A injury time goal from substitue Niall Lee secured an important County League division one win for Grinstead on Saturday.
Wasps rode thier luck at times against a spirited, hard working St Francis side who on another day could easily have been victorious.
St Francis were on top for long periods of the game but poor finishing eventually cost them as the visitors proved more clinical in front of goal.
It was the hosts who started the game on the front foot and their work rate caused problems for Grinstead on a difficult surface. For all their endeavours though they rarely troubled keeper Mark Fox although midfield playmaker Rob Cooper should have given them the lead when free in the box but he could only chip his effort wide of the far post.
It was Grinstead who took the lead on 28 minutes. Centre half Aaron Walsh pulled down Ben Chick on the edge of the box, Michael Death took the resultant free kick and although he didn't hit it cleanly it still had enough to squirm under goalkeeper Rob Gordon.
St Francis, who have only won once all season in the league at home, found themselves further behind on the stroke of half-time. Aaron Watson latched onto a loose ball in the middle of the park and threaded a pass to Conor Hider who cooly slotted past the advancing Gordon.
For a side languashing towards the bottom of the table St Francis didn't let their heads drop and they were back in the game five minutes into the second half. A corner from the right was met by Josh Perry who neatly headed past Fox at the near post.
The home side's tails were now up and Grinstead were on the back foot and it was no surprise with 18 minutes to go when they got back on level terms. A long ball down the left found Kieran Pamment and he lobbed Fox to make it 2-2.
St Francis were now favourites to go on to win it but manager Simon Funnell made a couple of tactical changes and Grinstead suddenly found themselves creating chances. Tony Reid, who was moved up front, hit the bar with a header from eight yards and then he somehow missed from six yards out having been teed up by Chick only to scoop his left-foot shot well over.
Niall Lee then secured all three points when from a Watson corner, Chick flicked the ball on at the near post and Lee headed home at the far post.
St Francis still had two golden chances too grab a draw. Daley Clark somehow headed over from three yards out and then from a similar distance Kieran Pamment rattled the crossbar as Wasps held on.
Team: Fox, Champion (Etherington), Wilson, Sinclair, Pelling, Reid, Watson, Gellatly, Death (Lee), Hider (Nasamgu), Chick. Subs not used: Dodds, Funnell
Wasps won their first ever contest in the Brighton Charity Cup at the GAC Stadium on Saturday, but they didn’t have it all their own way in a match that was closer then the final scoreline suggests.
Grinstead made a number of changes to the side that lost to Three Bridges in the league the previous Saturday with Charlie Dodd, a recent recruit from Crawley Town's youth set up, given a start at centre-back.
Midhurst, who are languishing at the bottom of Division Two, made the brighter start and nearly took the lead on 11 minutes when hesitation between Lee Champion and goalkeeper Mark Fox allowed Liam Dreckman to step in and he was unlucky to see his downward header bounce off the hard surface and onto the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
Dreckman went close again shortly afterwards when he spotted Fox off his line but the goalkeeper did well to back-pedal and tip the shot over the crossbar.
Wasps were struggling to create anything at this stage but then suddenly in 20 minutes before half time they scored four goals without reply.
The returning Ben Burns got the first with a close-range header following a good break down the right by skipper Dave Gellatly. Five minutes later it was 2-0 when Michael Death, who had just missed a good chance following a poor back pass, produced a goal of great quality with a curling shot that flew into the net from 30 yards out.
Ben Chick then notched the third following Grinstead’s best move of the match involving Gellatly and Burns and on the stroke of half time Gellatly got on the scoresheet for the first time this season with an unstoppable shot from just inside the area.
With the game all but over the second half was a drab affair but credit must go to Midhurst who kept working hard and looking for a way back in the game. They missed a golden chance on 67 minutes when Dodds was adjudged to have fouled Dreckman in the area but from the resultant penalty Jason Silver could only shoot well over the bar.
Just when their endeavours looked like coming to nothing Midhurst did score a consolation on full time when Nathan Casselton found a bit of space in the area to drive his shot past Fox just inside the far post.
With only eight league games to play, Wasps have no match this Saturday before returning to league action at St Francis Rangers on Saturday week, January 28.
Wasps succumbed to their third successive defeat against high flying Three Bridges on Saturday.
Three Bridges had gone 22 matches unbeaten prior to the game and are Sussex’s only representative left in the FA Vase and are clearly a team playing with a lot of confidence.
This was evident in the early stages of the game as Bridges missed numerous good chances to take the lead.
Former Wasps' player Clinton Moore was the first culprit when he screwed a close range shot wide following a good cross from the right.
On ten minutes Moore went close again when his stinging volley from the edge of the box was well palmed away by Mark Fox in the Grinstead goal. Fellow striker Abu Touray was then guilty of a bad miss when his header from four yards out went straight at fox.
Moore then had his best chance of the game when he got clear of the Grinstead defence but from just six yards out under no pressure he completely mis-kicked in front of goal.
Just as Grinstead has appeared to have weathered the storm they went behind on the half-hour mark. The returning John Sinclair tried to shepherd the ball into touch, but Tim Rivers was quick to nip and he fired a close range shot past Fox at the near post. Touray then went close again soon after but his shot on the volley flew just over.
But as half-time approached the visitors got a surprise equaliser. Byron Glasgow's corner was met by Marc Pelling at the far post who scrambled the ball past Simon Lehkyj.
This stunned Bridges and Grinstead started the second half strongly and came very close to taking the lead when a Pelling header was met with a deft flick by Aaron Watson that cannoned of the post with Lehkyj well beaten.
Ben Chick was now causing his marker Charlie Cooke all sorts of problems as Grinstead took the game to Bridges and Cooke was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after a late tackle on Keiran Wilson and Bridges were further hampered when their star player Lee Carney had to limp off following a heavy challenge with Dave Gellatly.
At that stage Wasps looked as if they might go on and win the game but with 15 minutes to go they conceded a soft goal. Substitute Jack Lyons' sharp turn and shot from the edge of the box should have been comfortably saved by Fox but it trickled under his arms and into the far corner.
Grinstead struggled to make a further impression on the game and it was another substitute Siao Blackwood who sealed all three points for the hosts when he diverted a free header past Fox following a good cross from the right.
The festive period ended in dissapointment for the Wasps with an undeserved defeat against local rival Lingfield last Monday.
Grinstead made much the better start and could have been four up before Lingfield started to have an influence on the game.
Tony Reid should have done better in only the second minute when he was put clean through but with goalkeeper Joe White poorly positioned he could only scuff his shot straight at White. Aaron Watson, who caused numerous problems early on, then hit the bar with a left wing cross shot with White well beaten.
Reid and the returning Connor Hider up front then engineered half chances but White was equal to both their efforts.
Lingfield slowly started to get back into the game. Danny Oakins caused Grinstead numerous problems throughout and he went close went he turned Niall Lee sharply in the box but shot just wide of the far post.
Just before half time Lingfield took the lead, a poor clearence by Lee was picked up by Kai Bichard he threaded a ball through to Oakins and he calmly slotted past Mark Fox in the Grinstead goal.
Lingfield had a good opportunity to extend thier lead right at the start of the second half when Oakins got free on the left but Fox did well to save at his near post. Soon after Hider got free of the Lingfield defence his shot was poorly struck although White still struggled to keep the effort out.
Grinstead continued to look for openings and on 71 minutes they were back on level terms. Watson was tripped by Sayce Homes-Lewis in the box and Reid duly dispatched the penalty. Grinstead now looked the more likely to go on and win but just two minutes later the hosts were back in front. A free kick was needlessly given away by Hider on the right edge of the penalty area, Daryl Coleman delivered the cross and Oakins produced a deft header inside the far post.
Grinstead looked to respond but apart from a Ben Chick cross that just eluded Hider the home defence stood firm to secure a hard-earned three points.
Wasps ended 2011 on a disappointing note although they can have few complaints about the outcome against a strong Lancing side.
After five wins in their previous six games, Simon Funnell was hoping his side would finish the year on a high but they were always struggling after goalkeeper Mark Fox was beaten at his near post by a ninth-minute shot from Charlie Walker from 15 yards which the keeper should have saved.
With Byron Glasgow unavailable and John Sinclair's return delayed by a virus, 18-year-old Sam Rintoul was included in midfield but Lancing dominated that area, even after Wasps went three at the back and pushed Noel Etherington further forward.
Apart from a free-kick by Michael Death straight at ex-Wasps keeper Jamie Banasco-Zaragosa, Grinstead struggled to create anything in the first period and at the break David Major came on for Rintoul.
Wasps started the second half on the front foot. Aaron Watson's cross found Ben Chick whose header was saved and Zaragosa tipped a 30-yard drive from Major over the bar at full stretch.
But Wasps were stunned on 48 minutes when Darren Boswell curled a shot beyond Fox to make it 2-0 and the visitors scored again seven minutes later when a terrific cross from full-back Dan Taylor was met at the far post with a firm header by Lee Garnham.
To their credit, Grinstead didn't throw in the towel and in the last third of the contest Zaragosa was the busier keeper and he made an outstanding save to keep out a piledriver from Etherington.
Death twice beat the offside trap but disappointingly failed to hit the target while Chick's weaving run ended with a shot over from close range.
The hosts certainly deserved something for their efforts but, were he not already aware, this defeat highlighted the areas in his squad which Funnell will be trying hard to improve to enable Grinstead to challenge the top sides on a consistent basis.
It is shaping up to be a good December for Wasps who made it five wins out of six with this Boxing Day triumph over their local rivals.
Both sides looked off the pace in an untidy first half but Simon Funnell's men took control after the break and won it with goals from Aaron Watson and Tony Reid.
Grinstead, looking to build on their 3-1 win over Sidley six days earlier which had lifted them into the top half of the County League table, saw plenty of possession in the first half without creating too many clear-cut chances.
In fact the best opening fell to the visitors during their best spell just before the break but Sam Phillips shot just over from a good position.
Boss Simon Funnell clearly did a good job at half-time because Wasps began the second period on the front foot and led after 56 minutes.
Once again it was their wide men who caused problems, on this occasion Aaron Watson who combined well with Tony Reid down the left. Watson continued his run into the box and was able to meet his team-mate's cross with a firm header which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Grinstead began to play with a lot of confidence and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead 15 minutes later.
Reid was the finisher this time, scoring his third goal in four games with a neat finish after Michael Death had unselfishly set up the opportunity.
Grinstead saw the game out comfortably enough even though the visitors finished with three up front as they sought a way back into the game.
The goal threat would have pleased Funnell but he would have been delighted with a rare clean sheet.
Wasps moved into the top half of the County League table with their fourth win in five as Simon Funnell's men came from behind to complete the double over Sidley.
The visitors were missing Byron Glasgow, Ben Burns, Keiran Wilson and Lee Champion but debutant Nial Lee made a solid debut in central defence and youngster Sam Rintoul produced another good display in midfield to illustrate that there is plenty of strength in depth in the Grinstead ranks.
Wasps started brightly and Aaron Watson was betrayed by a poor bounce on the bobbly surface before Michael Death squandered two decent openings.
It was a surprise when Sidley took a 27th-minute lead but it was a poor goal defensively as Graham Morris was unchallenged when he headed home a corner from close range.
Sidley's Josh Wills continued to be the busier keeper, keeping out Dave Gellatly's shot and a header from Ben Chick, but the winger was to have a greater influence in the second half as Grinstead turned their dominance into goals.
The equaliser came on 54 minutes when Chick cut inside his marker to get in a shot which was blocked. When the ball came out Chick let fly again and this time beat Wills with the aid of a deflection off a defender.
Wasps went in front with a great move 13 minutes later. Noel Etherington's pass found Rintoul who burst forward from midfield to find Death whose cross was converted at the far post by Tony Reid.
And Grinstead got their third on 75 minutes when Chick arrived at the far post to convert an excellent cross from Watson. Once again the wide men had been instrumental in another impressive performance by Wasps, who are making a habit of strong comebacks.
Wasps could have few complaints after their bid for a fourth successive County League win came unstuck at Middle Road.
Byron Glasgow marked only his second appearance for the club with his first Grinstead goal to equalise in the second half.
But the Musselmen won it thanks to a late effort from Owen Callaghan and, on the balance of play, it was a deserved winner.
Wasps' cause wasn't helped when striker Ben Burns had to go off in the first half with an ankle injury. Replacement Michael Death worked hard as usual but after scoring 12 goals in their three previous league games the visitors struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
They fell behind after seven minutes when the defence failed to cut out a right-wing cross and Josh Clayman gave Mark Fox no chance with his shot.
Aaron Watson looked hard done by when he was flagged for offside after latching onto Dave Gellatly's pass to score, but that came ten minutes before half time and heralded the visitors' best spell of the game, during which Gellatly crashed a shot against the underside of the bar from Ben Chick's corner.
The equaliser arrived ten minutes after the break. Watson created with a typically direct burst into the penalty area and although goalkeeper Sam Armfield parried his shot the ball fell to Glasgow to side-foot home.
But if Wasps thought they would go on and take control the home side had other ideas.
Shoreham stepped up the pressure and they were rewarded 11 minutes from time when a free kick conceded by Chick was only partially cleared and Callaghan gave Fox no chance from close range.
Wasps produced one of the comebacks of the season to chalk up their third successive league win and complete the double over United.
Trailing 2-0 at the break, they were still behind with 25 minutes remaining before hitting their hosts with five goals in an unbelievable display of finishing.
Manager Simon Funnell said: “It was an incredible game. We gave away two poor goals from a defensive point of view, but I knew if we scored the next goal we’d have a chance.
“We did, and after that I always felt we would get something out of the game. Our finishing was first-class and they couldn’t live with us in the end.”
Funnell gave midfielder Byron Glasgow his debut and the former Reading schemer dovetailed perfectly alongside skipper Dave Gellatly as Grinstead dominated in midfield while their wide players, Aaran Watson and Ben Chick, were a constant threat.
Wasps fell behind in the 23rd minute when Lee Champion failed to control a long ball and Sam Schaaf nipped in to beat the exposed Mark Fox. And it got worse for the visitors eight minutes later when Fox’s clearance went straight to Alex Thompson who gratefully accepted the early Christmas present, guiding the ball into an empty net.
Funnell let rip at half-time and his words had the desired effect. Within two minutes of the re-start Watson shrugged off three challenges before firing into the bottom corner and suddenly it was Grinstead who had the momentum.
Chick and Tony Reid were guilty of bad misses before the equaliser arrived on 65 minutes when Marc Pelling’s header from Michael Death’s corner was only cleared to Watson who made no mistake from close range.
Two minutes later Death made it 3-2 from the penalty spot after Chick had been brought down and Wasps got their fourth with 14 minutes left. Death’s replacement Ben Burns had only been on the field for a matter of seconds when Watson picked him out with a great pass and Burns, cutting in from the left, slotted into the bottom corner.
It was 5-2 with ten minutes left when sub Sam Rintoul scored for the second game running when Burns laid the ball into his path and the youngster produced another composed finish.
Reid missed an open goal before Jamie Bywater pulled one back but Grinstead had the final say with Reid making amends with a composed finish after he was set up by Burns.
Wasps completed the double over struggling City despite playing with ten men at Oaklands Park for an hour.
Defender Lee Champion was sent off after 32 minutes for reacting to a bad challenge but it was City who looked like they were short-handed for most of the afternoon as Grinstead enjoyed their best away win of the season in the County League campaign.
They went ahead on 16 minutes when Dave Gellatly's ball forward put the home defence under pressure. Ben Chick won possession and produced an emphatic finish from just inside the box past City goalkeeper Tosh Batey.
Three minutes after Champion saw red the visitors doubled their lead. Good work down the right by Aaran Watson and Ben Burns enabled Burns to cross to the far post where Chick met it with a firm header for 2-0, giving Batey no chance.
Debutant goalkeeper Tim Roberts, standing in for the suspended Mark Fox, made an excellent double save just before the break, when City also hit the post, to preserve the two-goal lead and Wasps extended their advantage eight minutes into the second half thanks to a superb solo effort by Watson who skinned his marker and made his way into the box before firing home.
Chichester were given brief hope on 62 minutes when a cross cannoned off Kieran Wilson and past Roberts for an own goal which made it 3-1.
But Wasps restored their three-goal advantage on 77 minutes when youngster Sam Rintoul scored his first senior goal, bursting through the middle and holding off a defender's challenge before producing a composed finish.
With Gellatly and Zac Powell also going close and Chick denied his hat-trick by a fine save moments from time, Wasps ran out deserved winners.
Ryman League Premier Division Lewes proved too strong for Wasps in Tuesday’s Senior Cup third round tie at East Court, although the final scoreline did flatter the visitors somewhat.
Simon Funnell’s side kept plugging away and there were moments, notably in the first half, when they had their opponents rocking.
Wasps made the worst possible start when they went behind after three minutes when Paul Booth laid the ball into the path of Ian Draycott who gave Mark Fox no chance from eight yards.
But Funnell would have been pleased with Grinstead’s response. Tony Reid was brought down by Steve Robinson inside the box on 11 minutes and Wasps had a penalty but Gavin Gordon’s spot-kick was too close to Stuart Robinson who extended his giant frame to make a comfortable save.
Midway through the half Dave Gellatly’s header was cleared off the line but five minutes before the break Lee Champion failed to clear Alex Stavrinov’s cross and Booth punished him as he swept home Lewes’s second.
A mix-up between Champion and Fox allowed Harry Harding to score an easy third seven minutes after the break and from then on it was really about damage limitation for Wasps.
Nic Ciardini converted the first of two penalties on the hour after Zac Powell handled to make it 4-0 but substitute Dan McGoldrick livened up Wasps’ attack and his header forced a great save from Robinson to deny the hosts the consolation they deserved.
Mikey Malcolm smashed in Lewes’s fifth and Ciardini converted an injury-time penalty as Grinstead ran out of steam but their manager would still have taken plenty of positives from aspects of their performance.
A goal after just 17 seconds set Grinstead on the way to a resounding victory over fifth-placed Sidley as Simon Funnell's men put a poor run of results behind them with an impressive win at the GAC Stadium.
The home side again missed a host of opportunities but for once they didn't prove costly as Sidley rarely threatened Mark Fox in the home goal.
Wasps couldn't have wished for a better start. From the kick off, Gellatly spread a ball out to Aaron Watson on the left, his cross was only half cleared to Jez Tobin who fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net with just 17 seconds on the clock.
Sidley looked stunned and Grinstead continued to surge forward, their performance hardly that of a team that had conceded 16 goals in their last three games.
Watson, who had a fine game on the left, teed up Tony Reid but he screwed his shot well wide when well placed. Reid was then denied by the first of several fine saves by Sidley keeper Josh Willis after a fine left-foot volley.
Kieran Wilson and the returning Ben Chick then combined well down the right only for Willis to deny Chick with a smart save at his near post. Wilson then shot straight at Willis when well placed before Gavin Gordon lobbed over Willis but saw his shot cannon off the post.
Chances continued to come and go a Reid cross found Gordon but Willis was again equal to his close range effort and then when Chick was released down the right his cross shot just eluded Gordon at the far post.
After 35 minutes Grinstead finally made thier dominance pay. Reid sent over a pin-point cross which Gordon met with a bullet header guided inside the far post for his third goal in two games.
The second half started in the same vein. Defender Lee Champion's pass was met by a flick header from Watson who was only denied by the brilliance of Willis again.
On 51 minutes Sidley managed to produce their only shot on target when Scott McDonald hit a smart volley on the turn but Fox was alert to save at his near post.
Although Grinstead weren't quite so dominant it was still they who were by far the better side and they continued to create chances. Reid had a great chance to increase the lead but could only shoot over from well inside the penalty area.
Substitute Noel Etherington was then denied twice by Willis who contined to impress and he was also equal to a Ryan Watts free kick as Grinstead cruised to a comfortable and morale-boosting victory and a first clean sheet for six matches.
Despite racing into a two-goal lead, Grinstead suffered their fourth successive County League defeat Saturday.
YMCA had only won once at home all season and to try and end that dismal run they changed in the away dressing room and used the visitors' dugout.
But in the early exchanges you could see why they were struggling at Gorings Mead as Wasps - and in particular Gavin Gordon - took advantage of their frailties.
The opener came on 13 minutes when new signing Aaron Watson's cross was not dealt with and Gordon confidently fired home from close range. Seven minutes later Gordon had added a second, YMCA had four opportunities to clear before Sam Cane teed up Gordon to slot into a top corner.
In between the goals Watson, who had a just signed on dual registration terms from Lewes, had missed a golden opportunity after being put free by Kieran Wilson but he screwed his shot horribly wide.
With Grinstead’s fragile confidence it was important they didn’t concede before half time, but on 28 minutes YMCA were back in it through Dean Wright. A corner from the right found Wright on the edge of the box and he hit a stunning volley into the roof of the net. It was one of those effort that 99 times out of 100 would have flown high and wide but this is the way things are going for Grinstead at the moment.
Four minutes later YMCA were level in controversial circumstances. Wright, who caused the visitors problems all afternoon, was set free on the left edge of the penalty area. Grinstead keeper Mark Fox went to ground and Wright went over without appearing to be touched and the referee instantly pointed to the spot. The spot-kick from George Hillier was well saved by Fox but the rebound fell straight to Liam Hunter to fire home.
It was Wright who gave YMCA the lead on the hour mark. Hillier dinked a cross in from the left over Fox for Wright to score with a diving header at full stretch.
Wasps still felt they could get something out of the game as the YMCA defence looked more than suspect and having just gone close from a Gordon cross, Dave Gellatly saw his diving header fall just wide.
The game though was all but over as a contest with 15 minutes to go after a break down the right saw Tim Martin’s cross converted by Hillier.
Wasps finished their game against high-flying Lancing with nine men after contentious red cards for player-coach Tony Reid and goalkeeper Mark Fox wrecked their hopes of repeating their cup win at Culver Road earlier in the season.
Reid was sent off in the 38th minute for handball although the ball appeared to roll up his chest and hit his arm accidentally as he fell following a mishit shot that was going wide.
Even the penalty award was highly debatable but Scott Boswell scored to add to Shaheen Sadough's 11th-minute opener, which had an element of controversy about it as the striker appeared to be offside when he took possession.
It got worse for Wasps on the hour when Fox was deemed to have denied an opponent a clear goalscoring opportunity, even though as he rounded Fox his heavy touch took the ball out of play and the pair collided.
Sadough scored from the spot to make it 4-0, Martin having volleyed the home side's third four minutes after the break.
Grinstead battled on manfully for the last half hour with nine men but conceded a fifth when sub goalkeeper Craig Lardent elected to punch away Darren Annis's corner but missed giving Danny Gainsford a free header a yard out.
The frustrating thing was that even with nine men the visitors created chances, particularly in the first half, and if they had got their noses in front it could have been a totally different outcome.
Ben Burns and Gavin Gordon both had decent chances either side of Lancing's first goal and even with nine men Sam Rintoul and Ryan Lowe went close to pulling a goal back.
But it was an afternoon to forget although the prospect of having his keeper banned will only have added to manager Simon Funnell's sense of injustice.
A slick Peacehaven side exposed the task ahead for new Wasps’ boss Simon Funnell if he is to turn Grinstead into a title-contending team.
A week after Wasps had knocked Ryman League Worthing out of the Sussex Senior Cup they produced their worst performance of the season against a ruthless Peacehaven team.
The visitors were on the front foot from the start and were ahead after just ten minutes when Ashley Reece lobbed Mark Fox from just inside the box.
Grinstead had given their opponents far too much room around the box but failed to heed the lesson. More poor defending allowed Adam Kneller to volley home Peacehaven’s second after 32 minutes and before the break Rob O’Toole cut in from the left to drive a powerful shot past the helpless Fox.
Reece missed a sitter on the goal-line and apart from a free kick from Noel Etherington which was smothered by goalkeeper Joe Adams Wasps didn’t threaten in the first half.
Funnell sent on Ben Burns at the break and for the first ten minutes of the second half Grinstead improved and Gavin Gordon nearly pulled one back only to see his goalbound header diverted round the post by Matt Hill.
Gordon nearly scored with a lob but Peacehaven showed their killer instinct in the final third again after 56 minutes when O’Toole swept home a corner.
Reece volleyed in their fifth on the hour and then tapped in from close range eight minutes to make it 6-0 but O’Toole saved the best until last, beating Fox with a wonderful strike from fully 45 yards in the closing moments.
Young subs Harry Lowe and Rhys White showed a bit of spark and Ryan Watts wasn’t far away with a late free-kick but this was a night to forget for Grinstead.
Manager Simon Funnell admitted his side’s exertions at Worthing three days earlier contributed to their exit from the RUR Cup.
After two goals in the last 17 minutes had sentenced his side to defeat by a well-organised and hardworking Hassocks side Funnell said: “We had a few players missing for one reason or another which didn’t help but the Worthing game took a lot out of us. Having said that, we did have chances and if we’d scored first we would probably would have gone on and won. There wasn’t much between the teams.”
In the absence of Marc Pelling, Lee Champion and Gavin Gordon (the latter two cup-tied) Funnell paired Jez Tobin and Tony Reid in central defence and gave midfield full debuts to youngster Sam Rintoul and Arafat Kabuye.
Arafat had the first chance for Wasps in the first half on 21 minutes when he got on the end of an excellent cross from Ben Chick but opted for power instead of placement with only keeper Jack Simpson to beat and blasted his shot wide.
Three minutes later Tobin failed to make a decent contact with Noel Etherington’s corner and on 34 Rintoul tried an ambitious chip from 25 yards which Simpson turned over at full stretch.
Ryan Watts’ corner was then cleared off the line and before the break Sam Cane shot straight at the keeper after Dave Gellatly’s pass had put him in space.
Mark Fox was finally tested when he kept out a good effort from Nathan Miles and it was Hassocks who began to gain the upper hand in the second half after Wasps had gone close again after 59 minutes when substitute Rhys White released Michael Death but with only Simpson to beat he elected to chip the keeper rather than try and round him and Simpson blocked the attempt and a defender cleared up.
White nearly got a decisive touch on the end of a great Chick cross to the far post but when the breakthrough game in the 73rd minute it was Hassocks who took it when Spencer Slaughter’s surging run and pass found Rhys Weston who buried a low shot past the helpless Fox.
As Wasps pushed for an equaliser they conceded again six minutes from time when a free-kick from Phil Gault crashed through the defensive wall and past Fox.
In the end, a lively tie was decided in favour of the team who took their chances.
Wasps enjoyed one of their best results for many years as they dumped Ryman League Worthing out of the Sussex Senior Cup on their own turf.
It was no fluke either. Against a near full-strength home side, Simon Funnell’s men were both resilient defensively and took the game to their hosts. Even when Worthing equalised with 17 minutes to go Grinstead simply stepped up their game to seal victory with two goals in the last 12 minutes.
It was a great night for new boss Funnell against the club he played for when they last won the Senior Cup in 1999.
His selection included another ex-Worthing player in Gavin Gordon, who almost celebrated his debut with a goal when his stoppage-time volley came back off the bar.
Funnell has instilled a real work ethic in his team and in the early stages it became apparent that they were in no mood to let Worthing dictate terms.
Gordon headed over and Dean Ruddy saved a shot from Zac Powell while goalkeeper Mark Fox showed his alertness to deny Steve Metcalf after he surged into the box while Mike Huckett’s volley sailed wide for the hosts.
Wasps went ahead after 41 minutes and although the goal was a touch fortunate it was no more than they deserved as Ryan Watts’ 25-yard free kick took a slight deflection off the defensive wall with Ruddy beaten.
Grinstead seemed to have weathered the Worthing storm at the start of the second half, although Huckett did head against the bar, and they went close to adding to their lead when Marc Pelling somehow failed to turn Noel Etherington’s corner over the line and Cane fired wide from the edge of the box.
Worthing levelled in the 73rd minute and there was little Fox could do as Shaun Charles found the top corner from a quality hit from 20 yards.
The home side might have sensed they would go on to win but Grinstead regrouped and five minutes later Cane put them back in front with a header into the far corner from a great cross by Powell.
And with five minutes to go Dave Gellatly led a counter-attack and found Cane whose low cross was tucked home by Jez Tobin, who had a made a great burst from midfield.
Simon Funnell suffered his first defeat as Wasps' boss despite a spirited late comeback against second-placed Rye at The Salts on Saturday.
Grinstead trailed 3-0 with 20 minutes to go and could easily have thrown in the towel, but defender Marc Pelling and Sam Cane, with his first goal for the club, ensured an uncomfortable end to the contest for the hosts.
Wasps were largely architects of their own downfall. Funnell admitted afterwards that they had shown too much respect to their opponents in the first half and by the time they got any sort of foothold in the game they trailed 2-0.
Duncan McArthur had already dragged a shot from six yards wide with only keeper Mark Fox to beat when the home side, who were fresh from a 7-1 midweek drubbing of Crowborough, took an 18th-minute lead when Shaun Loft headed home a free kick.
McArthur got Rye's second 11 minutes later with a well-taken lob and only the woodwork saved Wasps when Wes Tate cut inside Tony Reid but struck the bar with a powerful volley.
Grinstead didn't mount a threat on goal until the 44th minute when Tate was robbed by Noel Etherington whose shot went narrowly wide but at least it gave the visitors some belief and at the start of the second half they played with more composure without ever threatening Rye's goal too often.
The game was effectively over when Fox claimed he had been impeded as he came for a cross which Matt McLean headed in and the goal stood after 71 minutes.
It was only then, as Rye relaxed, that Grinstead finally began to play the way Funnell knows they can. Perhaps it was the appearance of the manager as a substitute which galvanised them but defender Pelling made it 3-1 on 85 minutes with a well-taken header from Dave Gellatly's corner and in the fourth minute of injury time Funnell's free kick was latched onto by Cane who finished smartly with what virtually the last kick of the contest.
So some encouragement for Funnell, but Wasps must learn to start games on the front foot.
Simon Funell gained his first victory as Grinstead manager with a hard earned victory over AFC Uckfield.
It was a fully deserved victory over a talented Uckfield side and although Uckfield pushed for victory in the final few minutes it would have been harsh on Grinstead had they not secured all three points.
Grinstead welcomed two new signings in goalkeepr Mark Fox and striker Sam Cane and both were prominent in a good team performance in what was Grinstead's only second clean sheet of the season.
Grinstead made the early running, Ben Chick went close with a left foot strike that went just wide on eleven minutes and they went even closer when Jez Tobin struck the top of the bar from the edge of the box.
Uckfield did however look dangerous on the break and the prolific Andy MacDowell was denied by Fox's outstreched hand when clear on goal.
It was Tom Betts in the Uckfield goal who was then called upon when Marc Pelling found himself unmarked just 6 yards out but Betts somehow denied him with a point blank save and just before half time Betts again had to be alert to deny Cane following a strong run at the heart of the Uckfield defence.
McDowell was again denied by Fox at the start of the second half before Grinstead again started taking control. A Dave Gellatly shot from range went just wide after Betts had difficulty in gathering the wet ball before Ben Burns with his second goal in as many games gave Grinstead the lead. Chick floated a pass over the Uckfield defence which Burns latched onto and hit a crisp half volley just inside the far post.
Grinstead continued to dominate but as the game wore on Uckfield started to press as Grinstead defended deeper and with the referee playing extensive imjury time Grinstead did suffer a couple of late scares before finally securing a welcome three points.
An injury time equaliser denied Simon Funnell victory in his first full game in charge on Saturday, although Wasps did bring to an end a run of three successive home defeats in County League division one.
Grinstead looked to have secured victory when the returning Ben Burns gave us the lead early in the second half but with virtually the last kick of the game a long clearance wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and Charlie Walker ‘s shot took a wicked deflection past the stranded Shayne Goldsmith in the home goal.
Shoreham have struggled this season but they were more than a match for a Wasps side perhaps lacking in confidence following their recent losing streak.
After a scrappy opening it was Grinstead who opened the scoring on 28 minutes courtesy of a great left footed free-kick from Ryan Watts after Michael Death had been fouled on the edge of the box.
Grinstead were now in the ascendency and Burns should have done better when put through by Ben Chick but he stabbed his shot straight at Jake Graham in the Shoreham goal.
However, following a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to Graham, Grinstead who looked comfortable suddenly switched off and Jamie McKenzie coolly lobbed Goldsmith from the edge of the box to level just before the interval.
Grinstead came out fired up for the second half and thought they had a penalty when Watts was brought down, but after speaking to his assistant the referee gave a free kick after initially awarding a penalty. An incident typical perhaps of our luck in the last few weeks.
But after 55 minutes Wasps were in front when Noel Etherington’s corner was headed back across goal by Marc Pelling to Dave Gellatly whose mis-hit shot fell into the path of Burns who shot home from close range. It was Burns’ first goal for Grinstead since November 7, 2009. Shortly afterwards Chick’s cross shot hit the top of the crossbar as Wasps looked to put the game to bed.
Shoreham gradually worked their way back into the game as Grinstead started to defend deeper holding onto their slender lead, but the visitors never really troubled Goldsmith and when substitute Kevin Keehan was sent off for a late and high tackle on Jez Tobin the game looked won until that last-gasp sickener for the hosts.
Grinstead: Goldsmith, Etherington, Watts, Tobin, Pelling, Reid, Wilson(sub: White 46), Gellatly, Death, Burns (Rintoul 85), Chick: Sub not used: Lardent
Wasps succumbed to their fourth successive defeat although there was still enough to encourage new manager Simon Funnell as he watched from the dugout alongside his predecessor Tony Beckingham.
Once again a whole host of players were unavailable including top scorer Tom Lyons, Conor Hider, Drew Cooney, AJ Morrison and Kieran Wilson and Wasps made the worst possible start when Shayne Goldsmith failed to claim a free kick from John Westcott and Andy Atkin powered his header into an empty net.
But Wasps soon rallied and levelled after five minutes when Tony Reid’s angled drive came off the underside of the bar and instead of clearing his lines Leon Dussard only succeeded in hammering the ball into the roof of the net.
Michael Death had already tested Chris May from 20 yards and Dave Gellatly saw his shot from close in deflected for a corner as Grinstead tried to build on their equaliser.
But on 11 minutes George Benner was penalised for tripping Wayne Clarke in the box but Goldsmith made amends for his earlier error by making a good save from Atkin’s penalty.
The reprieve, however, was short-lived. Five minutes later poor marking allowed Aaron Murphy to set up Atkin and a striker who was plying his trade in the Football Conference a couple of years ago took the chance clinically.
With speed down the flanks Redhill often stretched our back four but we gradually warmed to our task defensively and with a bit more composure in front of goal we would have been level before half-time.
In the 20th minute Zac Powell’s cross found Death but he side-footed wide from a good position and Michael was again off target two minutes later, this time after JP Collier had set him up.
At the start of the second half JP’s free kick was turned around the post at full stretch by May and on 56 minutes the whole ground appealed for a penalty after Brendon Sebuliba handled in the box but the referee, who booked seven players even though there was hardly a bad tackle all night, waved away our appeals.
Redhill had more of a cutting edge than Wasps and they showed that again with 13 minutes to go when substitute Gavin Gordon tapped in to make it 3-1 after good work by Atkin.
By then we had brought on three 17-year-olds and Sam Rintoul in central midfield, Rhys White and Marcus Fort all impressed. In fact Sam wasn’t far away from scoring when he side-footed wide after making a good run into the box and within two minutes of coming on Fort had forced May to make a good save.
A decent performance from Wasps against a good side and encouragement for Simon that with some additions to the squad he can quickly get us moving back up the table.
It was a familiar story for Grinstead on Saturday. Good football played in spells, gilt-edged chances missed, controversial refereeing decisions going against them and all eventually though resulting in another dissapointing County League defeat in what was Tony Beckingham's last game in charge.
It was always going to difficult against a Pagham side preserving a 100% record having won all 12 of thier previous games but Wasps had the clear ascedency in the first half.
Pagham, clearly playing with confidence, were out of the traps quickest and Phil Turner got behind his marker but was denied by a sharp save from Shayne Goldsmith after just two minutes. Turner again went close just five minutes later when the league's top scorer Scott Murfin found him at the back post but his header looped just over.
Grinstead slowly got a foothold in the game and as the half porgressed they started to exert some pressure and should have been in front at the break. John-Paul Collier was unlucky with his cross from the left that just eluded Micheal Death at the far post and from the resultant corner came the first controversial decision by referee James Harding.
Anthony Morrison's inswinging corner was met by the head of Marc Pelling at the far post, but a goal was denied by the hand of a Pagham defender on the line, a clear penalty but protests were waved away by Harding.
Grinstead continued to press and missed a great chance just before the break. A good one two between Death and Tom Lyons ended with Lyons bearing down on Wes Hallett in the Pagham goal but from just eight yards out he screwed his shot horribly wide, Lyons clearly rattled by this miss then screwed another shot well wide when well placed as the home side finished the half well on top.
Three minutes into the second half Wasps suddenly found themselves a goal down from the next controversial decision. A mistake by Dan Jones alllowed James Temple free on goal. Jones pulled him down but the initial contact was clearly outside the box but the referee had no hesitiation in pointing to the spot. Murfin duly dispatched the penalty.
Two minutes later and Pagham had doubled the lead. Murfin got free on the left, his cross shot was well saved by Goldsmith but it was diverted straight into the path of Turner who scored from close range.
Pagham were playing at a much higher tempo and didn't give Grinstead any space and as a result the home side struggled to make any impact and it was Pagham who extended the lead with 15 minutes remaining. Controversail decsion number three lead to the goal. In the lead up to the corner James Temple was at least five yards off-side which the assistant correctly flagged. Yet Mr Harding awarded a corner even after speaking to his assistant and from the corner centre-half Paul Jones stroked the ball home from close range.
There was still time for one last controversy. Sixteen year old Marcus Fort found himself bearing down on the Pagham goal but was denied by a clear tug on his shirt but the referee again waved away the protests of a frustrated home side for whom little is going right at the moment.
Grinstead: Goldsmith, Powell, Watts, Collier, Jones, Pelling, Etherington, Gellatly, Lyons, Death (Fort 74), Morrison. Subs not used: Chick, Wilson, Prime
Wasps suffered a second successive County League defeat at the Caburn Field on Tuesday which dropped us down to ninth in the table but this was another match that Wasps shouldn't have lost.
Playing up the slope in the first half, the visitors created some great chances with John Paul Collier's fierce shot tipped over the bar by home keeper Tom Rand and a Michael Death volley hitting the bar with Rand beaten but the ball bounced back out and was cleared.
Then three minutes before half-time Wasps suffered what is becoming a familiar trait when they gave away a soft goal just before half time.
A cross from the left wasn't dealt with, it clipped Dave Gellatly's head and fell nicely for Ben Courtnage whose shot was going wide but deflected off Gellatly's foot and trickled past goalkeeper Shayne Goldsmith.
The second half saw Wasps create more chances but nothing seems to be going their way at the moment.
On the hour Ben Chick stormed forward to find Collier and his cross picked out Death who fired over. The same three players were involved again in Grinstead's next threatening raid but this time Rand held onto Death's somewhat ambitious chip.
As Wasps pushed forward in search of an equaliser Marc Whiteman should have put the game to bed but fired wide of an open goal while Grinstead were often guilty of over-anxious approach play as frustration at not being able to get the equaliser was reflected in their play.
Two controversial referee decisions and a goalkeeping error resulted in Grinstead succumbing to a fourth home league defeat of the season and put an end to their encouraging unbeaten run.
It was a scoreline that flattered the visitors as Grinstead played the better football in the first half but despite some decent possession they couldn’t get beyond the well organised Selsey defence which despite their early dominance restricted Wasps to long range efforts.
It was from one of these that Grinstead went close on five minutes when John Paul Collier cut inside from the left and his right-footed shot had Sam Joyce beaten but it curled just wide of the far post.
Grinstead continued to boss the game but on 19 minutes they found themselves a goal down. A long punt down the right saw Habeeb Alao get beyond the defence. Goalkeeper Shayne Goldsmith was favourite to win the ball but he completely missed his attempted headed clearance and Alao was on hand to roll the ball into an empty net.
Grinstead looked to respond immediately. Tom Lyons saw a free kick from the edge of the box fly just over and then from a Collier free-kick Lyons again went close with a near post header, Collier also saw a long range shot drift just wide.
But with five minutes to go before the break Selsey added a controversial second. Max Thoms shoved Tony Reid in the back as he got on the end of a left wing cross with a header that looped over the static Goldsmith from the edge of the box. It was a clear foul but the goal stood.
If Grinstead had scored first in the second half you still felt they could get something but on 62 minutes the game was over as a contest following another controversial referring decision. A long kick downfield was aimed at Rob Wimble. Defender Marc Pelling had the situation under control but when Wimble tried to shoot, he hit an air shot and fell to the ground. To everyone’s astonishment, including the Selsey players, referee Belcher pointed to the spot which Thoms duly dispatched for his second of the game.
This deflated Grinstead and they continued to struggle to create any clear-cut opportunities and Selsey comfortably saw the game out in what for them was an impressive defensive performance.
Grinstead: Goldsmith, Etherington, Powell (sub: James 79), Pelling, Reid (Gellatly 57), Perona, Wilson (Death 57), Lyons, Collier, Chick: Sub not used: Prime
Wasps have a dreadful record at Piddinghoe Avenue with just one win in their last 16 visits, 14 of which have ended in defeat, so a draw against another in-form side in the top four can definitely be regarded as a point gained.
Tom Lyons kept his nerve to convert a controversial penalty 14 minutes from time but it was no more than Grinstead deserved as they stretched their unbeaten run to five games.
With sweltering temperatures, even on top of the normally breezy Peacehaven cliffs, it was a day for letting the ball do the work and commendably both sides tried to play the game the right way, although it did not lead to a surfeit of chances at either end.
Indeed, 30 minutes had been played before the first serious attempt on either goal when Marcos Perona’s pass picked out Lyons in the Peacehaven area, but his fierce shot didn’t trouble goalkeeper Josh Heyburn.
Peacehaven had threatened little but just before the break they took a somewhat fortuitous lead. Wes Millis’s pass dropped invitingly for Ashley Rees and although Tony Reid managed to get a block in, the ball looped over goalkeeper Shayne Goldsmith.
Goldsmith produced a close range save from a Craig Bunch header whilst Reid had a chance to make amends at the other end, but his low shot was easily dealt with by Heyburn, at the start of the second half.
It looked as if Peacehaven were going to hold on but with 15 minutes remaining AJ Morrison’s corner was met by George Benner at the far post. The ball went out of play but to the astonishment of the home side, referee Small pointed to the spot, presumably for a foul on Benner by Millis. After a lengthy delay, Lyons kept his nerve to fire home the penalty.
Peacehaven then lost Craig Bunch with a broken ankle after a melee in the box and after a lengthy delay Grinstead needed a good save from Goldsmith, who turned Millis’s header over the bar, to preserve a deserved point.
A much-changed side with the accent very much on youngsters enjoyed an impressive win at the Gullivers on Tuesday as Wasps booked a date at Ryman League Worthing with this Sussex Senior Cup first round victory.
Boss Tony Beckingham was forced to make six changes from the team that beat St Francis Rangers in the league on Saturday and gave a debut to 16 year-old Rhys White who impressed down the right. He was replaced on 75 minutes by another 16 year old Marcus Fort who nearly scored on his debut but was denied by a fine save from keeper Josh Willis.
Striker Tom Lyons was among the absentees but Michael Death and Conor Hider both returned to the attack with Death heading Wasps ahead on 30 minutes from Dave Gellatly’s cross.
Steve Morris had earlier gone close for the home side when he missed a close-range header but the goal lifted Grinstead who doubled their lead after 61 minutes.
Gellatly was the provider again with a free kick to Hider who controlled the ball and then fired a powerful shot into the top corner, giving Willis no chance.
Sidley pulled one back three minutes later through Jason White and substitute Lewis Hole hit the post shortly afterwards as the hosts pressed, but the on 72 minutes Death restored the two-goal lead from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the box by keeper Willis.
With six minutes to go some poor marking from a corner enabled Morris to head home and he missed a great chance in the last minute to force a replay but Wasps held on for a victory they deserved while the performance of such a relatively inexperienced squad would have given Beckingham plenty of positives.
Grinstead: Goldsmith, Elliot, Watts, Pelling, Benner, Reid, Gellatly, AJ Morrison, Death, Hider, White (sub Fort 75) Unused subs: Rintoul, Presland.
A Tom Lyons brace ensured a hard earned victory for Wasps over a spirited St Francis side at the GAC Stadiumn which lifted Tony Beckingham's team to fourth in the County League division one table.
Grinstead looked comfortable when they cruised into a two goal lead at half time but goals change games and when Rangers got a goal back with still 25 minutes remaining the home sode had to survive some nervy moments before securing victory.
There was a scrappy start to the game as both side struggled to gain control but it was Grinstead who slowly started to get the upper hand. On 20 minutes John Paul Collier released Antony Morrison on the edge of the box but he delayed his shot and the chance had gone but just a minute later Grinstead were in front. Ben Chick was the provider when he was released down the right and his low cross was met by Tom Lyons who poked home from close range.
Grinstead were now well on top and three minutes later were denied a blatant penalty when Morrison was hauled down in the box. Referee Nick Brown moved to blow his whistle then suddenly changed his mind and inexplicably waved play-on. He also failed to notice that a defender was so sure it was a penalty he picked the ball up!
Grinstead continued to push and Ryan Watts was denied by a smart save by Martin O'Rourke before they doubled their lead a minute before half time. Marc Pelling released Morrison down the left, he beat his marker before crossing to Lyons who again applied a simple finish much to the delight of the young Grinstead fans behind the goal who joined in his celebrations.
At the start of the second half Wasps continued to press with the woodwork denying them twice in a minute when a fierce Chick shot hit the underside of the crossbar and then, from a Collier corner, Lyons' header hit the top of the crossbar.
Grinstead looked in total control when Rangers suddenly pulled a goal back. Terry Garcias's corner was met by Jason Hollick who headed powerfully back across goal and inside the far post despite the efforts of Marc Pelling on the line.
The game suddenly had a different feel to it as Rangers felt they could get something. Grinstead still looked dangerous going forward and Pelling and Collier both went close before Peter Martin for Rangers somehow scooped his shot over from just six yards out with just Shayne Goldsmith to beat.
Goldsmith then kept out an effort from Stuart Brown with his right foot when he latched onto a mis-hit Garcias shot as Grinstead became stretched and their decision making in the final third was disappointing.
As the minutes ticked by Rangers continued to dominate but the hosts stood firm although with just two minutes remaining Goldsmith had to be alert to keep out a drive from the edge of the box from the impressive Garcias.
Wasps shared six goals with Division One newcomers AFC Uckfield at The Oaks, but after leading 2-0 and then 3-2 it was probably a game Tony Beckingham’s side should have won.
The visitors went ahead after just three minutes when Tom Lyons got to a free kick from George Benner ahead of home goalkeeper Benoit Beaujean and although his flick was cleared off the line Marc Pelling reacted quickest to head in his first goal of the season.
Dave Gellatly nearly added a second when his header came back off the bar but with both sides committed to attack the home side had their moments too with Andy McDowell missing the target from six yards.
Wasps doubled their lead on 29 minutes when Lyons met a great pass from Ben Chick on the right and his touch deflected off a defender and past Beaujean.
But ten minutes later Uckfield pulled one back when Chris Gould’s low free kick skidded through the defensive wall and past Shayne Goldsmith. McDowell hit the post just before the break and within a minute of the re-start he had made it 2-2 by out-jumping Gellatly to head over Goldsmith.
Wasps were back in front within four minutes though. Drew Cooney won the ball in midfield to find Marcos Perona and John Paul Collier latched on to his pass and beat the keeper with a perfectly-placed lob.
And they ought to have made the game safe with 14 minutes to go after a great move involving AJ Morrison and Perona set up Tony Reid but he hit his shot beyond the far post from close range. Chick then fired wastefully over when either Reid or substitute Michael Death might have scored had he opted to pass instead.
Those misses proved costly when Uckfield drew level with 11 minutes to go when Gould got his second of the game after some poor marking in the box left him in space at the far post to volley home.
Grinstead put the disappointment of their injury-time defeat against Three Bridges behind them with a thumping win over struggling Chichester at the GAC Stadium.
The scoreline actually flattered their opponents as Wasps missed numerous gilt-edged chances to record a much more comprehensive victory but the performance and nature of victory was convincing enough.
Grinstead gave a debut to Antony Morison who had a very impressive game wide on the left and with Ben Chick hugging the right touchline the Chichester defence couldn’t cope with their pace and movement as they were time and again cut apart.
Grinstead should have been in front inside the first minute, Chick sent in a cross from the right which found John Paul Collier at the back post who somehow headed wide of an open net from three yards out. Five minutes later Collier was in behind again this time he teed up Tony Reid who was playing up front but his shot was charged down on the line.
Chichester did settle down a bit for a while after those two early scares and the game became a little bit scrappy but Grinstead were always in the ascendency at they took the lead in the 29 minutes through a goal that highlighted just what they are capable of when they get it right. Neat one-touch football in the middle of the park from Marcos Perona and Collier released Chick and he clamly rounded keeper Matt Short and slotted into an empty net.
A minute later Grinstead doubled their lead. A slip in the centre of defence by Kaalid Al Slamtic enable Reid to nip in and he fired a fierce left foot shot past Short. Reid should have had another before half time when Morrison found him unmarked in the penalty area but his well struck shot was parried away by Short.
Despite their dominance Grinstead suddenly let Chichester back into the game on 43 minutes. A cross from the right saw keeper Shayne Goldsmith and Ryan Watts both hesitate which enabled Lewis Edwards to get between them and stroll the ball into an empty net.
Grinstead still had further chances to extend their lead before half time both again falling to Reid. Chick again found him from the right but Short was once again equal to his close range shot and then from another Chick cross Reid headed over from six yards.
Any thoughts that Chichester had in the game were ended though just two minutes into the second half. Chick, who was having a great game down the right, got past his marker again and squared to Perona who from close range fired into the roof of the net.
After that it was just a case of how many Wasps would get. Substitute Conor Hider brought a smart save out of Short before Drew Cooney made it four on the hour. Morrison, who is a genuine two-footed player which is a rarity these days, swung over a left-footed corner and Cooney was unmarked to head home from close range.
Chichester were deflated and Grinstead continued to create chances, Tom Lyons who came on as substitute had similar luck as he did against Bridges and went close on at least three occasions and then with the game drawing to a close another fine cross was met by Chick at the back post but he could only head wide of an empty net.
Wasps progressed to the third round of the RUR Cup with a 2-0 win over a side who have acquitted themselves well since promotion to Division One.
We gave debuts to three players with Michael Death and Conor Hider forming a new partnership up front and 18-year-old George Benner alongside Tony Reid at the back.
Kieron McCann had two good efforts in the opening third of the game before keeper Shayne Goldsmith was called into action to tip over a drive from Sam O’Regan.
The first goal was always going to be important and Wasps got it after 42 minutes, albeit following a bad mistake by the home keeper Matt Evans who sliced his clearance allowing Death to roll the ball calmly into the open net.
Moments later Death found himself with just Evans to beat but instead of dinking the ball over him he elected to try and go round him and the keeper smothered the ball at his feet.
In a half-time re-shuffle Reid and JP Collier went up front and in the second half we ought to have picked off Lancing on the break. Four one-on-one situations did not result in a goal with Reid the main culprit while the home side nearly equalised with a shot against the post.
We finally put the game to bed in injury time. Ben Chick and Keiron Wilson combined down the left, Ben’s cross was nodded back across goal by Marcus Perona and George Smith volleyed home at the far post.
Grinstead suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of local rivals Lingfield on Bank Holiday Monday.
Lingfield's front line consisted of former professionals Nicky Forster and Ian Pearce and and they caused Grinstead problems throughout the match. Forster was involved in all four goals, he scored two made another and won the free kick that lead to Pearce scoring.
It was a quiet start to the match with no sign of the rout to follow and apart from a Ryan Watts free kick that was comfortably saved by Joe White in the Lingfield goal neither defences were troubled in the first 20 minute but out of the blue Lignngfield took the lead.
A long punt over the top left Grinstead's defence flat footed and Forster who up to that point had hardly touched the ball out paced Peter Featherstone and slotted past Shayne Goldsmith.
Five minutes later and Lingfield had doubled their lead, Forster won a dubious free kick on the left, but they made the most of the decision when the free kick was floated to the back post and Pearce met it with a powerful header that flew into the top corner.
Grinstead did respond, a sweeping move ended in Leroy Huggins finding Liam Baitup whose effort was ruled offside and Baitup was denied again with a smart stop from White. They went even closer when a Dave Gellatly shot hit the post, the rebound was finished off by Baitup but again he was ruled offside.
Pearce though nearly made it three on the stroke of half time when Grinstead's static defence was caught out by another long ball, but this time Pearce was denied by Goldsmith's legs.
Any thoughts that Grinstead had of getting back in the game were all but over fifteen minutes into the second half. A long ball was headed into space and when Featherstone and Goldsmith hesitated, Foster nipped in to notch his second of the game.
Grinstead looked to react playing with three up top but apart from the odd run from Ben Chick on the right, Lingfield dealt with most attacks reasonably comfortably and they added to their goal tally when Forster broke down the left and squared to the unmarked Royce to tap home at the far post.
Wasps put three successive defeats behind them as they scored three goals in the last 12 minutes to clinch a deserved win at Mill Road.
After the problems in the corresponding fixture last season which had to be abandoned this contest passed off peacefully although Wasps' frustrations grew as Arundel looked as if they might hang on to Scott Tipper's 19th minute header.
Drew Cooney and Peter Cooper squandered good chances either side of the opening goal but in the second half it was virtually one-way traffic towards Arundel's goal.
The equaliser arrived on 77 minutes when Tom Lyons, back in the side after missing two games through injury, burst into space in the box to produce a composed finish into the bottom corner.
The relief among the away contingent was visible and five minutes later they had more reason to celebrate when Wasps took the lead as Liam Baitup fired his shot across the keeper and into the corner.
Both sides had appeals for a penalty turned down in a frenetic finale and George Smith squandered a good chance for Grinstead before they got their third goal in the closing moments.
Smith was the provider with a neat pass to Lyons who scored his second goal of the campaign with another excellent finish.
Manager Tony Beckingham said: "It took us a while to break them down but I thought we deserved to win on the balance of play."
With no FA competitions this season the domestic cups have taken on more importance for Wasps but there was disappointment on Saturday after they bowed out of the County League Cup to second division opposition.
Wasps deservedly trailed at half-time to Lee Garnham's 13th-minute goal, after a rare mistake by Drew Cooney, and didn't get a shot on target until the 40th minute when Alex Bryant kept out John Paul Collier's effort.
Liam Baitup then went close on two occasions and Grinstead were much more positive in the second half, boss Tony Beckingham having told the squad a few home truths during the interval.
Although the visitors continued to knock the ball around Wasps began to create chances with Baitup lobbing wide before setting up Ben Chick for a drive which would have gone in had it not taken a slight deflection off a defender.
Collier wasn't far away with a free kick and then substitute Mirt Varli elected to shoot when Leroy Huggins would have had a tap in had he opted for a pass instead.
The pressure finally told eight minutes from time. Noel Etherington knocked the ball back into the danger area after a corner had broken to him on the edge of the box and Huggins guided it into the net for his second goal of the season.
But while Wasps were still celebrating they conceded again straight from the re-start when Barney Boutwood pounced to make it 2-1.
Grinstead created just one more chance when Huggins got a yard of space to turn and unleash a shot which shaved the far post but the visitors held on for victory.
A disappointed Beckingham said: "It was a very frustrating afternoon although that is not to take anything away from East Preston whom played some attractive flowing football and on that performance I’m sure they will be in the mix for promotion from division two this season.
"We had more possession in dangerous areas but we failed to take advantage and the defending for both goals was sloppy."
Kiln Brow hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Grinstead in recent years and they again went away empty handed in a close encounter against Redhill.
A point apiece would have been a fair result with Redhill snatched victory with just four minutes remaining.
Redhill started brightly and John Westcott tested Shayne Goldsmith as early as the second minute but our keeper saved well at the near post. In an open beginning to the match a quick break enable Tom Lyons to release Liam Baitup who toe poked wide when well placed.
Moments later Stefan Joseph found himself unmarked just eight yards out but shot well wide. All this all happened inside the first ten minutes and at this stage goals were expected.
Grinstead then had a good spell but Redhill were difficult to break down with former Horsham player Tom Graves particularly impressive and Grinstead had a long range shot that was tipped round the post by Chris May as their only notable effort in this spell.
As the half wore on though Redhill started to get on top. Grinstead were continually exposed down their right as the three up front system was highlighting their lack of width in the side. Joseph again went close when his volley following a cross from the left cannoned against the crossbar and then a cross shot from Wayne Clarke also hit the crossbar with Goldsmith well beaten.
The second half was a much more cagey affair with both defences on top, but it was Grinstead who created the best two chances of the half. A John Paul Collier free kick hit the post with May rooted to the spot and then a sharp turn and shot by Leroy Huggins inside the box flew just over.
Both sides seemed to have settled for a well earned point when from nowhere Redhill snatched victory. A fortunate deflection enable former Grinstead player Clinton Moore space down the right, he hit a low centre across the six-yard box where Wayne Clarke poked home from close range under pressure from Noel Etherington. A cruel blow for Grinstead against one of the more fancied teams.
Grinstead started the new County League division one season in fine style with a thumping victory over newly promoted Worthing United.
The Wasps had six players making their full first team debuts but it didn’t take them long to settle and their first half performance was a joy to watch as they ripped open the Worthing defence at will with crisp incisive passing football.
Grinstead had a very early scare when goalkeeper Shayne Goldsmith handled a backpass which resulted in a close range free kick being charged down by Leroy Huggins but following that it was all Wasps.
They should have taken the lead on five minutes when Huggins fired over from close range but six minutes later the first goal of the season arrived from a familiar source through Liam Baitup. Kieran McCann threaded a through ball to Tom Lyons on the right -hand side of the penalty area and his cross shot was met by Baitup at the far post who had a simple tap in.
The midfield trio of McCann, John Paul Collier and Marcus Perona were running the show and Worthing had no answers much to the frustration of former Grinstead coach Tobi Hutchinson on the visitors' bench.
Another sweeping move on 27 minutes resulted in Grinstead’s second. Peter Cooper, who had replaced the injured Lyons, was released by Collier on the right. He drove into the Worthing penalty area where he found Baitup waiting to tap home his second of the game.
Eight minutes later and it was 3-0. Another swift mover ended with Collier exchanging a on- two with McCann and Collier shot past the exposed Mark Oldroyd in the Worthing goal.
At this stage it looked like it was going to be a matter of how many Grinstead would get but Worthing to their credit found a way back in the game just before half time. Former Grinstead player Lucas Mann stole inside full back Ryan Watts and coolly slotted past Goldsmith.
Their joy was short-lived. Straight from the kick off a mazy run from Collier ended with him threading the ball through to Huggins who slotted a left-foot shot past Oldroyd.
The game was virtually won at half-time and this resulted in a disappointing second half. Worthing came out more committed and gave Grinstead less time on the ball as the hosts cleary took their foot of the gas. Worthing did cause Grinstead one or two nervous moments at the back but Goldsmith was rarely troubled and towards the end substitute Ben Burns had a couple of chance to increase Grinstead’s lead.
Team: Goldsmith, Etherington, Watts, McCann (sub: Gellatly), Featherstone, Cooney, Perona, Collier, Huggins, Lyons (Cooper), Baitup (Burns). Sub not used: Varli
Wasps had the consolation of scoring the best goal of the game as the Football League new boys turned on the style on an entertaining night at East Court.
It looked like being a long night for Wasps when Matt Tubbs, who went on to complete a hat-trick, put Crawley in front after six minutes.
But it took the visitors another 34 minutes to score again through Tyrone Barnett, to make it 2-0 at the break, and in between Wasps created some good chances with Leigh Hines side-footing wide from a good position and John-Paul Collier testing Scott Shearer from 40 yards.
Crawley upped the tempo in the second half and added further goals through Tubbs and Barnett, who both completed hat-tricks, Scott Neilson and their trialist.
But one of the biggest cheers of the night came midway through the second half when JP got the better of Dannie Bulman on the right, cut inside and smashed an unstoppable shot past Shearer inside the far corner.
