arundel 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS gained their first home point of 2009 with a hard earned draw against title chasing Arundel on Saturday.

They will hope to build on this on Saturday when they entertain Hassocks, in what is their last home game of the season before they end the season with 4 away games which will ultimately decide whether they can keep out of the bottom three relegation places.

Saturday did highlight the improvements that Grinstead have made in recent weeks. The last time they met Arundel back in October they were thumped 6-0. This time there was nothing between the two sides and you would have struggled to pick out which side had an outside chance of winning the league and a team fighting against relegation.

Both sides struggled to create any clear cut chances with both defensives well on top but Grinstead's assistant manager Paul Thomsett who took charge on Saturday with Steve Johnson away on business said: "I'm happy with a point against a good side but I felt we deserved all three."[Matchday photos]

It took 27 minutes for either side to threaten. Luke Piscina picked out Simon Funnell in the penalty box but his well struck shot was charged down by centre-half Jason Wimbleton.

Arundel's first effort cam 6 minutes later, John Sinclair got the wrong side of Howard Neighbour and his cross was met at the near post by the league's top scorer Gary Norgate but his attempt was just wide of the near post.

Arundel did take the lead on 37 minutes in controversial circumstances. A long punt down the middle fell straight to Neighbour who looked to be standing at least 2 yards offside, and he rifled his shot past the exposed Ray Collier.

The second half was much the same with both sides struggling to create any chances. With twenty minutes of the game remaining, Piscina's strong run and shot was saved at the near post by Lee Arnell. However 3 minutes later Grinstead were deservedly on terms.

Piscina released Funnell down the left and he calmly clipped the ball past Arnell, just inside the far post. Neither side really threatened to snatch victory although Grinstead came the closest in the closing minutes when Funnell's shot from an acute angle drifted just wide of the far post.

Team: Collier, Causon, Belli, Sinclair, Pelling, DuCille, Burns (Rigler 63), Gellatly, Piscina, Funnell, Major. Subs not used: Smith, Cooney.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Redhill 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A stirring second-half fightback was not enough for Wasps who remain in relegation trouble after their poor home form continued on Tuesday night.

Redhill deservedly led 2-0 at the break and could have been even further in front before the home side rallied after the break. What turned out to be the decisive moment came in the 53rd minute when Luke Piscina was brought down by Jason Barton but Mannie Neville's penalty was too close to Chris May who made a comfortable save and Grinstead had missed from the spot for the second successive home game.

Ben Burns did pull a goal back on 69 minutes, volleying home from close range after Neville headed Dave Gellatly's free kick back across the face of goal.

And Piscina thought he had equalised with a free-kick eight minutes later but May produced an acrobatic tip-over.

Wasps' disappointment was compounded five minutes from time when Gellatly was sent off for a second bookable offence, one of six yellow cards dished out by referee James Slaney whose decision-making baffled both teams as well as the crowd.

Redhill dominated the first half with Lee Radford hitting the underside of the bar and Will Jenkin denied by a goal-line clearance from Steve Causon before they went ahead in the 33rd minute when Barton headed Aaron Murphy's free-kick past a stranded Ray Collier in the home goal.

Tony Reid then hit the outside of the post before giving Collier no chance with a powerful header from Jon Difford's cross on the stroke of half-time.

Wasps were more purposeful in the second half, particularly in their defensive work, but despite long spells of pressure they only had Burns' goal to show for their efforts.

Grinstead: Collier, Causon, Pelling, Sinclair, Miles Neville, D.Major (sub: Ducille 45), Gellatly, Mannie Neville; Burns (Rigler 82), Piscina, Funnell.

:: East Preston 0, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Grinstead's bold approach paid off at the Lashmar on Saturday where they secured three vital points.

Boss Steve Johnson and assistant Paul Thomsett were intent on trying to win the game and played three strikers with Ben Burns operating just behind Luke Piscina and Simon Funnell.

And it paid dividends as Piscina and Funnell struck in the final 11 minutes by which time EP were down to ten men after one of their players swore at the referee.

The home side shaded a poor first half and John Sinclair had to be alert to clear Jason Jarvis's shot off the line. But there were chances at the other end too with Piscina hitting the bar with an effort from wide on the right and seeing two efforts - a header followed by a close-range shot - smothered by goalkeeper Alex Bryant.

Bryant kept out Funnell's free-kick at the start of the second half and Wasps then introduced a fourth striker when Grant Rigler came on as they looked for the breakthrough.

It came in the 79th minute when Funnell's free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall and the loose ball dropped to Piscina who smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards, leaving Bryant helpless.

The expected EP response never materialised. Andy Ducille's header bounced off the post and into Bryant's grateful arms then the keeper managed to push Burns' strike onto the bar.

But a second Grinstead goal arrived in the last minute when Rigler pierced the offside trap and as Bryant spread himself expecting a shot he coolly side-footed it into the path of Funnell who had a tap-in for his eighth goal of the season.

Grinstead: Collier; Causon, Miles Neville, Sinclair, Wackett (sub: Smith 58), Mannie Neville, Ducille, Burns, Cooney (sub: Rigler 65), Funnell, Piscina.

:: Shoreham 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Wasps looked the better side early on against Shoreham although there were few chances at either end and it was no surprise when a mistake led to the deadlock being broken on 31 minutes.

Shoreham keeper Michael Hunter should have dealt comfortably with Gellatly's shot, which was not struck with any power, but he completely missed his clearance and the ball rolled into an empty net.

But the home side levelled seven minutes later when Liam O'Brien flicked on Hunter's clearance and Owen Callaghan got past Miles Neville as he cut in from the right before firing past Ray Collier.

Johnson brought on Major and Smith at the break and within two minutes of the re-start Major squandered a great chance to put Wasps back in front when his header from Luke Piscina's cross lacked power and went wide when firmer contact would have been enough to find the net.

Collier pulled off an excellent double save to deny O'Brien and Callaghan but the second half lacked cohesion and late on Grinstead settled for what they had, reverting to a 4-5-1 formation with Piscina the lone front man.

Against a side beaten only three times at home this season it was another useful point.

Grinstead: Collier, Blair Cooney (sub: Smith 45), Miles Neville, Sinclair, Wackett, Manie Neville, Burns Taylor 75), Gellatly, Piscina, Rigler (D.Major 45), Ducille

:: Oakwood 1, East Grinstead Town 5 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS' bid to avoid the drop got a huge boost with a rare win at Tinsley Lane in Tuesday's battle of two sides in the relegation zone.

Grinstead have only made two successful trips to Oakwood before but a superb attacking display, allied to a strong defensive performance, improved that statistic - much to the delight of manager Steve Johnson.

"It was our best performance since I came to the club but we have been threatening it to be honest," said the boss.

"We played great in their final third with good movement and pace and defended well. Just as pleasing was how well we kept possession. There is still a long way to go but we are moving in the right direction."

Simon Funnell opened the scoring when he controlled a poor clearance from Oaks' goalkeeper Glen FitzCoy before hammering it back past him in the 12th minute.

Oakwood soon levelled with a fortunate goal when Wasps' midfielder Steve Causon's attempted clearance sliced over goalkeeper Ray Collier who could only push it onto the bar and into the path of Tom Familton, who had a tap in.

But by half-time Wasps had taken control with two further goals.

Luke Piscina's free-kick was headed powerfully home by Andy Ducille for his first Grinstead goal and then Piscina and Ben Burns hounded Oakwood into a defensive mistake and Burns shrugged off an opponent before beating Fitzcoy with a powerful shot.

Funnell made it 4-1 straight after the break when he scored his second with a firmly-struck shot and Piscina was provider again when Burns got his second and third in two games to make it 5-1 midway through the second half.

Grinstead: Collier, Causon, Blair Cooney, Sinclair, Wackett, Mannie Neville, Burns, Gellatly, Piscina, Funnell, Ducille: subs all used: Smith, Taylor, Tadman

:: Pagham 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Manager Steve Johnson felt Wasps should have beaten Pagham, who got their second equaliser five minutes from time when sub Clive Turney struck after Wasps failed to clear a corner.

Luke Piscina thought he had won it a minute from the end but Pagham goalkeeper Wes Hallett produced a stunning full-length save to keep out his shot.

Wasps looked more threatening in a goalless first half when Piscina and David Major went close and they broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when substitute Ben Burns spotted Hallett off his line and beat him from long range to score his first goal of an injury-plagued season.

Grinstead have made a habit of squandering leads in recent weeks and Lee Bradshaw levelled when he headed home Lewis Hamilton's cross 11 minutes later.

Back came the visitors and Piscina made it two goals in two games on 72 minutes as Hallett was beaten for the second time from long range.

Once again, though, Grinstead could not hold on although Johnson was pleased with their performance.

"We should have won," he said. "The save their goalkeeper made at the end from Luke was world class but it is another step forward for us."

Grinstead: Over, Causon, Miles Neville, Wackett (sub Burns), Pelling, Mannie Neville, D Major (sub Smith), Gellatly, Piscina, Sinclair, DuCille

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Whitehawk 5 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Grinstead suffered their second consecutive 5-3 home defeat against title chasing Whitehawk on a wet and windy night at East Court last Tuesday.

Grinstead matched thier Brighton opponents for most of the first half but three goals in the space of 13 minutes either side of half time spelt the end of Wasps' hopes despite a valiant late rally.

Former Brighton striker Joe Gatting was at the centre of most of Whitehawk attacking moves and he had already gone close twice before scoring their opener five minutes before half time when he found himsef umarked from a corner from the right to leave him the simple task of heading in from 6 yards.

Grinstead had gone close just moments before when Luke Piscina, their best player on the night, had stung the hands of keeper Ross Standen.

Five minutes after half time Whitehawk doubled their lead when Gatting produced a great cross from the right to substitute Josh Jones who met it first time past the stranded Ray Collier.

Gatting shortly after scored his second of the night when he expertly clipped the ball over Collier as Whitehwk threatened to run riot.

Grinstead rallied however and after a stunning close range save by Standen from Andy Ducille, Dave Gellatly's cross shot was poked in at the far post by defender Marc Pelling.

It didn't take long for Whitehawk to increase their lead again and two more relatively soft goals from a defensive point of view by Hawks' substitute Stuart Garrod and Roy Pook heaped more misery on Grinstead.

Grinstead went for broke and although short of numbers at the back they gave Whitehawk numerous problems with some good attacking play. Piscina deservedly scored his first goal for the club by slotting home from close range and just a minute later a strong run by Piscina resulted in a penalty. Simon Funnell tooked the kick but somehow his powerfully-struck shot was tipped over by Standen.

Grinstead kept going to the end and on the stroke of full-time a perfect reverse ball from Funnell allowed substitute Grant Rigler to calmly stroke his shot under Standen for his second goal in as many matches.

Grinstead: Collier, Sinclair, Foyle, Wackett (sub: Causon), Pelling, Neville(sub: Rigler) David Major (sub: Belli), Gellatly, Piscina, Funnell, DuCille. Unused subs: Burns, Edwards.

:: Hailsham Town 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS' improvement under new boss Steve Johnson continued as they ground out a point on their travels for the second successive County League game.

Johnson had to make four changes to the side which held high-flying Three Bridges to a goalless draw last Tuesday against a Hailsham side who had won 4-0 at East Court earlier in the month.

But his players did Johnson proud and a neat 83rd-minute flick from Grant Rigler - his first goal of the season - earned Grinstead a deserved point.

Johnson said: "We are making progress. We have tightened up at the back and still look a threat going forward and the attitude among the players is very positive. We all feel we can get out of relegation trouble."

Johnson gave a debut to the experienced Andy DuCille on Saturday and the former Eastbourne Borough and Crowborough man impressed in midfield.

Johnson added: "Andy does the simple things well. He keeps the ball, can spot a pass and brings energy to the side. He does a lot of things that go un-noticed but he was a big factor in the result."

Goalkeeper Ray Collier had been the hero against Bridges with three great saves but it looked like being a different story in the 39th minute when he missed a routine clearance on the edge of his box as the ball took a horrible bobble and Danny Leach strolled through for what will be his easiest goal of the season.

Luke Piscina had twice threatened at the other end and Piscina and sub Ben Burns went close to an equaliser before Piscina's corner was flicked in at the near post by strike partner Rigler.

Piscina nearly won it but shot wide of Chris Winterton's goal with two minutes to go.

Johnson believes the former Crowborough striker will be unstoppable once he gets his first Grinstead goal.

"It will come," he warned. "And like buses when Luke gets one he will go on a run and get four or five because he keeps getting in the positions to score goals."

Grinstead: Collier, Belli, Foyle, Wackett, Pelling, Edwards (sub: Burns 59), DuCille, Sinclair, D.Major. Unused subs: C.Smith, Taylor.

:: Three Bridges 0, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
BOSS Steve Johnson hailed Tuesday's battling point against high-flying Bridges as Grinstead's best performance since he came to the club.

After conceding 19 goals in their five previous games, a clean sheet was much needed and achieved thanks to a solid defensive display marshalled by Danny Wackett and some brave goalkeeping by Ray Collier.

On four occasions Collier saved certain goals, keeping out Dean Wright in the first minute before denying Nathan Davis, twice, and Elliott Romain when they broke clear of the visitors' defence.

The pace and movement of the home side often had Wasps at full stretch with Collier making a great double save to deny Wright in the 64th minute as Bridges piled on the pressure.

But it wasn't all one-way traffic for a Grinstead side without unavailable striker Luke Piscina.

John Sinclair wasn't far away with a 20-yard drive in the first half and seconds from the end Dave Gellatly's pass released Simon Funnell whose shot was heading for the far corner until Carl Dunk made a timely intervention.

Johnson said: "The attitude among the boys was first class. They were determined to get something from the game.

"We weren't at our strongest but everyone worked their socks off and we had the chance to nick it at the end. But a point is a good result there and gives us something to build on."

Grinstead: Collier, Belli, Foyle, Pelling, Wackett, Causon, Sinclair, Gellatly (sub: McEwan 90), Rigler(sub: Johnston 90), Funnell, Edwards(sub: S.Major 66)

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Wick 5 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
GRINSTEAD seem to have rediscovered a threat up front but now they need to stop leaking goals if they are to get out of relegation trouble.

Steve Johnson's men looked to be on course for a valuable win against a lively Wick side when they overturned a 2-1 deficit to lead 3-2.

But Wick hit back to score three times in the last 20 minutes and to compound Wasps' misery, Marc Pelling got a straight red card for a professional foul on John Lawson five minutes from time while fellow defender Danny Wackett went off with a badly bruised eye.

Johnson said: "It's not just the guys at the back - the whole team has to take responsibility defensively. We are making little mistakes like not picking up opponents and are getting punished. We scored three decent goals but when you have to do that or even better every time to win games you're in trouble.

"But I'm still positive. It looks like three from four at the bottom to go down so we need to start putting a consistent run together soon. But the team is definitely improving in a lot of areas and I'm still trying to bring in one or two more new faces." Johnson picked out Scott Johnson, who made only his second first-team start at leftback, and strikers Simon Funnell and Luke Piscina for special praise but Wick, with Sussex strikers Scott Murfin and Phil Turner often causing havoc, have terrorised better sides than Grinstead this season and often had too much class at times for the hosts.

Lawson's turn and flick on in the 14th minute allowed Turner to beat Ray Collier with a powerful volley but Grinstead were on level terms within two minutes when Piscina won a seemingly lost cause in the corner and dug out a cross which Richard Foyle headed home for his first goal of the season.

Piscina twice went close to giving Grinstead a half-time lead but instead they were 2-1 down two minutes after the break when Wick caught them napping with a quickly-taken free kick and Murfin was left with a tap-in.

However the home side responded positively. Piscina was the architect again on 55 minutes when he won a corner which he took himself and found Mannie Neville, who volleyed in.

Then six minutes later Funnell pounced on a defensive slip to run through before calmly picking his spot.

But Wick were always a threat and when Colin Moss got a free header to equalise after 71 minutes the home fans must have feared the worst.

And two minutes later Murfin was again allowed too much space in the box and turned to set up Lawson to make it 4-3.

Johnson threw on an extra striker in Liam Bull in search of another equaliser but Pelling's indiscretion was punished when Murfin fired the resultant free kick past Collier to condemn Grinstead to a seventh home defeat out of eight. They have now conceded 17 goals in their last four matches at East Court.

Grinstead: Collier, Belli (sub: McEwan 70), Foyle, Pelling, Wackett (Causon 70), Neville, Sinclair, Gellatly, Johnston (Bull 75), Piscina, Funnell.

:: Worthing United 2, East Grinstead Town 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
JOHN Sinclair scored a debut winner ten minutes from time to revive Wasps' bid to avoid the drop and give boss Steve Johnson his first win since taking over at East Court. [Matchday photos]

Grinstead looked to have thrown away the opportunity of a morale-boosting victory against another of the strugglers when they surrendered a 2-0 lead and had goalkeeper Ray Collier sent off in the 74th minute for deliberate handball outside the penalty area.

But Sinclair produced a superb finish with his right foot after turning a defender on the left-hand side of the box and curling his shot inside the far post. Wasps' first win since November 29 lifted them a place to 18th in the table.

A delighted Johnson said: "John and our other new signing Luke Piscina made a big difference but it was a really good team performance.

"John has loads of energy which is why he was able to do what he did when others were starting to tire but he still feels he can play better.

"It's a great boost for our confidence and the players got a big lift. We played some nice football and I thought the scoreline flattered them a little bit."

Sinclair operated alongside Mannie Neville in the centre of midfield as Johnson made tactical changes against Worthing. He switched to a 4-4-2 with Michael Belli impressing at right back while Richard Foyle did a solid job on the opposite flank.

Wasps were forced into a late change when Lee Whibley dropped out but Collier had little to do in the first half as the visitors took control.

Marc Pelling headed them in front from close range (10 minutes) and Sullivan crashed a firmly-struck low shot past Dean Fuller two minutes before half-time to make it 2-0. Piscina's pace and work rate were a constant threat and if his finish had matched the mazy run which took him past three defenders he would have been celebrating a debut goal as well.

But the home side grew in confidence after the break. Tim Southee pulled one back in the 52nd minute and produced another neat finish to level four minutes later. At that stage Worthing looked the likelier winners, especially when Collier was sent off.

Pelling took over in goal and Wasps suddenly found new impetus which was rewarded by Sinclair's winner late on.

Johnson added: "It was a great finish by John and the whole team showed good character after Ray was sent off, harshly in my opinion. We had a really happy dressing room after Saturday and have definitely got something to build on."

Grinstead: Collier; Belli, Pelling, Wackett, Foyle; Saunders, Sinclair, Neville, N.Sullivan; Funnell, Piscina. Subs (all used): Bull, McEwan, Taylor.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Hailsham 4 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
AN eye-catching debut by his first signing Luke Gedling was the only crumb of comfort for new boss Steve Johnson as Wasps sunk deeper into relegation.

This was a must-win game against another of the struggling teams. Instead, Wasps are now six points from safety after their heaviest home defeat of the season and were fortunate not to suffer a bigger reverse. Hailsham hit the post twice and Danny Leach saw his penalty saved by Lee Whibley.

Johnson said: "The first thing you have to do against any Hailsham team is match them in the battle but we were so far off the pace - we were treading water.

"I won't accept mediocrity. We had some words at half-time and I think most of the players accepted it. We simply cannot afford to play as badly as that again."

Gedling was the only bright spark in Grinstead's performance as he showed some good touches and awareness on the ball.

But Hailsham's explosive front two of Danny Leach and Scott McDonald never gave Wasps' defence a moment's rest and Leach created the opener on ten minutes when he released Sam Cole whose shot from the edge of the box was too powerful for Lee Whibley.

Leach was unlucky on 20 minutes when his cross-shot came off the inside of the far post with Whibley beaten and shortly after the Grinstead keeper has to be at his best to deny Lee Barnard from close range.

The visitors should have been two up on the half-hour mark. Marc Pelling fouled McDonald just inside the box but Whibley was able to save Leach's spot kick.

Grinstead then had their best spell of the match. Steve Causon headed over from close range from Dan Sullivan's corner and Simon Funnell, who later went off with an ankle injury, clipped the crossbar from long range.

The best chance fell to Mannie Neville, playing up front alongside Funnell, when Gedling found him with a delightful ball but from only six yards out and with just Chris Winterton to beat he screwed his side footed attempt well wide. This miss came shortly after Hailsham were again denied by the woodwork when Barnard's shot came off the underside of the bar.

Hailsham increased their lead in controversial circumstances early in the second half. A quick break down the right ended with Barnard's shot being cleared of the line by Cooney. Hailsham appealed that he had used his arm, even though he had his back to goal and Cooney was booked for his protest before Leach made no mistake from his second spot kick.

Hailsham were now well on top and Grinstead could only muster one shot on target in the second half when Gedling's effort from the edge of the box was turned past the post by Winterton and from the resultant corner Nick Sullivan fired over from close range.

Hailsham though were always dangerous and ran out comfortable winners when first Barnard and then, with the last kick of the match, Leach added further goals in the closing stages.

Grinstead: Whibley, D.Sullivan (sub: Belli), Pelling, Cooney, Wackett, Gellatly (sub: Bull), Causon, Gedling, Neville, Funnell (sub: N.Sullivan), Saunders.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Eastbourne United Association 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
NEW boss Steve Johnson remains confident he can steer Wasps out of trouble despite his first game in charge ending in a fifth County League defeat in their last six games.

Eastbourne's victory took them to the top of the first division but Johnson, who has appointed the experienced Paul Thomsett as his assistant, sees plenty of reasons for optimism.

He will try and add to the squad this week but says wholesale changes are not required for Grinstead to climb out of trouble. Johnson said: "For a side struggling near the bottom the quality of our performance and the players surprised me.

"I thought we deserved to take something from the game. We played a new system which worked well and the boys responded to what we asked of them. You can see that confidence is a bit low but that will soon change after a couple of decent results.

"I have got some irons in the fire as regards new players. I think everyone at the club - committee, supporters and players - would expect one or two signings to lift everyone but we don't need lots of changes."

Ben Burns, who made his first start of the season, limped off with an ankle ligament injury which will keep him out for two weeks while Mannie Neville (hamstring) was also absent.

Burns played just behind the front two in a 3-4-1-2 formation but the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Dave Gellatly in the back three with Marc Pelling moving into midfield.

"Dave is not fit enough to play central midfield at the moment - he's only just come back after an eight-game suspension," explained Johnson. "It was difficult for him to adjust for ten minutes but I thought he did really well and Marc was a revelation. He scored a great goal and nearly got another."

What Wasps need to do is cut out the self-inflicted wounds which inevitably prove costly at this level.

As has often happened this season they started slowly and found themselves behind after nine minutes when striker Steve Morris had far too much time inside the box to turn and fire past an exposed Lee Whibley.

United were a threat on the break but as they got used to their new formation Grinstead began to look dangerous themselves. They retained the ball better than they had in recent weeks and Pelling nearly equalised when his drive from 25 yards thudded against the bar.

Moments later Grinstead suffered a major blow when Burns, who had looked lively, had to go off and two minutes later they were 2-0 down when Lucas Mann outpaced Gellatly and rounded Whibley before scoring.

Wasps got their way back into the game five minutes before the break when Tom Morton needlessly handled in the box and Simon Funnell scored his sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and Eastbourne got it with 17 minutes remaining as Wasps failed to defend an inswinging corner and Simon Stevens profited with a near-post header.

But Grinstead showed admirable resolve to make it 3-2 a couple of minutes later when Pelling beat substitute goalkeeper Gavin Richards from 25 yards. Richards had replaced Nicky Maynard, who went off at the break with a knee problem.

Grinstead pushed forward in search of an equaliser but the visitors nearly scored again late on when Morris directed a free-header wide of the back post.

Grinstead: Whibley, Belli, Gellatly, Cooney (sub:Grainger 77), Wackett, Pelling, Burns (sub: D.Sullivan 23), Causon, N. Sullivan (sub: Bull 70), Funnell, Saunders.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Horsham YMCA 5 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Grinstead's hopes of creating an upset were dealt a major blow after only 15 seconds. Straight from the kick off, YM punted a long ball over the top, Danny Wackett under no pressure slipped which allowed Paul Elliott to steal in and slot comfortably past Lee Whibley.

Elliott had a chance to double the lead 5 minutes later but from a similar position, Whibley did well to charge the shot down.

Grinstead rallied after this and were the better side for the next 15 minutes and were given a route back into the game when Simon Funnell was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Tom Rand. Mannie Neville squeezed the shot home from the spot.

They were level for just six minutes though as Horsham went ahead with a well crafted goal. Elliott, who caused problems all night, got to the by-line and picked out Matt Geard on the edge of the box and he showed great technique to volley home inside Whibley's right hand post.

Soon after Horsham were further ahead. Geard went down rather easily from a challenge from Steve Causon, although there was no doubt he caught him and Tom Lawley scored from the resultant penalty.

Grinstead had a mountain to climb but they started the second half brightly. However they still looked vulnerable on the break and were thankful to Whibley who pulled of three good saves most notably from Geard.

Mannie Neville had a shot cleared off the line which followed loud appeals for a penalty for a clear handball but Grinstead were right back in the game with 25 minutes remaining. Drew Cooney playing at right back, produced a pinpoint cross for Funnell who coolly placed his shot past Rand inside the far post.

Grinstead searched for the equaliser but were undone as the minutes ticked past by two soft goals from set pieces. A long free-kick from inside their own half was not dealt with and substitute Tom Manton had the easy task of tapping home unmarked at the far post. Then with seven minutes remaining a corner wasn't dealt with which allowed Elliott to score his second of the game.

Grinstead: Whibley, Cooney, Miles Neville, Mannie Neville, Wackett (Bull), Pelling, Belli, Causon (Burns), Funnell, Gellatly, Saunders (Granger)

:: Chichester City United 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Wasps lost 1-0 at Oaklands Park to a first-half goal from James Temple.

But they should have taken something from the game with Michael Belli, Dave Gellatly and Liam Bull all squandering excellent first-half chances.

The second period was more even with Billy Huntley hitting the post for Chichester, but Belli and substitute Ben Burns, making his first appearance of the season after injury, missed further opportunities for Wasps.

Grinstead: Grinstead: Whibley, Green (sub: Granger 7 (sub: Tadman 80)), Miles Neville, Mannie Neville, Wackett, Pelling, Belli, Causon, Bull (sub: Burns 50), Geilatly, Saunders.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Lingfield 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS enter 2009 facing a fight to retain their top-flight status after an unfortunate derby defeat left them in the relegation zone.

Pani Ortis's 38th-minute goal proved the difference at East Court on Saturday but Wasps deserved something for their efforts after dominating the second half. [Matchday photos]

Manager Gavin Neville was on holiday and reserve-team boss Phil Major, who was in charge of the side, was without six players. The absence of three strikers - Nick Sullivan, Simon Funnell and Tom Saunders - was most keenly felt.

Major decided to stick with the 4-5-1 formation Neville has employed in recent weeks and although it has definitely made them hard to beat it was only when Grinstead pushed another player alongside loan frontman Liam Bull that they started to build up a head of steam.

The defining moments came when Lingfield goalkeeper Dan Burnett produced two great saves in the space of a minute to preserve the lead with Matt Edwards the unfortunate Grinstead player on both occasions.

On 58 minutes Burnett deflected his shot for a corner after good work by Dan Sullivan and when the ball broke loose, Edwards saw his fiercely struck shot parried onto the crossbar.

With 11 minutes remaining Michael Belli picked out substitute Tadman whose first-time volley was only inches off target and then in injury time Steve Major forced Burnett to turn his shot over the bar.

If Wasps had shown similar conviction earlier in the game they would have picked up at least a point but for long stages of an undistinguished first half Lingfield kept their hosts at arm's length.

Ortis and Danny Jones both went close while Marc Pelling produced a superb tackle inside the box when Sam McCarthy was lining up a shot as Lingfield probed for an opening.

At the other end Tom Green had a goal disallowed for a push on Barnett and Brett Lovett produced a timely interception to prevent Bull from turning Edwards' cross into an empty net.

With so little between the teams the first goal was always going to be decisive and it came when McCarthy's corner from the left fell to Ortis and his shot took a deflection off a defender on its way past Lee Whibley.

Wasps huffed and puffed and there was no lack of effort or endeavour. Lee Granger impressed on his debut at leftback in a solid defensive display from Grinstead while Tadman and Dave Gellatly, returning after an eight-game ban, sparked their side into life late on.

But the visitors held on for a victory which leaves them comfortably placed in mid-table.

Grinstead: Whibley, Green, Wackett, Pelling, Grainger, D.Major (sub: Gellatly 77), Causon (sub: Tadman 77), Sullivan, Belli, Edwards; Bull (sub: S.Major 84).

Lingfield: Burnett, Lovett, Charlery, Taylor, Holland, Davis, Ortis, Courtney, Jones, McCarthy (sub: Champion 78), Gillard.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, St Francis Rangers 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
FOUR points from three games is a fairly modest achievement, but as it took us our previous nine league matches to accumulate four points we should probably regard recent results as an improvement in form including this hard-earned draw against a St Francis side with one of the best away records in the division.

We were 13 minutes away from collecting all three when St Francis defender Tom Djamaluddin found more space than he was probably expecting inside the six-yard box to head home a hotly-disputed free-kick.

On the balance of play it was no more than the visitors deserved. Having taken the lead through Michael Belli's fifth goal of the season, our policy seemed to be to hold what we had and we were doing a pretty good job of it.

For all their possession, the visitors did not threaten Lee Whibley's goal too often. Gavin persisted with the 4-5-1 formation despite the defeat to Worthing United in our last home game and with Steve Causon back in the side providing a defensive shield in midfield in what was his first start for three months we looked hard to break down.

With only Dave Gellatly, who seems to have been suspended for about two years even though it was only eight games, the only absentee Gavin was able to name his strongest squad since taking over from Steve Norris including Causon, back again after a knee operation.

Jake Forward, who scored against us in Saints' highly flattering 4-1 win in September, was denied by Whibs early on and Djamaluddin also went close from a corner but in our first attack of note we went ahead in the 22nd minute when visiting goalkeeper Simon Lehkyj failed to gather Dan Sullivan's cross and Belli tapped in his fifth goal of the season but first since the Vase win over Lancing on September 20 (the game in which Steve C was injured).

Drew Cooney was booked just before half-time and after the break he got involved in a mix-up with Miles Neville allowing Forward to race away. His shot was off target as was a close-range header by the normally prolific Sam Jeremiah.

Gavin brought on Nick Sullivan and Simon Funnell and switched to 4-4-2 and the replacements combined when Simon's cross found Nick whose shot was hacked clear. That was after 74 minutes and two minutes later St Francis were level.

One of the Saints' posters on Nomad accused us of a lack of ambition. But, as 'Buzz' countered, we are sick of not getting the reward for our hard work in games. At the moment it is all about accumulating points, improving confidence and climbing the league table.

January is shaping up to be hugely important with four home games and a trip to fellow strugglers Oakwood on the 3rd - a ground where our record is, to be frank, awful. First of all it's Lingfield on Saturday and a local derby.

Team: Lee Whibley, Tom Green, Miles Neville, Mannie Neville, Drew Cooney, Danny Wackett, Dan Sullivan, Steve Causon (sub: Nick Sullivan 62), Liam Bull (Funnell 67), Michael Belli, Tom Saunders. Unused subs: Marc Pelling, Lee Granger.

MAN OF THE MATCH (chosen by Stewart Ward): DANNY WACKETT

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Worthing United 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A WEEK after enjoying their best result of the season Wasps came crashing back to earth with a home defeat against bottom-of-the-table Worthing.

The visitors won for the first time in 22 league and cup games and Grinstead could have no complaints about the outcome. Manager Gavin Neville started with the 4-5-1 formation he had successfully employed against Eastbourne but it appeared to give the visitors the iniative rather than his own side.

And to make matters worse, skipper Drew Cooney was sent off for two bookable offences - both fouls - and will soon become the fourth Grinstead player to be suspended this season.

Grinstead should have relished Worthing's visit after stunning the leaders the week before but they struggled to create anything in the first half and although the visitors were no great shakes either they did take a precious lead after 25 minutes when veteran striker Gavin Geddes cleverly found a yard of space in the box to meet Ollie Wassell's cross with a powerful header past Lee Whibley.

Wasps' best opportunity of the half came on 38 minutes when United keeper Dean Fuller kept out Michael Belli's header with his knees, but Grinstead created little else.

Neville switched to a 4-4-2 formation in the second half by pushing Nick Sullivan up alongside Liam Bull but it had little discernable effect and on 58 minutes United stretched their lead with a controversial second goal.

Geddes sent Barney Beltwood clear as Wasps appealed for offside and the young striker showed great composure as he chipped Whibley from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-0.

Fuller's biggest scare came ten minutes later. Danny Wackett's free kick was met by Belli whose shot produced a fantastic reaction save from the goalkeeper. The ball rebounded to Tom Saunders whose shot cannoned out off the inside of the post.

Wasps probably sensed it was not going to be their day, a feeling emphasised when Cooney's challenge on Beltwood earned him a second yellow and an early shower.

Adversity galvanised the home side though and Mannie Neville did pull one back in the 80th minute when he connected with Saunders' cross, although United defender Andy Lutwyche may have got the final touch.

But the visitors' goal wasn't seriously threatened again and Grinstead were left to regret a great opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone.

Grinstead: Whibley, Green, Miles Neville, Mannie Neville, Cooney, Wackett, David Major, Belli, Bull, Nick Sullivan (sub: Edwards 77), Saunders. Unused subs: Steven Major, McEwan, Causon.

:: Eastbourne United Association 0, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS produced their best performance since promotion back to the County League's top flight and boss Gavin Neville hopes it is a springboard for a climb up the first division table.

Liam Bull's first-half goal toppled leaders Eastbourne United as Wasps collected their first three points since September 13 and kept a clean sheet for the first time in nine games.

They are still in the relegation zone but have a great chance to climb out of it when bottom of the table Worthing United visit East Court on Saturday.

Neville, celebrating his first victory since taking over from Steve Norris last month, felt his side got what they deserved. "It was our best performance this season. We set out with a plan and we stuck to it and all 11 players did their job," he said. "We worked very hard behind the ball and it paid off. Liam took his goal well and worked hard the whole game and the back four, which have taken some stick recently, were very solid. We have got what we deserved but it won't mean a lot if we don't build on it on Saturday."

Wasps certainly got their tactics spot-on, flooding the midfield to stifle United's creativity and relying on the counter-attack while forcing their hosts to look to the long ball as an outlet.

The home side had the lion's share of possession, especially in the second half, but Lee Whibley did not have many saves to make on his return after injury.

In front of him Drew Cooney was outstanding at the heart of the defence while Bull produced a cracking finish for his second goal of the season.

Steve Major, operating on the left-hand side of Wasps' five-man midfield, beat his marker after 27 minutes to find Bull on the edge of the box. His touch took it past a defender and his volley beat keeper Nick Maynard as it went in off the far post.

Maynard had already tipped a 25-yard drive from Sullivan onto the bar and on the hour Michael Belli's goalbound effort was charged down.

By then United were exerting themselves but they lacked ideas on how to break Grinstead down.

Whibley made decent saves from Nick Alexander's long-range effort and a shot by Sam Crabb while Brad Manton's effort was straight at Whibley when anything either side would have been a problem.

Wasps were hanging on towards the end with some terrific blocks in the six-yard box keeping out Nick Alexander's shot but Bull had a great chance to add a second in the last minute when he latched on to Belli's pass only to shoot straight at Maynard with the unmarked Sullivan in a better position.

It didn't matter. A few moments later Wasps were celebrating a superb victory which will do wonders for confidence ahead of key games against Worthing United and fellow strugglers East Preston in the next fortnight.

Grinstead: Whibley; Green, Cooney, Wackett, Miles Neville; Sullivan, Mannie Neville, Belli, Major (sub: McEwan 77), Saunders (Edwards 81), Bull.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Chichester City United 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
TWO goals in the last three minutes stunned Wasps when it looked as if they would celebrate their first league win since September 13.

Grinstead squandered two great chances to make the game safe at 2-1 and were punished when Russell Hardwell equalised from a hotly-disputed free-kick before James Temple stunned East Court with Chi's injury-time winner.

Manager Gavin Neville said: "Our performances are improving but to lose that game when we led 2-1 with a couple of minutes to go is hugely disappointing.

"It was a very open game - too open for me - but we are still switching off and conceding easy goals and while that continues we are going to make life hard for ourselves.

"But there were some positives. We looked a threat up front, were dangerous from set pieces and we still have five players to come back who will all strengthen the side."

Missing on Saturday were goalkeeper Lee Whibley (stiff neck), Steve Causon (knee), the suspended Dave Gellatly and unavailable Drew Cooney and Liam Bull.

Cooney and Bull return to the squad for Saturday's away game against new leaders Eastbourne United Association (3pm) while Neville expects Causon to be back in light training soon after recovering from an operation.

In contrast to last Tuesday's uninspiring game against Three Bridges, Saturday's was full of goalmouth incident and the sides might easily have shared ten goals.

Chichester's Mike O'Neil set the tone when he hit the post in the first minute but Wasps responded and Dan Sullivan headed Tom Saunders' inviting cross wide from three yards before they took a 16th-minute lead when defender Marc Pelling headed Sullivan's free kick past Matt Short for his first goal of the season.

Ben Vassallo levelled ten minutes later when he turned sharply onto Richard Parker's free-kick before squeezing his shot past Ray Collier, but before half-time both sides had hit the woodwork.

Simon Funnell's shot from an acute angle struck the bar before Gary Oliver met Russ Hardwell's free kick but his header also hit the bar.

Funnell was again unfortunate nine minutes into the second half when Short tipped his shot onto the post but Dan Sullivan put Wasps ahead after 58 minutes when he took a Saunders' pass into his stride before hitting a dipping shot from 25 yards inside the top corner.

Although Grinstead were content to defend their lead they still had chances to put the game to bed.

Short rescued Chichester again when he deflected Funnell's shot around the post before substitute Nick Sullivan missed a great chance from three yards from Saunders' cross which he dragged wide.

Then disaster struck. Mitchell was fouled on the edge of the box and the impressive Hardwell curled his free-kick past Collier, who seemed to be hampered by an injury and may have thought the shot was going wide.

It got worse. In time added James Temple latched onto a long ball down the left and with Collier rooted to his line the Chichester midfielder found the net with a shot just inside the near post.

Grinstead: Collier, McEwan (sub: Green 65), Miles Neville, Wackett, Pelling; Dan Sullivan, Belli, Mannie Neville, Saunders; Steven Major (Nick Sullivan 78), Funnell. Unused subs: David Major, Granger.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Three Bridges 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS picked up their first league points since September 13 after substitute Simon Funnell stunned high-flying Three Bridges with an 89th-minute equaliser at East Court on Tuesday.

Funnell's shot from outside the box took a deflection off Tyler Kay on its way past goalkeeper Mark Fox but Grinstead will feel justice was done after they created the better chances in what was, for long periods, a fairly undistinguished match.

Nathan Davis was denied by goalkeeper Ray Collier inside the first 30 seconds but after that the first half struggled to get going with little creativity or goalmouth activity at either end.

Bridges went ahead two minutes after half-time after a terrible misjudgement by Collier who allowed a hopeful punt forward by former Grinstead defender Bobby Buckingham to bounce over his head and Dean Wright scrambled the ball into an empty net.

Buckingham then cleared Steve Major's effort off the line while Liam Bull mis-kicked when Major set him up with only Fox to beat as Wasps produced a spirited response to going behind.

Without playing that well, Bridges seemed on course for victory when Wasps finally got a break in front of goal and they might even have won it in injury time when Marc Pelling mis-kicked in the six-yard box when any sort of connection would almost certainly have won the game.

Grinstead: Collier, Wackett, Miles Neville, Pelling, Cooney; Belli, Dan Sullivan, Mannie Neville (sub: Green 70), Saunders, Bull, Major (sub: Funnell 70)

:: Aylesbury Vale 4, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
IT looks like a hammering, but Wasps matched their opponents for long spells in Saturday's FA Vase second round tie but never recovered from losing a goal after just three minutes.

A controversial penalty put Vale in charge just before half-time and they picked off Wasps on the counter-attack with two more goals in the last 15 minutes as Grinstead committed more men forward in search of a way back into the tie.

Reflecting on a fifth successive defeat, boss Gavin Neville admitted that Grinstead's poor start had left them chasing the game.

He said: "We spent a lot of time before the game focusing on defending and not conceding goals but it seems that the players are not taking on board what is being said.

"We were second best in the first 15 minutes and that is where we lost the game.

"Then we matched them and played well for an hour and created a number of chances but it was only a matter of time as we pushed forward that they would catch us on the break.

"I didn't think they were four goals better than us but when your struggling things seem to go against you."

Wasps suffered another injury blow with goalkeeper Lee Whibley, back in the side after missing two games with a calf problem, hurting his neck late in the first half as he fell awkwardly after punching away a cross.

Ray Collier took over but one of his first tasks was to pick the ball out of the net when Neil Roberts converted a 41st minute penalty, awarded for shirt-pulling by Marc Pelling.

His effort added to Martyn Kinsey's third-minute opener which came when neither Pelling nor central defensive partner Drew Cooney could clear a routine ball deep into the visitors' half.

Wasps rallied and Michael Belli and Dan Sullivan both saw shots blocked while Cooney's header from Dan Sullivan's corner was well saved by Vale's Eddie Farmer.

Grinstead's front two of Liam Bull and Steve Major caused Vale plenty of problems in the second half as the visitors sought a goal to get them back into the game.

Tom Saunders playing wide left linked up with Bull on 53 minutes but Bull's shot lacked power then Saunders was denied by Farmer at the end of a neat four-man move.

Bull thought he had scored after some good work down the left by Michael Belli, but the referee's assistant flagged for offside.

Grinstead's best chance came on 66 minutes when Bull linked up with Saunders again but his shot struck the foot of the post.

Inevitably, as Wasps pushed forward in increasing numbers they left themselves vulnerable and Dan Wright made the game safe in the 71st minute from a Vale corner.

And in injury time Aaron Usami scored a fourth to complete a deserved but somewhat flattering victory for the South Midlands League side.

Grinstead: Whibley (sub: Collier 38), Wackett (McEwan 75), Miles Neville, Mannie Neville, Cooney, Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Belli, Bull, Steve Major, Saunders, Unused subs: David Major, Granger, Johnson.

Rydon man of the match: Michael Belli

:: Selsey 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
There were plenty of encouraging signs for boss Gavin Neville despite a fourth successive defeat for Wasps in Saturday's League Cup third round tie.

Grinstead played with ten men for an hour following the controversial dismissal of defender Marc Pelling for a professional foul, but took the game to their hosts and only a superb save late on by Selsey's Steve Phillips prevented extra time.

All this after Wasps' team bus broke down on the way to the game and the squad piled into the back of a transit van driven by goalkeeper Ray Collier to complete the journey to the south coast.

Neville said: "It wasn't ideal preparations but we showed a good attitude and played some decent football.

"We set out to play higher up the pitch and we got stronger as the game wore on. We are getting one or two players back now and when we start getting a bit of luck we will win games."

The turning point came on 34 minutes when a long ball over the top sent Selsey's Rob Brown clear. He looked at least three yards offside but the assistant, struggling to keep up with play, kept his flag down and Pelling was shown a red card for a professional foul, even though Danny Wackett was coming round as a covering defender.

In a similar incident at Arundel a fortnight ago when Nick Sullivan was brought down the referee kept his red card in his pocket. "It was a poor decision," said Neville. "All we ask for is some consistency because we work hard all week to prepare the team and it is frustrating when something like that happens."

Selsey broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Tom Ridley headed home but Wasps did not cave in as the home side might have expected and in the closing stages took the game to their hosts.

Michael Belli slalomed his way past several challenges but his powerful left-foot shot was tipped onto the bar by Phillips and five minutes from time sub Steve Major's cross found Liam Bull but he directed his header just over.

It was Grinstead's best performance for some weeks and Neville says they will approach Saturday's Vase game with renewed confidence. "It will be difficult as they have home advantage but we have nothing to lose and if we play as well as we did on Saturday we are capable of getting a result."

Grinstead: Collier, Wackett, Miles Neville, Mannie Neville, Cooney, Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Belli, Rigler (sub: Steven Major 45), Bull, Edwards; Unused subs: McEwan, David Major.

Rydon man of the match: Miles Neville.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Oakwood 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A GAME which started so promisingly for Wasps ended with a seventh successive league defeat which leaves them firmly in the County League's bottom two.

Manager Gavin Neville brought back experienced trio of Mannie Neville, Simon Funnell and Liam Bull after injury and suspension but they have played just eight games between them this season and when their influence waned in the second half Oakwood took charge.

Neville also had to bring Ray Collier out of the reserves to play in goal because first choice Lee Whibley was suffering from a calf injury. Collier did well and was not at fault for any of the goals.

Wasps got the perfect start when they went ahead after six minutes, Funnell capitalising on a defensive error to set up Dan Sullivan for his second goal of the season.

Bull missed a great chance to score a second when he mis-hit his shot straight at keeper Glen Fitzcoy after good work by Michael Belli while Funnell skimmed the top of the bar with a shot from 30 yards.

But Oakwood began to dominate in the second half, particularly in midfield, and Wasps eventually creaked under pressure to concede two goals in eight minutes.

Nolan Mortimer equalised when he headed in Liam Buchan's corner (51) and Nathan Pullen put Oaks ahead when his shot from the edge of the box beat Collier via the underside of the bar.

But Grinstead showed admirable resolve to equalise in the 67th minute when Funnell's pass set up strike partner Bull who scored his first goal of the season.

The home side spent the rest of the game protecting their point but they cracked three minutes from time when Buchan's cross to the far post was headed in by Michael Smith with Oakwood players queueing up to score.

Grinstead: Collier, McEwan, Wackett, Mannie Neville, Cooney, Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Belli, Funnell, Bull, David Major (sub: Edwards 65). Unused subs: Rigler, Steve Major, Miles Neville, Tighe.

:: Wick 3, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A GRINSTEAD side missing seven first-choice players suffered their sixth successive defeat as they slipped into the bottom two after defeat at wet and windy Crabtree Park.

With Dave Gellatly and Mannie Neville suspended, Liam Bull, Miles Neville and Steve Causon injured and Tom Saunders and Simon Funnell unavailable, Gavin Neville did not have too many options in his first match in charge.

And although his young side acquited themselves well against in-form opponents, they were punished for defensive mistakes.

To compound their disappointment, goalkeeper Lee Whibley had to go off ten minutes from time with a calf injury and centre-half Marc Pelling went in goal.

The contest was over by then. Former Horsham striker Steve Davies twice profited on slack defending to score after six and 27 minutes. And defender Julian Curnow made the points safe when he scored from a free header inside the six-yard box after 72 minutes.

Wasps enjoyed plenty of possession and played their part in what was an entertaining game despite the wind and rain. Their best chance fell to David Major whose 25-yard drive was saved at full stretch midway through the first half.

Shortly afterwards, Wick midfielder Phil Turner was stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle which meant a 40 minute delay while an ambulance arrived.

Neville said: "Obviously the result was disappointing but I couldn't have asked for more from the players - they gave 100 per cent.

"But we are missing a lot of senior players at the moment and it is making life difficult for us. But I am sure we will start climbing the table once we get a few of them back."

Midfielder Causon had a knee operation last week which will rule him out for six weeks while Bull is a week away from returning following an ankle problem.

Gellatly is suspended and Saunders will need to test his fitness in the reserves first after a hamstring problem.

Grinstead: Whibley (Johnston 80), McEwan, Wackett (sub: Tighe 60), Belli, Cooney, Pelling, D.Major, D.Sullivan, Rigler, N.Sullivan (Adsett 73), Edwards.

:: Arundel 6, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS crashed to their fifth successive league defeat and had midfielder Dave Gellatly sent off for the second time this season on a dispiriting afternoon at Mill Road.

A patched-up Grinstead side missing six players suffered a further blow when defender Marc Pelling was unable to continue after half-time because of sickness.

Wasps were trailing 2-0 midway through the second half when Nick Sullivan was sent clear of the home defence after a slick four-man passing move. He was brought down by a defender with only goalkeeper Matt Axell to beat but referee Neil Wallace only chose to show a yellow card when everyone was expecting red. To make matters worse, David Major's fierce shot following the resultant free kick was well saved by Axell.

Would it have made a difference to the result? Probably not, but Wasps were enjoying their best spell of the game and the last 25 minutes could have been a lot different had they pulled a goal back and Arundel reduced to ten men.

Instead, Wasps found themselves a man short when a frustrated Gellatly got a straight red for barging an opponent and could have no complaints about the decision.

Two goals in two minutes from Josh Biggs and James Crane made it 4-0 and in the closing stages Matt Huckett and Gary Norgate scored their second goals of the game, after both had netted in the first half, to earn a polished Arundel side their sixth successive win.

It was always going to be a tall order for a Grinstead side without defenders Danny Wackett and Miles Neville, the suspended Mannie Neville and strikers Liam Bull and Tom Saunders.

Blair Cooney came into the defence alongside brother Drew - the fourth pair of siblings to play for Grinstead this season - for his first appearance of the season but he looked understandably apprehensive at times and his slip allowed Huckett to get Arundel's fifth goal.

Goalkeeper Lee Whibley pulled off some good saves but his hesitancy resulted in both Arundel's first-half strikes.

Manager Steve Norris had started with Dan Sullivan and Charlie Adsett filling the fullback roles but realised they were square pegs in round holes and soon reverted to a 4-4-2 formation with both pushing into midfield and Blair Cooney and Major dropping back into the defence.

One encouraging sign was the return after injury of striker Simon Funnell as a second-half sub but that was about the only crumb of comfort for Grinstead, who face another difficult away game on Saturday at Wick (3pm).

Grinstead: Whibley, B.Cooney, Adsett, Belli, D. Cooney, Pelling (sub: McEwan 50), D. Sullivan, Dave Gellatly, N. Sullivan (Edwards 80), Rigler (Funnell 50), D.Major.

:: Bexhill United 0, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS won on the road for the first time as two second-half goals sunk second division Bexhill in this John O'Hara League Cup second round tie.

It was a comfortable enough victory in the end for Steve Norris's side which included three sets of brothers.

Dan and Nick Sullivan both started, striker Steven Major came on in the second half to join brother David while Mannie Neville was an unused sub and younger sibling Miles played at leftback.

Major was joined in central midfield by Michael Belli, back in the side after recovering from injury in place of the injured Dave Gellatly, while further mixed news on the injury front was the return of striker Liam Bull, who scored for the reserves in his first game since dislocating his shoulder in pre-season, but he went off with an ankle injury.

After successive league defeats Grinstead needed the confidence boost of a victory, although a trip to Selsey in the third round was hardly the reward they were hoping for.

Wasps looked more threatening from the start and Grant Rigler wasted a good chance after ten minutes when he fastened on to a long clearance from Lee Whibley but put his shot wide with only goalkeeper Matt Shoesmith to beat.

Nick Sullivan twice went close to breaking the deadlock before the break. He had a shot cleared off the line and then forced Shoesmith to push his shot round the corner after breaking into space inside the box.

Sullivan then turned creator on 55 minutes when his excellent cross picked out Alex McEwan but the midfielder screwed his shot over from just a yard out.

It was shaping up to be a frustrating afternoon for the visitors, but McEwan made amends when he broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Rigler and Belli were both involved as Wasps opened up space down the left and McEwan showed great composure to lob Shoesmith, even though the Bexhill keeper was not too far off his line.

Whibley was rarely extended but he did make a good save to keep out a header from veteran Peter Heritage but Wasps were well worth only their second clean sheet of the season so far.

Shoesmith made a great save with ten minutes to go when Steven Major let fly from 25 yards and then a good run by Charlie Adsett set up a chance for Dan Sullivan which went wide.

Sullivan made amends in the last minute though, finishing off an excellent cross from Belli to make it 2-0 and score his first of the season.

Grinstead: Whibley, Wackett, Cooney, Pelling, Miles Neville, Dan Sullivan, Belli, David Major, McEwan (sub: Adsett 72), Nick Sullivan (sub: Steven Major 72), Rigler. Unused sub: Mannie Neville.

:: Horsham YMCA 3, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A goal on his full senior debut by 17-year-old David Major was not enough to prevent Grinstead from suffering their fourth successive league defeat at Gorings Mead on Tuesday.

Major stunned YM goalkeeper Dan Humphries in the 24th minute when he fired into the roof of the net from 20 yards after a cross had only been partially cleared by the home defence.

Paul Elliott had looked in a suspiciously offside position when he gave the home side a 19th-minute lead but Grinstead hit back and Nick Sullivan went close to giving them an interval lead.

A controversial penalty put YM back in front after 53 minutes when Matt Geard went down under Marc Pelling's challenge and Tom Lawley gave Lee Whibley no chance from the spot.

Wasps were level three minutes later from Miles Neville's quickly taken free-kick. He released Charlie Adsett down the left and his low cross was touched home at the far post by Tom Saunders.

Geard, who had already been booked, was fortunate to escape further punishment after kicking Dave Gellatly. The incident was spotted by the assistant, but referee John Flynn let Geard off with a warning.

So Wasps were understandably furious when Geard, running unimpeded through midfield, beat Whibley with a fine strike from 25 yards in the 76th minute to make it 3-2.

Major and substitute Grant Rigler nearly snatched a point with long-range efforts and Wasps forced several corners, all of which came to nothing.

But manager Steve Norris would have been pleased with the way his injury-hit side responded to last Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Shoreham.

Grinstead: Whibley, Wackett, Miles Neville, Cooney, Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Major, Gellatly, Adsett (sub: Rigler 77), Nick Sullivan, Saunders. Unused subs: McEwan, Funnell.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Shoreham 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season after they were outplayed by a stylish Shoreham side at East Court.

Manager Steve Norris had no complaints about the result or the red card dished out to midfielder Dave Gellatly midway through the second half.

Gellatly became the second Wasps player to be sent off in successive league games, lashing out at an opponent in retaliation after he had been brought down.

Norris said: "Dave was getting very frustrated and the referee had no choice really."

Wasps have now failed to score in their last three Division One games and Norris added: "We didn't create a great deal although Shoreham were probably the best side we have played this season. They never allowed us to get any momentum."

Still without injured quartet Steve Causon, Liam Bull, Michael Belli and Simon Funnell, Wasps did well to get to half-time goalless after the Musselmen had dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Darren Annis, Lee Denyer and Kevin Keehan all tested goalkeeper Lee Whibley as the movement of Shoreham's front players kept the home defenders on their toes.

Wasps started the second half more positively without creating too much before going behind in the 57th minute when Dean Smith managed to hook the ball past Whibley whilst he was on the ground after Grinstead fail to clear their lines in the six-yard box.

The home side nearly equalised on the hour when Gellatly found some space to fire the ball across goal but Nick Sullivan could only divert it from a tight angle into the side netting.

But it was a rare home threat and Shoreham doubled their lead on 65 minutes from the penalty spot when Drew Cooney was adjudged to have brought down Owen Callaghan and Rob Boddy gave Whibley no chance from the spot.

When Gellatly was sent off moments later it was game over and Callaghan got a third for the visitors in injury time.

Grinstead: Whibley, Wackett (sub: D.Major 70), Miles Neville, Pelling, Cooney; Dan Sullivan, Mannie Neville, Gellatly, McEwan (Adestt 70), Nick Sullivan, Rigler (Saunders 78).

:: East Grinstead Town 4, Rye United 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS took care of business against County League division two opponents for the second time in this season's FA Vase, although Saturday's win was a lot more comfortable than their extra-time success against Lancing in the previous round.

Grinstead seemed to be coasting into the second round for the first time since 1974 when Alex McEwan and Dave Gellatly put them into a 2-0 lead.

But Rye were level by half-time only for Wasps to regain the lead three minutes after the break. They made the game safe with a fourth goal late on by which time Rye midfielder Duncan McArthur had been sent off.

Mannie Neville enjoyed a goalscoring return to midfield and Danny Wackett made his comeback after injury at rightback to give manager Steve Norris further reasons for encouragement.

Wasps got on top from the start with Marc Pelling and Dave Gellatly, relishing in the opportunity to get further forward from midfield, going close.

But the opener on 23 minutes came from an unlikely source when McEwan joined the attack down the left and found space inside the box to fire past goalkeeper Jani Seitsonen.

Rye gave a warning six minutes later when McArthur got on the end of Danny Woodley's cross and forced a decent save out of Lee Whibley.

But Wasps doubled their lead after 35 minutes when Gellatly got possession on the edge of the box and cut inside his marker before rifling a powerful shot inside Seitsonen's far post.

Rye stormed back, however, and were level with two goals inside three minutes before half-time.

McArthur made both of them, slipping Dane Smith into space to fire past Whibley (41) before picking out Woodley with a cross at the far post. Whibley saved his shot but the loose ball was poked home by Scott Price.

Grinstead were back in front on 48 minutes when McEwan turned provider, picking out Neville's late run with a superb cross which Neville headed powerfully past Seitsonen.

Rye were not finished and Woodley forced a decent save from Whibley before their hopes suffered a blow when McArthur was sent off for lashing out after being fouled.

Wasps made the tie safe four minutes from time when substitute Tom Saunders broke away and fed Nick Sullivan who produced a composed finish for his second goal of the season.

Gellatly is in the Sussex squad for Wednesday's SW Counties Championship game against the London FA but team-mate Simon Funnell has withdrawn because of injury.

Grinstead: Whibley, Wackett, Miles Neville, Pelling, Cooney; Dan Sullivan, Gellatly, Mannie Neville, McEwan; Nick Sullivan, Rigler (sub: Saunders 79).

:: Hassocks 3, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Although the home side were deserved winners, some baffling decision making by the referee Mark Thompson simply added to our sense of frustration at the Beacon on Tuesday night.

We didn't start well and found ourselves behind after 14 minutes when Jamie Hillwood was allowed to make unchecked progress on the left-hand side of the box before firing powerfully past Lee Whibley.

Hassocks got a second on 36 minutes when Anthony Hibbert drove a free-kick from the edge of the box past the defensive wall and Whibley.

We'd had chances of our own with Tobi Hutchinson, Tom Saunders and Dave Gellatly all going close but in the second half the performance of the officials left us baffled.

Dave Gellatly, Marc Pelling and Lee were all booked but it was the dismissal of Neville, who came on at half-time to make his first appearance of the season, which shocked boss our management team.

Furious after we had surrendered possession with 15 minutes to go, Mannie swore at a team-mate yet the referee initially waved a red card in the direction of Dave.

His assistant eventually pointed out his mistake and after apologising to Gellatly, the referee sent off Mannie leaving Grinstead baffled as to how he could have known the offender was Mannie when he thought it was Dave.

Neville and fit-again Danny Wackett, who also came on at the break, made a big difference in the second half but the damage had already been done.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes (sub: Wackett 45), McEwan, Edwards, Cooney, Pelling, Adsett (Mannie Neville 45), Gellatly, N.Sullivan, Saunders, Hutchinson. Unused subs: Rigler, Funnell.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Ringmer 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Charlie Adsett had two of Wasps' best moments in the first half but failed to control an early volley before blazing a better chance over the bar midway through the half after Nick Sullivan had found him unmarked in the box.

Both sides relished an excellent surface but lacked a cutting edge. Joe Dryer had Ringmer's best first-half effort when his left-foot shot was saved by Lee Whibley who then turned Ryan McMillan's long-range chip over his crossbar.

Ringmer created most of the second-half chances with Dryer going close before supplying the breakthrough on 68 minutes when his left-wing cross was met by David Altendorf who guided a header off the far post from eight yards.

Wasps huffed and puffed in search of a response but Belli's departure was a serious blow and Simon Greatwich nearly made the game safe with five minutes to go when he burst clear only to shoot against the near post.

A second would have been harsh on Wasps on a day when the visitors' superiority in the final third was probably the difference.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes, Neville, Pelling, Cooney, Gellatly, Belli (sub: Saunders 54), D.Sullivan, Adsett, N.Sullivan, Hutchinson. Subs: Edwards, McEwan.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Crawley Down 0 (AET); 3 - 4 on penalties :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A FIRST clean sheet of the season was not much of a consolation for Wasps who missed out on a home tie with Ryman League Worthing after Tuesday night's Senior Cup exit against local rivals Crawley Down.

Steve Norris's men created enough chances to have won several games but a combination of the woodwork and great saves by Down keeper Shayne Goldsmith denied them.

Then in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, Wasps missed three of their kicks before Adam Tiley converted the 12th penalty to clinch a 4-3 shoot-out win for his side.

Grinstead began brightly and forced five corners early on, none of which came to anything.

Infact it wasn't until the 27th minute, when Miles Neville got forward to fire a shot into the side netting, that we really threatened but that signalled a spell of concerted pressure by the home side.

Drew Cooney met a corner on 32 minutes with a header which hit the crossbar then top scorer Michael Belli burst into the box but saw his drive deflected wide.

Tobi Hutchinson then fired over after good work by Dave Gellatly and there was no respite for the visitors at the start of the second half.

Goldsmith saved a goalbound header from one of his own defenders then Charlie Adsett's well-executed overhead kick came back off the bar.

Norris must have sensed at that stage that it was not going to be Grinstead's night and his mood did not improve when Cooney limped off with an injury midway through the second half.

It wasn't all one-way traffic. Darren Tidey, who equalised in the 2-2 draw when the sides met a fortnight ago, tried a cute lob over Lee Whibley which also cleared the crossbar.

There were further half-chances for Marc Pelling and substitute Nick Sullivan but as Crawley Down sensed they might capitalise on Wasps' inability to take their chances, Neville cleared a shot off the line and Whibley produced an excellent save from Tidey's effort in the last five minutes.

Into extra time and still Grinstead created chances, the best of which fell to Dan Sullivan whose 114th-minute free-kick crashed against the upright but no one was alert enough to turn in the rebound.

Substitute Tom Saunders and Nick Sullivan also went close against their former club but penalties it was and the worst fears of the home supporters were realised when Gellatly fired wide and Marc Pelling and substitute Mark Holmes saw their efforts saved by Goldsmith.

Whibley kept out Matt Beeston's effort and Gary Stacey put his penalty wide but with the 12th kick of the shoot-out Tiley beat Whibley and Wasps were out.

Penalty sequence: Marc Pelling - saved 0-0; Adam New - scores 0-1; Dave Gellatly wide 0-1; Gary Stacey wide 0-1; Nick Sullivan scores 1-1; Matt Beeston - saved 1-1; Dan Sullivan scores 2-1; Darren Tidey scores 2-2; Charlie Adsett scores 3-2; David Juniper scores 3-3; Mark Holmes saved 3-3; Adam Tiley scores 3-4.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes, Neville, Belli, Cooney (sub: Thompson 68), Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Gellatly, Hutchinson (sub: Saunders 96), Edwards (sub: Nick Sullivan 56), Adsett; Unused subs McEwan, Scott Owens

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Lancing 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS have made a habit of coming back to win games this season and they did it again to reach the first round proper of the FA Vase.

Trailing at half-time against their second division opponents, Michael Belli scored his third goal of the season to equalise before Tobi Hutchinson rewarded persistent pressure with the winner three minutes from the end of extra time.

Boss Steve Norris said: "We've been slow starters in a lot of games this season but I couldn't fault our commitment and effort on Saturday, even though we went a goal behind. We created lots of chances as Lancing did and although we left it late I felt we thoroughly deserved to go through."

Wasps were quickly out of the blocks and Miles Neville and then Dave Gellatly both forced excellent saves out of Lancing goalkeeper Luke Green in the first four minutes.

But Wasps' habit of conceding soft goals returned on ten minutes.

Wasps lost possession on the halfway line from a throw-in and although there was a suspicion of offside, Rob Partridge had time and space to beat Lee Whibley with a confident finish.

Partridge was often a threat while Lancing's centre-half Tony Miles proved a formidable barrier at the other end and Grinstead suffered another blow when Causon limped off with a knee injury after 33 minutes to be replaced by Tom Saunders.

Drew Cooney's 42nd-minute header was cleared off the line by Asa Turley-George as Wasps ended the half on top.

Lancing were more of a threat in the second period and Partridge crashed a header against the bar to warn Wasps that they still had work to do.

Tom Saunders side-footed over from six yards but the equaliser finally arrive on 72 minutes when Marc Pelling, up for a set piece, laid the ball off to Belli who rifled his shot past Green.

Matt Edwards nearly put Wasps ahead moments later but his long-range effort struck the woodwork.

Both sides could have won it before the end with Gellatly and Adam Burton going close but the longer extra time went on the stronger Wasps became.

Mark Holmes and Charlie Adsett both went close but three minutes from the end Dan Sullivan made a surge into the box before finding sub Hutchinson who produced a sublime finish with his left foot.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes, Neville (sub: Thompson 105), Causon (sub: Saunders 33). Cooney, Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Gellatly, Edwards (sub: Hutchinson 83), Belli, Adsett.

:: Hailsham 3, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS again paid the price for a poor first-half performance as they went out of the RUR Cup to their first division rivals.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Dave Gellatly marked his return to the side after suspension with his first goal of the season and Wasps dominated much of the second half.

But the equaliser did not arrive and instead Hailsham clinched victory with a third goal 16 minutes from time.

Gellatly returned in central midfield alongside Michael Belli with Steve Causon switching to rightback and Alex Thompson dropping to the bench. There was also a first start of the campaign for goalkeeper Scott Owens because regular No.1 Lee Whibley was ill.

Grinstead started brightly and won a couple of corners but they fell behind after ten minutes. Callum Holles was allowed to make an unchallenged run into the box and although Owens parried his well-struck shot, Holles reacted quickest to slot home the rebound. Wasps conceded another poor goal after 18 minutes. Tobi Hutchinson lost possession on the half way line, the ball was quickly played forward to Ashley Jarvis and his confident finish gave Owens no chance.

Holles could have had a second before the break but whatever boss Steve Norris said at half-time had the desired effect.

Grinstead began the second half strongly and had pulled a goal back within two minutes.

Tom Saunders won possession from a Hailsham throw and found Gellatly who shrugged off a defender's challenge before firing home.

There was only one side in it for the next 25 minutes as Wasps probed for an equaliser.

Gellatly twice went close and Saunders also had an opportunity and in the last 20 minutes Norris went for broke, pushing Causon into midfield and leaving three at the back.

But the next goal went to Hailsham and killed off any hopes Grinstead had. Once again they were undone by a long ball forward which Scott McDonald, a prolific striker over the years for various County League clubs, fastened on to and gave Owens no chance with a powerful shot.

He might have added a fourth late on but Owens denied him with an excellent save, leaving Wasps looking to return to their best form on Saturday when they entertain second division Lancing in the FA Vase at East Court, kick off 3.00pm.

Grinstead: Owens, Causon, Neville, Belli, Cooney, Pelling, D Sullivan, Gellatly (sub: Holmes 90), Hutchinson, Saunders (sub: Edwards 75), Adsett (sub: Thompson 40)

:: East Grinstead Town 2, East Preston 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS are nothing if not resilient as they showed again at East Court on Saturday when they came from behind for the second home game running to collect three precious County League points.

Steve Norris's men have picked up all seven points in their five games so far after conceding the first goal and they did so again thanks to second-half goals from Steve Causon and Charlie Adsett.

Grinstead are now 12th in the first division ahead of three successive cup games and their latest performance pleased Norris.

"Perhaps we don't like playing in sunny weather but in the first half it was a repeat of our last home game (3-0 defeat to Colliers Wood) when we lacked energy," he said.

Norris made a tactical switch at half-time by going to a 3-5-2 formation and pushing Michael Belli alongside Dan Sullivan and Causon in the centre of midfield.

Belli's energy and ability to make runs ahead of the strikers transformed Wasps.

Norris added: "East Preston weren't a bad side and deserved to be in front but once we had equalised we dominated the game and deserved to win."

It was hard to explain the lethargic nature of Wasps' first-half display. Perhaps extra time in last Tuesday's cup tie took more out of them than imagined but the visitors, who came to East Court without a league win, dominated the opening period and were ahead after just six minutes.

Between them, central defenders Marc Pelling and Drew Cooney should have dealt with a routine long ball forward but the impressive Jake Hewet got their first and with Lee Whibley off his line, chipped the stranded goalkeeper into an empty net.

Hewet had two chances to score his second and with Charlie Oatway junior, the son of the former Brighton captain of the same name, epitomising EP's energetic approach Norris was glad to get to half-time and the chance to sort things out.

Grinstead equalised within three minutes of the re-start. Tobi Hutchinson's corner found Causon making a late run towards the near post and his header went in off the upright.

Causon was Grinstead's best player - neat and tidy in possession and full of running and his first goal for the club galvanised those around him.

Not least wide man Charlie Adsett who is fast becoming a favourite of the Grinstead crowd with his energetic displays.

He can also finish as he showed again with his second goal in two matches midway through the half to clinch the points. Alex Thompson created the opportunity down the left and when his pass dropped to Adsett 12 yards out he directed a firm header in off the post.

Neither side created a great deal more in a game of few chances but Norris wasn't complaining. His side have made an inconsistent start to the campaign but a second league win gives him something to build on.

Grinstead: Whibley, Belli, Neville, Cooney, Pelling, Adsett, D.Sullivan, Causon, Thompson, Hutchinson, Saunders. Subs (all used): Hancock, Holmes, S.Major.

:: Crawley Down 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
THESE two local rivals fought out a hard-fought Senior Cup first round tie at The Haven which ended with honours even and a replay at East Court on Tuesday 23rd September (7.15pm).

The home side made the better start and James Upton had already missed a great chance when he gave Down the lead with a stunning free-kick on 13 minutes which he curled right-footed over the wall and into the left-hand corner of Lee Whibley's net.

It acted as a wake-up call for the visitors and they gradually began to carve out chances.

The equaliser came on 34 minutes when Tom Saunders met Dan Sullivan's free-kick with a powerful header which flew past goalkeeper Shayne Goldsmith.

Adsett capped a promising first start by putting Wasps in front five minutes after half-time. Nick Sullivan's cross-field ball found him in space on the right 25 yards out and his angled shot flew into the top corner.

But Crawley Down never threw in the towel and they produced a spirited response. Upton missed a good chance from close range before they deservedly equalised eight minutes from time when substitute Darren Tidey got his head onto Guy Harding's cross and the ball flew past Whibley from close range.

Neither side looked particularly threatening in extra time although there were chances at both ends. Sub Andy Hancock headed wide from Tobi Hutchinson's cross for Wasps before Upton headed just over from David Juniper's cross.

Grinstead: Whibley, Belli, Neville, Causon, Cooney, Pelling, D.Sullivan, Adsett (sub: Hancock 80), N.Sullivan (sub: Funnell 73), Thompson (sub: Hutchinson 95). Unused sub: Holmes.

:: St Francis Rangers 4, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS suffered a heavy defeat to the County League leaders, but boss Steve Norris insisted: "I was pleased with our performance."

Grinstead dominated for long spells in horrendous conditions but their hosts shaded it where it matters most - in front of goal.

A last-minute own goal was scant consolation for Wasps' performance but Norris saw plenty of positives.

He said: "I asked for a reaction after our FA Cup defeat and although the score might suggest otherwise, I got one.

"We dominated and their manager admitted afterwards that the result flattered them but at this level if you don't take your chances you will be punished, especially by a good side like St Francis."

Norris introduced two new faces as second-half substitutes and was impressed with midfielders Charlie Adsett, who has signed from Horley Town, and Andy Hancock.

Norris added: "Charlie and Mark did well and give us more options. We are starting to get players back and I know that when we have our strongest squad available we will be a match for any side in this league.

Both sides provided an entertaining spectacle at the Colwell Ground despite heavy rain and strong winds and Wasps started brightly with Simon Tadman, starting for the first time this season, heavily involved on the right-hand side.

They should have gone in front when Rangers' skipper Dan O'Farrell made a superb last-ditch tackle on Tobi Hutchinson to prevent him profiting from a mix-up between Tom Djamaluddin and goalkeeper Simon Lehkyj.

A minute later Lehkyj had to be sharp at his near post to deny Tom Saunders and from the resulting corner Tadman fired over.

They were to prove costly misses. On 15 minutes Chris Maynard's pass released Jake Forward and he drilled his shot past Lee Whibley from the edge of the box.

Lehkyj was still the busier keeper though, denying Hutchinson and then turning Saunders' shot round the post but instead of getting the equaliser they deserved Wasps found themselves 2-0 down on the stroke of half-time when Maynard got on the end of Iain Woods' flick and curled a shot past Whibley.

It was harsh on Grinstead and for all their second-half industry they struggled to create too many clear-cut openings.

Tadman and Saunders both went close but the game was killed off on 72 minutes when Whibley dropped a corner in the wet conditions and Russ Turpin pounced from close range to make it 3-0.

Maynard got the fourth after good work by Sam Jeremiah but Wasps did get on the scoresheet when Hancock's cross was headed past his own keeper by Luke Leppard.

Wasps will play worse this season and win while Saints look a decent outside bet for the league title on this display.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes (sub: Hancock 80), Cooney, Pelling, Neville; Tadman (sub: Adsett 60), D.Sullivan, Causon, Thompson; Hutchinson, Saunders.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Colliers Wood United 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
BOSS Steve Norris did not hold back after his side's hopes of an FA Cup run bit the dust at East Court.

Norris labelled his side's limp performance the worst in his two years in charge as their Combined Counties League opponents eased into the first qualifying round.

He said: "If I could have I would have personally apologised to all our supporters and given them their money back. It was our worst performance since I took over - we were awful."

Norris was without four first-team regulars but refused to use their absence as an excuse.

"We couldn't string more than two passes together, we had no energy and everyone had a bad day," he added. "When three or four players don't play well you can sometimes get away with it but not nearly all of the team - it was embarrassing and I can assure everyone there won't be a repeat."

Grinstead supporters must have been baffled at their side's display against Colliers Wood, a week after they had shown determination to come from behind to beat league leaders Pagham.

Colliers Wood were hardworking and in striker Ramzi Bedj-Bedj they had the best player on the pitch but they will not be the best side seen at East Court this season.

Alex McEwan went close from 25 yards early on but the visitors took control after going in front in the 12th minute when Lee Whibley got a hand on Niall Wynne's close-range header but couldn't stop it from going in.

Grinstead were off the pace but still created some decent chances before half-time. Dan Sullivan fired straight at keeper Tony Oval from close range, Saunders' header from Tobi Hutchinson's cross went just wide before Hutchinson teed up Causon but his effort was also off target.

Four minutes after the break Grinstead should have levelled. Hutchinson's free kick found Saunders unmarked but last season's top scorer directed his header wide of Oval's goal.

Norris brought on Simon Tadman and Alex Thompson in search of an equaliser but instead Colliers Wood killed off the tie in the 68th minute when Mark Longley's surge into the danger area went unchallenged and he needed no second invitation to fire past Whibley.

Young midfielder David Major made his first-team debut late on but Bedj-Bedj got the goal he deserved with seven minutes to go when he picked his way through a tired defence before producing a cool finish. An afternoon to forget for Grinstead.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes (sub: D.Major 73), Neville (sub: Thompson 65), Causon, Cooney, Pelling, McEwan (sub: Tadman 60), Gellatly, Hutchinson, Saunders, D.Sullivan.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Pagham 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
SUPER-sub Michael Belli was the hero with two goals as Wasps came from behind to clinch their first league win of the season at East Court.

Belli was introduced in the 68th minute and within a minute he had levelled with his first touch.

The 18-year-old then finished off a flowing move seven minutes from time to secure a victory Grinstead just about deserved.[Click here for matchday photos courtesy of First Focus]

Manager Steve Norris switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 when he brought on Belli and was delighted to see his attacking move pay off.

He said: "We conceded a poor goal just after half-time against a solid first division side but I was pleased with the character we showed.

"We kept our shape and discipline and Michael came on and helped to make the difference. Overall, we just about deserved to win. It was important for confidence to get that first three points under our belt and I think our supporters enjoyed our performance, particularly in the second half."

There were few clear-cut opportunities at either end in the first period. Simon Funnell had Wasps' best opening when he charged down a clearance and forced a good save from Wes Hallett.

At the other end the dangerous Rob Wimble had two efforts saved by the impressive Lee Whibley but he was involved when Pagham took a 48th-minute lead. As the home defence failed to clear, Wimble's shot from close range was parried by Whibley but Matt Wood was first to react to head home the loose ball.

Grinstead needed to shake things up and Belli did just that.

Within a minute of his arrival fellow midfielder Dave Gellatly, who had a good game, released him behind a square defence and Belli lobbed Hallett from the edge of the box.

It was a superb finish by the youngster and he produced another to clinch victory. Miles Neville, Gellatly and Funnell were all involved in the build-up and when Nick Sullivan's right-wing cross flashed across the box Belli was on hand to produce an exquisite side-foot strike.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes, Cooney, Wackett, Neville; D.Sullivan (sub: Belli 69), Gellatly, Pelling (sub: Causon 79), Hutchinson (sub: Edwards 79); Funnell, N.Sullivan.

:: Wealden 3, East Grinstead Town 4 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS made it through to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup with a victory over Wealden and will now face Colliers Wood United from the Combined Counties Premier League at East Court on Saturday 30th August (ko 3pm).

Grinstead had the game all but sown up by half time when they went in 4 - 1 up but took their foot off the pedal after the break, lost their shape and allowed their hosts to claw back to 4 - 3.

The match started with feelings of déjà vu for the travelling supporters. Two incidents were carbon copies of the previous match at Redhill. Firstly Wasps were awarded a free kick just outside the box on three minutes which Simon Funnell blasted past the wall and beyond the reach of Wealden keeper Gary Trott. Three minutes later, a Drew Cooney tackle in the area was harshly adjudged a foul but Lee Whibley brought off another superb penalty save.

A couple of minutes later some poor defending allowed Dan Poulton time and space and his low shot gave Whibley no chance. The match was shaping up for an exciting cup tie.

The partnership of Simon Funnell and Nick Sullivan, who started his first full game for Wasps, was working well and causing the Oaks defence problems. On 20 minutes, Dan Sullivan's flick was blocked by the advancing Trott, but Nick Sullivan made sure he was in the right place to follow through with a header to put Grinstead back in the lead.

Five minutes later, a good flowing move saw Mark Holmes press forward and find Nick Sullivan on the right flank. His cross was met by Simon Funnell with an excellent volley that deserved a goal but hit the side netting. Grinstead were playing some good football and on 32 minutes another excellent cross found Dan Sullivan. His goal attempt was handled on the line by a Wealden defender and a penalty was awarded. Remarkably the offending player was not shown a card when all in the ground were expecting a straight red. Dave Gellatly coolly stepped up and put away the spot kick for his first goal of the season.

Nick Sullivan and Simon Funnell combined well again on 40 minutes when Sullivan's shot following Funnell's cross was parried by Trott and Miles Neville pounced to score Wasps' fourth.

Boss Steve Norris and coach Gavin Neville were disappointed with their team's performance in the second half which saw Wealden's hopes raised as they clawed back to 4 - 3 with 10 minutes to go. Elvis Lynn came on for Simon Funnell just before the end and almost immediately found the back of the net but his goal was disallowed for pushing, much to the astonishment of the crowd.

Team: Whibley, Holmes, Miles Neville, Pelling, Cooney, Wackett, Dan Sullivan, Gellatly, Funnell, Nick Sullivan, Hutchinson. Subs: Foyle (for Neville 81 mins), Lynn (for Funnell 90 mins), McEwan

:: Redhill 3, East Grinstead Town 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Wasps showed their character coming from behind three times to snatch an equaliser in stoppage time at Kiln Brow. Danny Wackett was added to the long injury list before the game suffering with a back problem sustained against Selsey on Saturday. Simon Funnel was able to play however, despite suffering concussion in the same match. Steve Norris was pleased to be able to add Nick Sullivan to the bench.

Things got off to a bad start when Drew Cooney was adjudged to have brought down Ahmet Suleymanoglu in the box after 3 minutes but Aaron Murphy's spot kick was well saved by Lee Whibley who had a superb game and kept Wasps in the match on several occasions.

A golden opportunity for Wasps to take the lead fell to Dan Sullivan on 25 minutes when Tobi Hutchinson headed a cross out to him on the edge of the box but his volley went just wide of the upright.

Redhill capitalised on an uncharacteristic error by Marc Pelling and took the lead through Marcel Dennis on 39 minutes. Grinstead replied with a goal on half time as Simon Funnel found Tobi Hutchinson in some space with a fine cross which Hutchinson controlled and blasted past keeper Michael Czanner.

Elvis Lynn came on for Alex McEwan at the restart but Wasps continued to bring pressure on themselves by playing frequent balls back towards their own goal with the Redhill forwards capitalising on mistakes.

Redhill took the lead again on 56 minutes with Wasps allowing them too much space and time. Simon Funnel levelled the scores again with a superbly taken free kick from just outside the box which flew past the wall and the keeper.

A route one clearance from the Redhill keeper in the 69th minute found Lee Radford whose shot hit the upright but Tony Reid finished off to put them back in front.

Nick Sullivan came on for Mark Holmes as Norris went to three at the back and three up front and it was his work in the corner and cross that found Michael Belli who scored the equaliser on 90 minutes.

Grinstead: Whibley, Holmes, Miles Neville, Belli, Cooney, Pelling, Dan Sullivan, Gellatly, Funnel, McEwan, Hutchinson Subs: Edwards, Lynn (for McEwan 45mins), Nick Sullivan (for Holmes 72mins), Owens

Rydon Man of the match: Lee Whibley

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Selsey 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS' first game in County League division one for three years ended in a disappointing defeat.

But manager Steve Norris is confident his side will improve - if they take their chances.

Grinstead dominated the opening stages but Ross Woolf's 16th-minute header was a blow they struggled to recover from and Scott Hishelwood made the game safe 13 minutes from time when he arrived at the far post to convert Woolf's cross.

Norris said: "Selsey won't be the best side we have played this season but when they had chances they took them and that is the difference between this division and the one we have been promoted from.

"When you are on top you have to take your chances. We played very well until they scored and for a while afterwards but our second-half display was very disjointed. We started chasing the game and lost our shape. If we had maintained the tempo we'd had in the first 25 minutes we would have won."

Norris gave debuts to all three of his summer signings. Alex Mackay played at rightback and Matt Edwards was pressed into service up front because of Grinstead's early season striker shortage while Matt Holmes came on in the second half.

Liam Bull will be out for at least three months after sustaining ligament damage to his shoulder in the friendly against Tonbridge last week. Ben Burns is out for even longer because of a hamstring problem while last season's top scorer Tom Saunders was on holiday. If that wasn't bad enough, Simon Funnell was knocked unconscious in a collision with Selsey goalkeeper Steve Phillips late on and is a doubt for Tuesday's trip to Redhill.

It meant Wasps finished the game with Edwards and Grant Rigler up front, although Norris has signed Nick Sullivan and he is available for the trip to Kiln Brow.

Norris said: "Our front line has been decimated but we are looking at bringing in a couple of players still to boost the squad."

Although midfielder Mannie Neville has signed, he has just moved to London and Norris does not yet know if he will commit himself for the season.

Norris added: "We have gone from having six or seven forwards at the club to just two. We have got options: Matt did a decent job on Saturday and Tobi Hutchinson can play up front.

"It is disappointing to lose your first game but there are another 33 to go and if we learn our lessons from Saturday we will improve."

During their best period in the game both Dan Sullivan and Michael Belli went close while Drew Cooney went nearest to an equaliser in the 43rd minute when he headed Sullivan's cross against the bar.

But Selsey kept possession better after the break and apart from an effort by Rigler near the end which Phillips dealt comfortably with it was a frustrating afternoon for Wasps.

Grinstead: Whibley, McEwan, Miles Neville, Belli, Cooney, Wackett, Sullivan, Gellatly, Funnell, Edwards, Hutchinson. Subs: Rigler (for Edwards 66mins), Holmes (for Funnell 90), Pelling (for McEwan).

Rydon Man of the match: Lee Whibley
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