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:: Sidlesham 3, East Grinstead Town 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
2-0 UP - THEN IT ALL WENT WRONG

Last Tuesday's excellent 2-1 win over Eastbourne United Association had lifted Wasps out of the bottom three and their survival seemed assured at half-time on Saturday.
Dave Gellatly in action at SidleshamBoth first half goals were simple enough. Fullback James Ricketts played long balls over the top of the home defence and first Kris Trevor, on 14 minutes, and then Ben Burns, six minutes before half time, produced neat finishes. At 2-0 up the job seemed to be done. But seven minutes into the second half Steward collected possession just inside the left-hand touchline and let fly from fully 35 yards and his volley sailed past Dave Tidy and in off the far post. If ever a goal changed a game this was it.
Wasps, with no natural left-footer in the side because of Adam Dart's absence, began to look unbalanced.
Sidlesham were reinvigorated and they drew level on 65 minutes when Steward bent his free-kick from 20 yards round the wall and Tidy, who should perhaps have tipped the ball over rather than trying to catch it, did neither and it ended up in the back of the net.
Bob threw men forward and five minutes later Grinstead appeared to have given themselves a lifeline when Burns was tripped in the box, but Gellatly's nerves betrayed him and he skied the penalty well over Steve Judd's bar.
Grinstead heads dropped, understandably perhaps, and when Drew Cooney was penalised for a foul with ten minutes left, Steward stepped up to complete his hat-trick.
News that Southwick were winning had reached the ground by then and a sizeable contingent of Grinstead supporters urged their team forward in search of the two goals which would have brought salvation.
Tadman did pull one back with a close range volley at the start of injury time and Wasps did force a corner in the dying seconds which came to nothing. Seconds later it was all over and Smith was left with the unenviable task of trying to lift shattered morale in the dressing room.
Smith added: "Everyone at the club has worked really hard over the last few years to get us where we were so this is a real body blow. But we will treat it as a temporary setback and hopefully come back to Division One stronger in a year's time."

Team: Tidy; Ricketts, Moore, Cooney, Hearn; Thorpe, Gellatly, Bradford, Benton; Trevor, Burns. Subs (all used): Banks, Buckingham, Tadman.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Eastbourne United Association 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Dave Gellatly back after suspensionPhil Thompson scores Wasps First Goal Wasps made the ideal start with a seventh minute goal when Dave Gellatly, playing his first game for six weeks because of suspension, let fly and the ball deflected past United keeper Mark Oldroyd off Phil Thompson.

United drew level four minutes before half time when goalkeeper Dave Tidy was ruled to have brought down Mark Warren in the box and Steve Prodger scored from the resultant penalty.

But Grinstead were back in front on the stroke of half-time. Thompson’s perfectly-weighted pass fell nicely for Gellatly who gave Warren no chance from the edge of the box with a rising drive that nearly burst the net.

Dave Gellatly's fierce shot strains net Wasps had chances to kill off their opponents in the second half. Ben Burns had a goal disallowed for offside and Kris Trevor and both substitutes, Peter Benton and Steve Banks, ought to have given Grinstead breathing space.

But all the time it was only 2-1 United still had hope and Tidy tipped Prodger’s free-kick onto the post in the 67th minute in their best moment of the second half.

Team: Tidy, Ricketts (sub: Hearn 83), Dart, Bradford, Cooney, Moore, Thompson (sub: Benton 72), Gellatly, Thorpe, Burns (sub: Banks 72), Trevor.

:: Eastbourne Town 3, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
EASTBOURNE EASE TO VICTORY

With defenders Matt Bradford and Peter Benton both absent at the Saffrons, Bob was forced into another re-shuffle with James Ricketts and Matt Thorpe returning to the starting line-up at centre-half and central midfield respectively while the boss opted to play Ben Burns just off the front two.
Eddie Keboah’s pace down the right was a constant problem for Wasps and in particular Grant Hearn and he created Eastbourne’s best first-half chance with a cross which Gary Brockwell headed against the crossbar.
Phil Tompson gets encouragement from Bobby SmithDave Tidy, restored to the No1 slot after missing the last two games, also made good saves from Keboah and Mark Goodwin, but Wasps also had their chances. The best fell to Trevor on 29 minutes after Burns’ pass put him clear but goalkeeper Simon Green made a good save.
Eastbourne went in front on 44 minutes. Brockwell ghosted past Hearn down the left and his unselfish pass was finished by Mark Goodwin from close range.
Wasps needed to strike back early but instead they went 2-0 down after 51 minutes. Hearn lost possession just inside his own half and Carl Harris finished off the breakaway with a shot which gave Tidy no chance.
Trevor gave Wasps hope four minutes later when he fastened on to Adam Dart’s quickly taken free-kick to beat Green with a low shot.
Then on 65 minutes Wasps wasted a great chance to equalise when Ricketts fed Aaron Zimmatore in space but the striker blazed over the crossbar.
Eleven minutes from time Thompson’s corner found Thorpe but his header was cleared off the line. Wasps pushed more men forward in the last ten minutes but they left themselves vulnerable to a counter-attack and Brockwell made the points safe for Eastbourne on 81 minutes when he ghosted past two defenders before firing past Tidy.

Team: Tidy, Hearn (sub: Upton 81), Dart, Thorpe, Ricketts, Moore, Thompson, Cooney, Zimmatore, Trevor, Burns (sub: Goodwin 73).

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Hailsham Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS seem determined to give their supporters and everyone at the club a white-knuckle ride between now and the end of the season.
A home defeat meant they slipped back into the County League first division relegation zone.WASPS seem determined to give their supporters and everyone at the club a white-knuckle ride between now and the end of the season.
Peter Cooper’s well-taken 23rd-minute strike ensured Hailsham’s excellent run continued and left boss Bob Smith reflecting on a succession of wasted opportunities – and, just as worryingly, a return of one point from the last nine.
Grinstead began brightly without creating anything of note before once again gifting the opposition their goal. How many times has that happened this season?
On this occasion Steve Moore and Matt Bradford got into an awful tangle as they tried to clear a routine long ball and Cooper was allowed to make ten yards unchallenged before beating Lee Whibley with a well-struck dipping volley from the edge of the penalty area. It took Wasps a while to get over the shock of conceding yet another sloppy goal, but they should have been level before half-time.
Drew Cooney’s cross was turned back into the six-yard box by Ben Burns but Aaron Zimmatore could only fire straight at Hailsham goalkeeper Nathan Gamester from inside the six-yard box when everyone was waiting for the net to bulge.
That miss set the tone for the second half as Wasps piled forward in increasing numbers and with increasing desperation. Kris Trevor and Burns missed half-chances and on 66 minutes three players inside the six yard box all failed to get on the end of Peter Benton’s cross.
Hailsham soaked up the pressure and tried to counter-attack and Scott French fired wide with only Whibley to beat after a slip by Bradford.
In the last 20 minutes Wasps were camped in Hailsham’s half and they appeared to have found a way through with 13 minutes left when Gamester dropped Cooney’s cross under pressure from Matt Thorpe and Wasps’ substitute bundled in the loose ball.
The players thought the goal had stood and so did the crowd, but referee Paul John had signalled for a free-kick to Hailsham for the foul on Gamester.
There was more and more desperation to Wasps’ attacks in the closing stages but the equaliser, which their efforts would have deserved, wouldn’t come.

Team: Whibley; Hearn, Moore, Bradford, Dart; Benton, Thompson, Cooney, Burns (sub: Thorpe 66); Trevor, Zimmatore. Unused subs: Tidy, Ricketts, Goodwin, Penelver.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Whitehawk 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS inched closer to County League safety after coming from behind to collect a precious point against high-flying Whitehawk at East Court on Saturday.
The battling spirit which has been in abundance during a run of one defeat in their last six games was again evident as Bob Smith’s men fought bravely to restrict the visitors, who are favourites to finish runners-up to new champions Horsham YMCA, to the odd opportunity.
Whitehawk dominated possession, particularly in the second half, but most of the saves Lee Whibley had to make were of the bread-and-butter variety.
It’s been quite a week for Grinstead goalkeepers. Both Dave Tidy and Lee Whibley became fathers on Wednesday for the first time. In the end manager Bob Smith was grateful that one of them was able to leave their newly-born for a few hours to aid Grinstead’s relegation battle.
Grinstead’s preparations were hardly helped when Aaron Zimmatore dropped out 90 minutes before kick-off for family reasons. Phil Thompson was promoted from the bench to partner Kris Trevor up front and make his first start of an injury-ravaged season.
At the back, youth teamer Bobby Buckingham came in for the unavailable James Ricketts and did a solid enough job with Wasps content to soak up pressure and try and hit Whitehawk on the break.
Both goals came early on. Hawks were ahead after seven minutes when Tommy Pattenden flicked on Aaron Gunn’s corner and a Grinstead attempted clearance hit Andy Beech and the ball ricoched into the net.
It was a soft goal to concede but Whitehawk were in equally generous mood and Grinstead were level five minutes later. Grant Hearn tapped a free-kick on the edge of the box into the path of Adam Dart and his powerful shot cleared the wall and sped past a motionless Wayne Collins in goal.
Clear-cut chances were rare after that. Wasps had a couple of openings in the second half when Trevor got to the by-line but on both occasions there were no takers when he got the ball into the box.
Wasps may have lacked the craft in midfield which would have opened up the visitors, but there was no denying the work-rate of Drew Cooney, Hearn and Peter Benton. Grinstead switched to 4-5-1 in the last 20 minutes by withdrawing Thompson into midfield as they settled for what they had.
Smith added: “It wasn’t a classic by any means. They had a lot of the ball but never really got behind us although we struggled to create much either.”

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Dart, Moore, Bradford; Benton, Hearn, Cooney, Burns; Trevor, Thompson. Subs: Penelver, Goodwin.

:: Hassocks 2, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS missed the chance to climb further away from the relegation zone on a bad night at the Beacon on Tuesday where our discipline deserted us, we finished with nine men and were beaten by an 88th-minute winner.
Drew Cooney in action before second yellow cardGrinstead had the better chances in the first half. Matt Bradford scooped a close-range effort over the bar from eight yards after ten minutes and Kris Trevor hit a first-time effort just wide after a great through ball by Peter Benton on 33.
At the other end Dave Tidy blocked a close range effort from Robins’ danger man Pat Harding as Hassocks began to get into the game, but the game began to unravel for Grinstead just before half-time.
Midfielder Drew Cooney, who had been booked for dissent moments earlier, allowed frustration to get the better of him after he was penalised for a foul and kicked the ball away. That meant a second yellow and Wasps were down to ten men.
Dave Tidy made a superb reaction save to deny Stuart Faith after 50 minutes, but two minutes later Grinstead went in front. Ben Burns found Kris Trevor and he made space before cracking a low shot past Joel Harding.
Unfortunately the lead lasted just three minutes. James Ricketts failed to clear his lines, Pat Harding nipped in and lobbed Tidy from 12 yards.
It was backs to the wall for Wasps now, but Steve Moore and Matt Bradford held the defence together superbly until disaster struck in the 87th minute.
Moore failed to get enough power on the ball as he tried to clear Tom Stripp’s long ball and with Tidy in no-mans land, Harding rounded the keeper and found the roof of the net from the tightest of angles. A great finish, but heartache for Wasps.
Unfortunately it got worse when Trevor was sent off for kicking out at Micky Turner as frustration got the better of him a minute later.

Team: Tidy, Ricketts, Dart, Hearn, Bradford, Moore, Tadman, Benton, Cooney, Burns (sub: Buckingham 66), Trevor. Unused subs: Upton, Whibley, Anderson.

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Pagham 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS climbed further away from the County League relegation zone after a third successive win over fellow strugglers Pagham on Saturday.
Benton scores winner against PaghamIt looked like being a comfortable afternoon when we led 2-0 after 11 minutes, but Bob Smith’s men gifted the visitors two goals either side of half-time before Peter Benton emerged as an unlikely match-winner when he finished off a flowing move to score his first senior goal for the club.
Of the eight teams battling to avoid the drop from Division One with already relegated Sidlesham, only Grinstead and Hailsham won. Bob said: “We didn’t play particularly well but it makes a nice change to have three points at the end of it rather than a defeat or draw.
“We lost our way when they got a goal back in the first half and became a bit nervous. But I thought our second-half performance was a lot better. There were a few scares, but there were always going to be because Pagham needed the points as much as we did. In the end I felt we deserved the victory.
“I was really pleased for Peter Benton when he scored. Peter and Adam Dart were our best players although the work-rate from the whole side was excellent.”
After picking up seven points from three Easter games Wasps were full of confidence and in the opening stages they threatened to over-run Pagham.
They got the perfect start on three minutes when Drew Cooney headed Ben Burns’ free-kick from the left back across goal and Matt Bradford guided a low header past Wes Hallett to open his Grinstead account.
Burns set up Wasps’ second eight minutes later when his pass allowed Kris Trevor to run into space before guiding a low shot past the helpless Hallett for his 18th goal of the season.
But after 15 minutes Pagham were thrown a lifeline. Bradford tried to clear Bryn Hauxwell’s low free-kick but could only slice the ball off the side of his boot into the roof of the net, giving goalkeeper Dave Tidy no chance.
Tadman's header glances widePagham nearly equalised four minutes later when Hauxwell’s header at a corner was cleared off the line by Benton and for the next 15 minutes the visitors looked the better team with the muscular Brett Forden a constant menace up front.
Wasps re-grouped, but five minutes after the break they gifted Pagham a soft equaliser. Tidy sliced an attempted clearance to Doug Peach and his low cross found Forden who controlled the ball before firing a low drive inside the right-hand post.
Fortunately, Grinstead regained the lead within six minutes after the best move of the game when Burns collected possession from a quickly-taken throw and his left-wing centre was guided home at the far post by Benton.
Substitute Simon Tadman flashed a header wide from Trevor’s cross and Hallett made a brave save to deny Trevor after Burns’ free-kick had rebounded off the crossbar.
But Grinstead hearts were in mouths with nine minutes left when Aaron Knight’s close range shot beat Tidy, but Dart got back to make a superb goal-line clearance.

Team: Tidy; Ricketts, Dart, Bradford, Moore; Benton, Hearn (sub: Hillen 84), Cooney, Burns; Trevor (sub: Upton 90), Zimmatore (sub: Tadman 56).

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Rye & Iden United 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
TREVOR BACK TO HIS CLINICAL BEST TO BEAT RYE

Rye had failed to score in just one of their previous 45 league and cup games this season which made Monday’s result – and a third successive clean sheet – even more impressive from a Wasps’ perspective.
Steve MooreAlthough James Ricketts produced a man-of-the-match display alongside Steve Moore in the heart of the defence, Wasps had heroes all over the pitch.
Grant Hearn did another sterling job in midfield and Kris T could easily have had a hat-trick as he rediscovered the form which made him such a threat earlier in the season.
After a cagey first half in which neither keeper was overly extended, Wasps made the breakthrough four minutes after the break. Ben Burns’ pass was inadvertently flicked into Trevor’s path by defender Micky O’Callaghan and the striker controlled the ball in an instant before firing a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Jon Gardner for his 17th goal of the season.
Predictably, Rye launched an aerial bombardment as they searched for an equaliser, but Grinstead still created the best chances. Aaron Zimmatore, who had another good match up front, teed up Trevor in the 55th minute but his close-range lob was parried by Gardner. Trevor got another sight of goal with 14 minutes left, but he dragged his shot just beyond the far post.
At the other end Wasps were reprieved on 66 minutes when Shaun Loft’s header was disallowed for a push on Adam Dart, but Tidy was given great protection by his defenders and Rye were forced to fire in most of their shots from long range.
The roar of delight from the home crowd after seven minutes of injury time could probably have been heard in the High Street.
Bob said: “That was a huge win for us, not only in context of our league position but the strength of the opposition. It’s hard to pick anyone out but I thought Steve Moore, Peter Benton, James Ricketts and the front two were superb.
“People were concerned because Matt Bradford was unavailable so to keep a clean sheet against a side with their goalscoring record was a great achievement.”

Team: Tidy, Benton, Dart, Ricketts, Moore; Burns (sub: Buckingham 88), Cooney, Hearn, Penelver (sub: Tadman 69); Zimmatore, Trevor. Unused subs: Goodwin, Norris.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Sidley United 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Wasps got a wake-up call in the first minute when Dave Tidy pulled off a terrific reflex save to keep out Graham Morris’s close range shot and Owen Ball hit the bar as he tried to force the rebound over the line.
We soon began to get to grips with their task and Ben Burns squandered two good chances before mounting home pressure was rewarded in the 27th minute when Zimmatore flicked on John Penelver’s long throw and Drew Cooney reacted smartly to fire a left-foot shot past Greg Thurstan from ten yards, Drew’s second goal of the season.
Thurstan kept out Burns’ volley with his legs but Wasps got the all important second goal on 34 minutes when Zimmatore found the bottom corner from close range as we once again punished untidy Sidley defending.
Kris Trevor breaks free but couldn't finishKris Trevor’s bad luck in front of goal continued when he blasted over the bar after Penelver’s pass found him unmarked 15 yards out and there were more chances for Grinstead in the second half as we opened up Sidley on the break.
Zimmatore blasted over after racing clear on goal, Trevor was off target from just inside the box and Thurstan kept out Zimmatore’s shot with his legs before substitute Ben Brockbank just failed to get on the end of Trevor’s shot.
Sidley were more of a threat in the second half but Kevin Rose, substitute Calum Wooler and Shea Sprefico were all off target with their best efforts while Tidy’s only serious save of the half came in injury time when he tipped over Wooler’s left-footer.
This was a good performance from Wasps in difficult conditions. Defensively we looked very solid again. Matt Bradford has been outstanding since coming to the club and his presence seems to have spread confidence throughout the back four and goalkeeper. Grant Hearn did an excellent job in front of the defence and up front we were always a threat.

Team: Tidy; Ricketts, Dart, Bradford, Moore; Burns (sub: Tadman 70), Cooney (sub: Brockbank 59), Hearn, Penelver (sub: Benton 66); Zimmatore, Trevor. Unused subs: Norris, Goodwin.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Ringmer 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A FIRST clean sheet for over four months was one of the many positives for Town boss Bob Smith at East Court on Tuesday night.
Against a Ringmer side with the best defensive record in the league it was always going to be hard for Wasps to break through. Indeed, a match between the teams with two worst goalscoring records was never likely to produce a goal feast, but there still was enough excitement to entertain the Grinstead faithful, particularly in an end-to-end second half.
Smith gave home debuts to four players with Jordan Leatherdale partnering Kris Trevor up front and Ben Burns switching to the right-hand side of midfield.
There was no lack of endeavour from Wasps going forward, but Ringmer goalkeeper Ross Standen’s only serious test came when he dived full-length to keep out Trevor’s 62nd-minute drive from the edge of the box.
Dave Tidy was hardly overworked at the other end either and most of his saves were routine, although he had to be alert to tip over Gareth Green’s 30-yard piledriver just after the break. The visitors’ best opportunity fell to Reece Head with five minutes to go but he directed a free header from a corner wide of the post.
The players in front of Tidy were excellent with Matt Bradford quickly becoming a crowd favourite after a colossal display in the middle of the back four. He won most of the aerial battles, made a couple of important interceptions and showed no lack of ability when he had time on the ball either.
Adam Dart caught the eye in the second half and Aaron Zimmatore looked lively when he came on too.
On the downside, Matt Thorpe hobbled off after taking a knock on his troublesome ankle and James Ricketts’ home debut was cut short when he took a knock early in the second half. When are we going to get some luck with injuries?
Smith said: “I thought both sides went all out to win what was an entertaining game. Defensively I was delighted with our performance and with a bit of luck in front of goal we could have won the match. “Ringmer will definitely finish in the top six and they are a quality side but I thought we matched them. The performance has got to give us a lot of encouragement for the games ahead.”

Team: Tidy; Ricketts (sub: Hearn 61), Dart, Thorpe (sub: Zimmatore 66), Bradford, Moore, Burns (sub: Tadman 83), Cooney, Leatherdale, Trevor, Penelver. Unused subs: Goodwin, Whibley (gk).
Attendance: 117

:: Littlehampton 2, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
GOODWIN GOAL COMES TOO LATE

AS seems to be the case with struggling sides, Grinstead were punished for their defensive lapses despite dominating long spells of Saturday's game at the Sportsfield. The first came on nine minutes when Simon Tadman failed to find Dave Tidy with a back-header and Jonas Templeman nipped in to round the keeper and put Littlehampton 1-0 ahead. Goalmouth action in Littlehampton box
Wasps redoubled their efforts and created some decent opportunities in either half. But Ben Burns, Kris Trevor, Matt Thorpe and Tadman were all guilty of hurried finishing when they had good opportunities inside the penalty area. Littlehampton made them pay with a second goal in the 79th minute when Daren Pearce reacted quickly inside the six-yard box to stab the ball past Tidy following a goalmouth scramble.
Wasps got something for their efforts in injury time when Adam Dart, back in the side after a month out with a toe injury, exchanged passes with Burns down the left and Burns’ cross was turned in by substitute Andy Goodwin, the 18-year-old’s first senior goal. Manager Bob Smith said: “If there was one criticism I would have it was that we weren’t sharp enough around the box. But we created chances, which was the good thing, and in midfield and at the back we looked very solid. "I was pleased for Andy Goodwin as well. He came on and looked sharp and got his first goal at this level which should give him a lot of confidence." Matt Bradford’s presence at centre-half made a considerable difference and allowed Drew Cooney to move into midfield alongside Matt Thorpe while the return of Dart gave Grinstead more strength down the left where he linked up well with the skilful Penelver. “The boys were very positive afterwards,” added Smith. “They feel we can get out of trouble now we have strengthened the side. The Easter games are crucial, but if we get a couple of good results we will have a platform for the last month of the season.”

Team: Tidy; Ricketts (sub: Goodwin), Dart, Bradford, Moore; Tadman (sub: Leatherdale), Thorpe, Cooney, Penelver (sub: Hearn); Burns, Trevor.

:: Pagham 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Ben BurnsWASPS are back in the bottom two after suffering a damaging County League defeat to fellow division one strugglers Pagham at Nyetimber Lane. It always looked as if a mistake might settle a dire game and it duly came seven minutes from time. Unfortunately for the visitors, goalkeeper Dave Tidy – virtually a spectator like his opposite number Wes Hallett until then - handled a back pass inside the penalty area when the ball bounced up off a divot. Dan Cox’s free-kick found Brett Forden and the Pagham striker volleyed past Tidy from close range. It got worse for Wasps moments later when James Horner crumpled under a seemingly innocuous challenge and had to be stretchered off. Horner was taken to hospital where ankle ligament damage, rather than a fracture, was the diagnosis. He left in crutches and is likely to be out for a while to add to Grinstead’s growing injury list. Wasps’ best chance came in the 24th minute when Mark Hillen put Kris Trevor through on goal, but his touch let him down as he made room for the shot and his effort ended up in the side netting. Trevor is clearly struggling to get over the groin injury which has plagued him in recent weeks and both Hillen and Turville had to struggle on after suffering groin tweaks in the first 20 minutes. Pagham looked more threatening as the game wore on without ever appearing as if they would break the deadlock. Grinstead were no better but looked as if they would at least leave with a point until Tidy’s aberration was punished.

Team: Tidy; Buckingham, Turville (sub: Dunstan 75), Cooney, Moore; Tadman, Thorpe, Hillen, Horner (sub: Smith 83); Trevor, Burns.

:: Redhill 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS picked up a useful point in their battle against the drop, but they left Kilnbrow on Tuesday night feeling they should have had all three. Twice in front through first-half goals from Kris Trevor and Ben Burns, Grinstead had to play the last 30 minutes with ten men after Mark Hillen was sent off for violent conduct. But they still created the better chances and after Trevor had squandered a one-on-one midfielder Matt Thorpe was dragged to the ground by a Redhill defender with seven minutes left, but referee Neal Saxton, who was ideally placed less than ten yards away from the incident, kept his hands by his side.
Ben Burns had two goals disallowed for offside in the first half before Burns strolled through to make it 2-1 when two of his team-mates may have been in offside positions. On the other side of the pitch, Michael Turville was scythed down and required lengthy treatment, but the tackle went unpunished.
Wasps led 2-1 at the time, but Ben Biggar scrambled in a 53rd-minute equaliser from a corner and the visitors went down to ten men on 59 minutes when Hillen got a straight red for violent conduct after a tussle with Redhill captain Justin Jones. With injuries and suspensions, particularly to midfield players, it was a reckless decision by Mark who has played enough senior football by now to know better.
Grinstead had gone ahead after 21 minutes when Turville’s pass found Burns 12 yards out and he turned and shot in one movement. Redhill goalkeeper Chris Roberts pushed the ball onto the post, but Trevor reacted quickest to score his first goal since January 22. Redhill equalised out of the blue in the 36th minute when Luke Jones sent a dipping shot over Dave Tidy into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards. But Wasps were back in front again within two minutes when Burns finished with aplomb from 20 yards, even though both James Horner and Matt Thorpe were in offside positions as Grinstead broke forward.
Apart from an effort by substitute Matt Dean with two minutes left which just missed the post, Redhill didn’t create a lot with the man advantage. Steve Moore, Turville and Thorpe were outstanding for Grinstead who showed enough tonight, even with a severely depleted team, that they can still climb away from trouble.

Team: Tidy; Hearn, Turville, Moore, Cooney; Horner (sub: Zimmatore 70), Thorpe, Hillen, Tadman; Trevor, Burns (sub: Buckingham 61).

:: East Preston 2, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
LATE GOAL HEARTBREAK AT THE LASHMAR
Tidy WallWasps lined-up with a 4-5-1 formation on Saturday and it did the trick early on with Dave Tidy well protected by his defence. Wasps took the lead in the 27th minute when Simon Tadman’s free-kick found Drew Cooney unmarked and the defender headed in his first goal of the season. We needed to hang on to their precious lead until half-time, but two minutes before the break they conceded the equalizer. A collective lapse in concentration at the back allowed Matt Huckett to scramble the ball home after Wasps failed to defend a throw-in. Too many goals of a similar nature have been conceded this season, it has to be said. EP carried more of a threat in the second half, but Wasps still had two great chances. Tadman struck the bar from 25 yards and then Gellatly was put through with only Andy McCarthy to beat, but the goalkeeper stuck out a hand as Gellatly tried to round him and made the save. EP switched to 4-3-3 for the last 15 minutes and they got their decisive goal with 11 minutes to go when Walker’s deep cross from the right caught the strong breeze and sailed in off the far post. It was a sickening blow for Grinstead and for the next five minutes they were indebted to Tidy for three fine saves. There was still time for a comeback, but the home defence stood firm to leave Wasps without an away win in the league since November 6 – over four months. It would be nice to end that sequence on Tuesday.

Team: Tidy; Turville, Cooney, Moore, Davies (sub: Hearn); Horner, Brockbank (sub: Upton), Gellatly, Hillen, Tadman; Burns (sub: Zimmatore).

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Arundel 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
A nightmare four minute spell early in the second half condemned Wasps to defeat against Arundel at East Court. The visitors scored all their goals in that period as the defensive discipline which had characterised our performance until then disappeared. Injury-hit Grinstead, who were without five first team regulars, had been the better side up until the 48th minute and should have gone in front by half-time. But the game changed when Peter Benton’s mis-placed pass to Michael Turville 25 yards from goal was intercepted by the prolific Miles Scerri who needed no second invitation to advance into the box before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Dave Tidy. A minute later Turville’s mis-timed challenge on Garry Norgate sent the Arundel forward sprawling in the box and Scerri sent Tidy the wrong way from the penalty spot. We were still coming to terms with that double blow when Norgate’s left-wing cross was only cleared as far as Jason Wimbleton who made it 3-0 with a precise, sidefoot finish from 15 yards. Game over, and although there was no lack of effort, we never threatened a fight back in the remaining 40 minutes.
Assistant manager Dennis Moore said: “We did so well in the first half and if we’d gone in front as we deserved to then it would have been a different outcome. “Losing the first goal was bad enough, but then to concede two more so quickly was very disappointing. When we go behind we just can’t afford to let it affect us like that. “There were some pluses though. The work rate was again very good and at times in the first half we played some of our best football for ages. It’s just that on this occasion the end product was missing.”
Gellatly - heavy pitch Arundel’s Ben O’Connor was nevertheless the busier keeper either side of his side’s dramatic three-goal burst. He denied Kris Trevor after four minutes with a sprawling save and we went close again a minute later when Ben Burns was inches away from heading Trevor’s cross into an empty net. A heavy pitch deteriorated quickly in the incessant rain and for most of the first half both teams were intent on avoiding mistakes on a slippery surface which cut up quickly. But we looked the more threatening and James Horner’s curling effort after a neat three-man move missed the top corner by inches. Then more incisive passing created an opening for Trevor but his shot struck from 15 yards struck the inside of the post and bounced out. Had we scored first it would have been a different game, but once we had conceded those quick goals there was no way back. O’Connor made two more saves, denying Ben Burns on both occasions, but as conditions worsened the game was over as a spectacle, although the return of striker Aaron Zimmatore as a second half substitute gave the Grinstead faithful some hope. The striker hasn’t played since mid-September because of a knee injury and personal commitments, but his return will give boss Bob Smith some much-needed options in a squad which continues to be ravaged by injury and suspension.

Team: Tidy; Benton, Hearn (sub: (Brockbank 60), Turville, Cooney; Horner, Hillen, Gellatly, Tadman (sub: Zimmatore 70), Trevor (sub: Pike 77), Burns. Unused sub: Mann.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, East Preston 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Kris TrevorBEARING in mind all what happened, the players deserve every credit for a battling performance on Saturday against an East Preston side who had lost just once in their previous seven games. Especially as we hit back after going behind in the third minute when Matt Axell cut in from the right to drill a low shot past goalkeeper Dave Tidy. Wasps were level within three minutes. Trevor beat Dave Walker for pace on the right and found James Horner who finished sweetly for his second goal in two games since returning to the club from Redhill. Grinstead went in front after 18 minutes. Horner was the provider with a strong run down the right and his cross found Ben Burns who made space to beat Andy McCarthy with a low left-foot shot. The rest of the first half was fairly even with Tidy tipping Lee Farrell’s shot over the bar, but after the break East Preston got on top after pushing an extra man into midfield. Tidy made another instinctive save after 59 minutes when he pushed Farrell’s shot onto the underside of the bar with referee Croft turning down EP appeals that it had crossed the line. Tidy then produced a finger-tip effort to turn Seb Keet’s shot onto the woodwork but that was the last meaningful action before Wright’s injury. When the game resumed at 5.45pm the visitors were soon reduced to ten men after defender Walker was sent off for a foul on Burns, his second yellow card of the contest. Wasps settled on a containment policy whilst trying to sneak a third goal on the break and just about hung on to claim what could turn out to be a crucial three points.

Team: Tidy, Benton, Wright, Turville, Cooney, Horner, Gellatly, Hillen, Dart, Trevor, Burns. Subs (all used): Hearn, Tadman, Lynn.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Redhill 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone after an 83rd minute goal condemned them to a narrow defeat in Tuesday’s derby at East Court. Bob Smith had to do without four first-team regulars. Top scorer Kris Trevor was ill, Lee Hanson and Paul Davies were both suffering from knee injuries and Kevin Wright pulled out in the pre-match warm-up with a tight hamstring. James Horner came in for his debut on the right-hand side of midfield and there were recalls for Peter Benton, Mark Hillen and Simon Tadman, who partnered Ben Burns up front.
Grinstead began brightly but fell behind after seven minutes when Justin Jones’ quickly taken free-kick caught the defence and Dave Tidy flat-footed and ended up in the far corner. Wasps responded positively and Horner and Burns both squandered excellent chances before the equaliser came on 40 minutes when Horner cut inside from the right and although his first shot was blocked by Peter Heffer, he followed up to score against the club he only left earlier in the day.
Burns was denied by the crossbar four minutes into the second half after man of the match Dave Gellatly had teed him up for a 20-yard drive which came so close to giving the home side a deserved lead. But Wasps lost their way after that and Heffer wasn’t seriously extended again. Redhill began to look the more threatening and had a goal disallowed midway through the second half when the referee halted play just as Jones was scoring because Gellatly and Adam Dart were lying in the centre circle after an accidental clash of heads.
The visitors were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left after the referee spotted a push by Steve Moore on Ben Biggar, but Jones hit the post with his spot-kick. The reprieve was short-lived however as Michael Morgan was allowed the space to guide a low header into the far corner from a free-kick. Tidy got a hand to the ball, but couldn’t prevent it from going in. It was Redhill’s first league win in seven starts. Bob sent on all three outfield subs but there was no way back and Grinstead’s winless run is now eight games.
Bob said: “We should have been in front by half-time but the second half performance was very disappointing. We were obviously badly hit by injuries and I suppose the only consolation is that we know we are capable of going to Redhill and getting a result when we play them again next month.” Of the injured quartet, Trevor should return for Saturday’s home game against East Preston but the other three are unlikely to be fit.

Team: Tidy; Benton, Hillen (sub: Norris 84), Brockbank, Cooney, Moore (sub: Turville 76), Horner, Gellatly, Burns (sub: Arrow 69), Tadman, Dart. Unused sub: Whibley.

:: Chichester City Utd 5, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS’ winless run is now seven games after a heavy 5-2 defeat at last season’s County League champions Chichester on Saturday. This meant Bob Smith’s side remained second from bottom in the first division table.
In an extraordinary game, Grinstead were 3-0 down after just 16 minutes and looked as if they would get a pasting. But Chichester goalkeeper Robbie Stokes was sent off after 25 minutes and Grinstead fought back against the ten men to make it 3-2 with 28 minutes remaining.
The turning point came in the 69th minute when Dave Gellatly’s shot from just inside the box hit the inside of the post and bounced along the line before grateful City cleared the danger. Perhaps Grinstead knew it wasn’t going to be their day and, as they pushed forward for an equaliser, City picked them off with two goals in the last 11 minutes as midfielder Paul Thomas completed his hat-trick. Perhaps Wasps were still suffering a hangover from last Wednesday’s disappointment in the semi-final of the RUR Cup where the holders lost 1-0 to an extra time goal against Ringmer. Smith certainly couldn’t explain their chaotic defending in the first 16 minutes as Neil Murfin, Scott Tipper and Thomas all took advantage to put their side firmly in charge. But the visitors were thrown a lifeline when Stokes inexplicably picked the ball up outside his area as he collected a throw-in from Grinstead’s Ben Burns who was giving back possession after Chichester had knocked the ball out of play so Kris Trevor could get treatment for an injury. Davies goalThe referee showed Stokes a straight red and when City made a mess of Adam Dart’s subsequent free-kick, defender Paul Davies headed home his first goal since Wasps beat Chichester at East Court on November 27.
Grinstead levelled on 62 minutes when a neat move down the right ended with Trevor teeing up Burns for a simple finish, his first goal since December 18. And the visitors would have fancied their chances of a remarkable comeback had Gellatly’s effort bounced in rather than out after hitting the right-hand upright. Instead, Wasps were guilty of ball-watching as Thomas raced clear to make it 4-2 and he completed his hat-trick with five minutes remaining to round off a thoroughly depressing four days for Grinstead.
Smith said:“The first 15 minutes was awful and I wish I could explain why we were so bad, but once we got a toe-hold in the game we were much better. The incident when Dave Gellatly hit the post was the turning point. If that had gone in I think we would have gone on to win. Instead we pushed forward and were punished again.”

Team: Tidy, Moore (sub: Benton), Wright, Cooney, Davies; Gellatly, Brockbank, Hanson, Dart; Burns (sub: Tadman), Trevor.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Ringmer 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS lost their grip on the RUR Cup despite a courageous performance in Wednesday night's semi-final against Ringmer at The Beacon, home of Hassocks FC. We had to play with ten men for 53 minutes after Ben Brockbank, who had been booked in the first half for dissent, got a second yellow card in the 67th minute for a foul. The ten men eventually succumbed to a goal in the ninth minute of extra time when Dave Tidy was finally beaten by Matt Beeston's low shot from the edge of the box.
Ringmer were the better side in the first half and Tidy pulled off a magnificent one-handed save to keep out Reece¹s Head¹s close range header after 34 minutes. We were fortunate to be level at the break. But Wasps got better as the game progressed and had plenty of sights of Ringmer¹s goal in the second half although goalkeeper Ross Standen was mostly forced into making routine saves.
Even when we went down to ten men we looked more likely to break the deadlock and in injury time Kris Trevor got clear but was forced wide and screwed his shot just beyond the far post. On reflection, that was probably our best chance although Standen was fortunate to escape when he appeared to handle the ball outside his area deep into the second period. Most of our bench seemed to think he'd made contact. The first goal always looked like being crucial and Ringmer retreated into a defensive shell after Beeston's strike. Even Tidy came up for set pieces at the end and substitute Chris Arrow squandered a great chance to equalise in the last minute when he headed wide when a nod across goal would have given Kris a tap-in. Kevin Wright and Adam Dart joined Ben in the referee's notebook and the performance of referee Chris Pearce perplexed quite a few onlookers from the Sussex FA.
Despite this disappointment, boss Bob Smith was rightly proud of the players. "I thought they were magnificent against a good side who were always going to be hard to break down," he said. "Defensively we were superb and the work-rate was phenomenal. I have no complaints about our display. If we maintain that level of performance then we will soon start to climb the league table, hopefully starting against Chichester on Saturday."
Ben's red card was the second in three games for a Grinstead player, but the manager says anyone who thinks his team are dirty is wide of the mark.

Team: Tidy; Moore, Wright, Cooney, Davies (sub: Arrow 100); Gellatly, Hanson, Brockbank, Dart; Burns (sub: Tadman 68), Trevor. Unused subs: Hillen, Whibley, Turville.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Three Bridges 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Goalmouth actionSmith’s men competed well against a resurgent Bridges team who now have eight wins from their last ten games. But they conceded goals at bad times. There was little goalkeeper Dave Tidy could do about Danny Chapman’s stunning 35-yard strike in the fourth minute which flew into the top corner, one of the best goals seen at East Court for a long time. Dave Gellatly almost equalised ten minutes later when his shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar, but that proved to be Wasps’ best chance as they struggled to break down a well-organised defence. They fell 2-0 behind on 48 minutes after an uncharacteristic error by Paul Davies. With Tidy urging him to clear his lines, the centre-half tried a back pass which was intercepted by Gavin Jones who rounded Tidy to score easily. Wasps huffed and puffed but created little with Kris Trevor and Ben Burns getting no change up front against their old club and Pat Dunning raced clear to score in the 85th minute as Bridges avenged their early-season defeat by Grinstead in style.
Team: Tidy; Moore, Wright, Davies, Cooney; Benton (sub: Tadman), Gellatly, Hanson, Dart (sub: Arrow); Trevor, Burns. Unused subs: Hillen, Whibley.

:: Hailsham Town 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
BOSS Bob Smith believes Wasps’ first league point of 2005 will be the springboard for a climb up the County League table.
Grinstead slipped into the bottom two in the first division on Saturday despite coming from behind to grab a draw at the Beaconsfield with ten men after Dave Gellatly got his second red card of the season. Ironically, Gellatly’s dismissal for kicking the ball away – his second yellow card after he was cautioned in the first half for a foul – seemed to galvanise Grinstead.
Trevor bundled in his 15th of the season with 12 minutes to go – a big relief for Wasps’ top scorer who missed two good opportunities on a frustrating afternoon. Smith said: “The club and its supporters can be proud of the way the boys responded when Dave got sent off, they were all magnificent. The league is so close that we could be in the top half with a couple of wins. We have games in hand on everyone else too, but we have to take advantage of them. Hopefully this result will act as a springboard. We finished the game really strongly, but what we have to do is start games better. When we do that we look a good side.”
Gellatly wasn’t the only person who incurred the wrath of referee Peter Lindsey. Hailsham boss Ken McCreadie was sent from the dugout and then banished to the clubhouse in the first half for questioning some of the referee’s decision-making.
Against a side also at the wrong end of the table, Wasps knew they couldn’t afford a third successive league defeat but it looked likely after Hailsham took a 44th minute lead when Paul Richardson hit a sweet volley from 20 yards past Dave Tidy after a corner had been cleared to him.
In a scrappy first half Drew Cooney headed over Adam Dart’s cross and Trevor fired just wide when he sprung the offside trap while Hailsham defender Leon Legge was fortunate to escape with a clumsy challenge on Trevor inside the box. Smith felt Gellatly was hard done by, but having just cautioned Mark French for kicking the ball away, the referee had no choice when Gellatly did the same although the midfielder, clearly frustrated after he’d just been fouled, claimed his action wasn’t deliberate. If Gellatly felt a sense of injustice so did his team-mates.
Smith switched to three at the back and pushed Cooney into midfield and he began to dominate proceedings alongside the hardworking Lee Hanson. The equaliser came when Ben Burns got down the left and although Trevor didn’t make the best of contacts with his low cross he did enough to squeeze it over the line.
Wasps then had two great chances to collect all three points. Hailsham goalkeeper Nathan Gamester saved with his legs to deny Trevor and in injury time substitute Peter Benton’s shot struck the luckless Trevor in front of goal when it appeared to be going in.

Team: Tidy; Moore, Wright, Davies, Cooney; Tadman (sub: Benton 65), Gellatly, Hanson, Dart; Trevor, Burns. Unused subs: Arrow, Hillen.

:: Horsham YMCA 3, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
GRINSTEAD became runaway County League leaders Horsham YMCA’s latest victims as Bob Smith’s men went down 3-1 at Gorings Mead on Tuesday. YM lost 1-0 to Wasps in the RUR Cup in October and seemed in no mood to allow their visitors to repeat that result as they took control with two goals in the first 34 minutes. Joel O’Hara got them both, finishing off a sweeping move in the 11th minute before taking advantage of a rare mistake by Paul Davies to make it 2-0 on 34 minutes.
Dave Tidy made some good saves to make sure the contest wasn’t over by half-time and in the second period Grinstead began to make more of an impression. Wasps had a strong breeze behind them and didn’t let YM settle after the break. Good approach work by Ben Burns allowed Adam Dart to make it 2-1 on 56 minutes with a powerful finish from 15 yards into the top corner, but YM goalkeeper Ian Chatfield wasn’t called upon to make any more saves as the home side gradually re-asserted control. Midfielder James Grant exchanged passes with Nick Flint, one of four ex-Grinstead players in the home side, to make the points safe for YM in the 76th minute.
There were good displays from Dart, Simon Tadman and Burns – who replaced Chris Arrow in attack – and it was nice to see Steve Moore back in first team action as a substitute when Bob pushed Drew Cooney into midfield in the second half. Manager Bob Smith said: “I don’t think there is any disgrace in losing to the side who are going to win the league and deservedly so. I was impressed with them, particularly their work-rate. But there were some positives for us and when we got it back to 2-1 we rattled them without ever creating good chances to get a second goal.”

Team: Tidy; Turville, Davies, Cooney, Wright; Tadman, Hanson (sub: Moore 45), Gellatly, Dart (sub: Hillen 81), Trevor (sub: Arrow 85), Burns. Unused sub: Whibley.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Sidley United 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS missed out on a first ever appearance in the semi-finals of the John O’Hara County League Cup, but they must still be wondering now how they failed to get past Sidley at East Court on Saturday. Grinstead should have been out of sight within half an hour, but they squandered four gilt-edged chances and found themselves behind at half-time to a resilient Sidley outfit. Kris Trevor claimed his 14th goal of the season to equalise after 62 minutes and Wasps looked poised to go on and win the tie. But Sidley hung on as Wasps continued to be wasteful in front of goal and the visitors grew in confidence in extra time when Steve Morris scored a smashing winner in the 112th minute. It left Wasps still searching for their first win of 2005, but boss Bob Smith believes it won’t be far away if his side can rediscover their poise in front of goal. He said: “It was a good performance except in their box where a combination of good goalkeeping and heroic defending on their part and some poor finishing by us proved the difference. Sidley worked hard and never gave up, but even their manager admitted they rode their luck. If we’d been 4-0 up when they scored their first goal I don’t think they could have complained. We had enough chances to win three games to be honest.”
With Dave Gellatly and Simon Tadman cup-tied and Mark Hillen suspended, Smith brought back Luke Dunstan, Lee Hanson and Ben Brockbank to midfield and Wasps began brightly. But Chris Arrow, twice, and Brockbank missed good openings and in one incident Sidley kicked two shots off the line, goalkeeper Greg Thurston somehow kept out another effort and Adam Dart’s shot rattled the bar – all in the space of 20 seconds. So it was a shock when Sidley broke away to score from their first attack on 32 minutes when Keith Miles held off Peter Benton to find Owen Ball who had time and space to fire past Dave Tidy. To their credit, Wasps refused to let this setback affect them and the equaliser they deserved finally came 17 minutes into the second period. Dart led a counter-attack from the edge of his own box and found Brockbank whose pass split the defence, enabling Trevor to pick his spot. After that Grinstead had more great chances to win the tie with Drew Cooney blasting over from six yards before the same player headed against the post from similarly close range. Substitute Ben Burns was then denied by Thurston as the game went into extra time. It was only then that Wasps lack of match fitness – this was only their second game in a month – began to tell on a stodgy surface, although the game looked destined for a replay until Morris turned Michael Turville on the edge of the box and produced a finish worthy of winning any game as his left-foot volley flashed into the top corner, leaving Tidy helpless.
Grinstead’s players couldn’t believe how they had been mugged and they weren’t the only ones shaking their heads afterwards. “Just one of those days,” reflected Smith. “When you don’t take your chances it puts pressure on the back four and perhaps we could have defended both their goals a bit better although the winner was a great finish. I can’t criticise the effort at all from the lads.”

Team: Tidy; Benton, Wright, Cooney, Turville (sub: Davies); Dunstan, Hanson, Brockbank (sub: Lynn), Dart; Trevor, Arrow (sub: Burns).

:: Rye & Iden United 2, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS made a disappointing start to the new year as they suffered only their second defeat in the last seven games at third-placed Rye on Monday.
Two goals either side of half-time did the damage as an understrength Grinstead side were punished for failing to take their chances when they were on top in the first half.
With skipper Lee Hanson, James Holland, Paul Davies and Luke Dunstan all unavailable, boss Bob Smith had to re-shuffle the side with youth teamer Bobby Buckingham getting his first taste of senior action as a second half substitute at rightback when Michael Turville limped off.
It was Grinstead’s first game since December 18, but they looked the more likely to score after Shaun Loft had squandered a first-minute opportunity for the home side which he blazed over.
Top scorer Kris Trevor returned after a hamstring injury but he missed three opportunities he would normally have expected to take to add to his 13 goals so far.
Adam Dart’s pass put him clear on 13 minutes, but goalkeeper Will Toal smothered his close range shot. Then on the half-hour Trevor beat the offside trap and found himself with only Toal to beat, but his lob from outside the box dropped just the wrong side of the left-hand post.
Chris Arrow’s bullet header following another Dart assist scraped the post, but Rye had their moments too although Dave Tidy wasn’t called into action until he had to pick the ball out of the net on the stroke of half-time.
Andy Gorman’s cross from the by-line was inch-perfect for striker Shaun Loft who rose above Tidy and defender Michael Turville to score with a powerful close range header.
It was a huge blow to Grinstead and they still seemed to be feeling sorry for themselves at the start of the second half and on 54 minutes they found themselves 2-0 down.
Loft took advantage of a slip by Kevin Wright to make ground down the right and his pass found Gorman with time and space to fire a low, angled shot past Tidy from 12 yards.
Rye went for the kill and a minute later Peter Baker struck the post then Loft missed a decent opportunity following good work by Adams.
There didn’t appear to be any way back into the game for Grinstead at this stage, but they did improve in the last 20 minutes without ever threatening to fight back.
Dave Gellatly, captain in the absence of Hanson, tested Toal with a shot from 20 yards, Trevor saw a close range effort deflected wide by the goalkeeper and from Dart’s inswinging corner, Cooney’s flick-header was cleared off the line.
The game was played in good spirits, but both sides were fortunate to finish with 11 men after an 85th-minute flare-up involving an increasingly frustrated Hillen and Rye captain Duncan McArthur. Both players appeared to raise their hands, but referee Keith Stillwell showed both yellow cards when everyone was expecting red. Adam Dart was also booked for a second half foul.
Grinstead boss Smith had no complaints about the result. “The first goal, coming at a time when we were looking okay, really knocked the stuffing out of us,” he said. We got back into it again in the last 20 minutes but Rye deserved the result. They were missing a few players, like ourselves, but they have some quality replacements to call in. But I thought we looked a good side for the first 40 minutes and young Bobby Buckingham did well when he came on as a substitute.”

Team: Tidy, Benton, Wright, Hillen, Cooney, Turville (sub: Buckingham 70), Tadman, Gellatly, Arrow (sub: Burns 49), Trevor, Dart.

:: Eastbourne Town 2, East Grinstead Town 3 AET :: back to top Go to the top of the page
GRINSTEAD show no inclination to relinquish their grip on the RUR Cup after reaching the semi-finals with an extra time win at the Saffrons.
Missing top scorer Kris Trevor because of a hamstring injury, Wasps were trailing 1-0 when Dave Gellatly scored a 70th minute equaliser.
Goalkeeper Dave Tidy then made a succession of fine saves at the start of extra time despite being hampered by a pulled hamstring and Wasps picked off their hosts on the break as goals from Ben Burns and Adam Dart secured the holders a semi-final against Ringmer in the new year.
Manager Bob Smith said: “We got our rewards in the end because we worked so hard throughout the side. Dave kept us in it at the start of extra time, but we looked a threat on the break and took our chances which Eastbourne didn’t. I was really pleased for Ben. We know that at his best he is a goalscorer and his season hasn’t really got going yet because of injury, but hopefully he will kick on from this.”
Simon Tadman replaced Trevor up front to make his full debut and Luke Dunstan came in for the unavailable Peter Benton in the changes to the team which beat Southwick 4-0 the previous week.
But Wasps struggled for fluency in the first half and trailed to a 29th minute goal from Luke Denton whose 20 yard shot into the far corner just beat Tidy’s dive.
Tadman had Wasps’ best chance in the first half when he dragged a left-foot shot wide of the post but in the second half neither side posed much of an attacking threat, even though Smith switched to a 3-5-2 formation and sacrificed a defender with an hour played.
Gellatly equaliserBut Gellatly scored for the second successive game to equalise after 70 minutes when his shot from the left-hand edge of the box looped over goalkeeper Russell Tanner.
Wasps must have sensed the tide was turning on a ground where they haven’t lost for 11 years, but Tidy kept them in contention at the start of extra time.
The hamstring injury was clearly hampering his movement, but in the space of five minutes he pulled off four saves to deny Steve Dallaway, twice, Denton and Lee Walsh.
In front of him Paul Davies was again superb at centre-half and on 99 minutes Grinstead broke away to take the lead for the first time when Burns beat Tanner with an angled drive after Dart’s crossfield pass had opened up space on the right.
Three minutes later it was 3-1 when Dart turned in Gellatly’s low, left-wing cross and although debutant Steve King headed a second for Eastbourne in the 113th minute, Wasps held on to make it four wins from their last five games.

Team: Tidy; Dunstan, Wright (sub: Burns 45), Davies, Turville; Holland (sub: Cooney 60), Gellatly, Hanson, Dart; Tadman, Arrow.

:: East Grinstead Town 4, Southwick 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
RESURGENT Wasps chalked up their fourth win in five games in an incident-packed County League game at East Court.
Bob Smith’s men handsomely avenged last month’s Division One defeat by the same scoreline at Southwick, but their win came at a cost.
Kris Trevor (hamstring), Chris Arrow (ankle) and James Holland (ankle) all had to come off in the first hour and Grinstead played the last 16 minutes with ten men after half-time substitute Mark Hillen was sent off for two bookable offences, the second a kick at James Rhodes.
Wasps also missed a penalty while referee Shaheem Kamaldian’s erratic display hardly endeared him to either side or the home crowd.
The Burgess Hill official booked five other players, including Grinstead skipper Lee Hanson and Adam Dart, and played a total of 21 minutes injury time – 14 of them in the second half. The game finally finished at 5.05pm.
But the referee’s performance couldn’t take the gloss off a fine Wasps’ display which enabled them to climb two places to 14th.
Smith said: “Southwick had lost once in their last 12 games, but I thought we fully deserved to win so well. We kept another clean sheet, which all managers like, worked hard all over the pitch and carried a real goal threat. It was another really good performance.”
There were pluses all over the field for Smith. The back four were outstanding, restricting Southwick to just three clear sights of Dave Tidy’s goal. His best save came midway through the second half when a full-length dive turned Tom Levitt’s shot around the post.
Dave Gellatly revelled in his preferred role in the centre of midfield while Simon Tadman was an instant hit on his Grinstead debut when he came on at half-time with his electrifying pace and ability to deliver a telling final ball.
Trevor thought he’d scored in the second minute with a close range volley, but the goal was disallowed for a handball spotted by the stand side assistant.
But Wasps’ bright start was rewarded on ten minutes. Adam Dart’s inch-perfect pass sent Trevor racing clear of the visitors’ defence and he gave goalkeeper Richard Waters no chance with a powerful, close-range shot – his 13th goal in the last 12 games.
Trevor was involved again when Wasps doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Again he exploited space in the inside-left channel to get in a shot which Waters could only parry. Trevor intelligently rolled the loose ball back into the box and skipper Hanson scored his first goal for nearly four months with his left foot.
Trevor was then brought down when clean through by Mark Harris who was fortunate to get away with just a yellow card.
Trevor hurt his hamstring in the incident and was replaced by Tadman at the break, but Wasps continued to offer a threat and they scored their third on 57 minutes when Hillen released Arrow who beat Waters with a low, angled shot inside the far corner.
A spate of free-kicks disrupted the flow of the contest with players on both sides getting increasingly frustrated by the referee’s performance, but when Hillen got his marching orders, Wasps knew they still had some work to do.
However Peter Benton, Paul Davies and Michael Turville won most of the 50-50s and on the break Wasps were always a threat.
Gellatly's spot kick saved by Waters
Gellatly was brought down in the box by Tommy MacMillan in injury time and took the penalty himself. Waters dived to his right to save and although Gellatly hammered home the rebound, the referee ruled it out because he rather than a team-mate had taken the next touch.
But Gellatly wasn’t to be denied and he applied a far-post finish in what was effectively the 109th minute of an extraordinary match after good work down the right by Tadman and Grant Hearn who played for the last half hour as an emergency striker in his first taste of first-team action since September 11.

Team: Tidy; Benton, Turville, Davies, Wright; Holland (sub: Tadman 31), Hanson, Gellatly, Dart; Arrow (sub: Hearn 60), Trevor (sub: Hillen 45).

:: Pagham 0, East Grinstead Town 4 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
TWO-GOAL Chris Arrow pointed Wasps into the quarter-finals of the County League John O’Hara Cup as they tore ten-man Pagham apart on Saturday.

Boss Bob Smith was looking for a response from his side to last Tuesday’s 5-0 home defeat by Conference outfit Crawley in the Senior Cup where the compensation for the club was a record crowd for a competitive fixture at East Court of 867.

Smith got his wish despite the absence of two key players. Drew Cooney had to pull out because of a knee injury while Dave Gellatly was cup-tied, but Wasps were too strong for the toothless Lions after a goalless first half. They now entertain Sidley or Westfield in the last eight.
Only poor finishing prevented Wasps from breaking the deadlock before the break. Pagham goalkeeper Wes Hallett, whose afternoon was to get worse, twice saved from Kris Trevor and then denied James Holland while Paul Davies hit the bar with a volley after a free-kick was cleared to him on the edge of the box.

Adam DartBut Wasps always looked like they would get a goal and they had to wait just two minutes of the second half to go in front when Trevor’s pass released Adam Dart who surged into the left-hand side of the penalty area and slotted past Hallett for his first goal of the season.
Eight minutes later Trevor beat the offside trap as he raced on to a pass by Lee Hanson and Hallett had no option but to bring him down. Referee Ashley Slaughter sent off the Pagham goalkeeper and Trevor made it 2-0 from the resultant penalty, his 12th goal of the season.
Wasps were now in complete control and Arrow ended a seven-match run without a goal by bagging two inside four minutes.
Trevor and Davies combined to set up his first on 67 minutes which Arrow scored with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box. Four minutes later he volleyed home at the back post from James Holland’s deep cross.
At the other end Dave Tidy would have been happy with his fourth clean sheet of the season. Pagham offered little up front although Calum Britton squandered a good chance to score a consolation when he fired over in the last minute.

Team: Tidy; Benton, Wright, Hanson, Turville, Davies, Holland, Hillen, Arrow, Trevor (sub: Tramontin 71), Dart (sub: Dunstan 48).
Chris Arrow's 2nd goal Late action

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Crawley Town 5 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
THE biggest crowd to watch non-professional opposition at East Court saw Wasps predictably bow out of the Senior Cup to Conference high-fliers Crawley. A turnout of 867 - ten times the crowd which watched the Chichester match on Saturday - saw former Grinstead player Allan Tait (2), Neil Jenkins, Rob Traynor and Dan Platel get the goals in a 5-0 win for the visitors. But Wasps' boss Bob Smith was delighted with the team's performance. His only regret that his side didn't score at least once, despite creating some good chances. Straight after Jenkins' 32nd-minute opener, Kris Trevor got clear only to be foiled to Crawley goalkeeper Andy Little in a one-on-one. Then just before half-time, Kevin Wright tested Little with a shot after a 50 yard run and when the ball broke to Adam Dart, he was off balance and could only find the side netting.
Tait struck twice in two minutes early in the second half and two more goals in as many minutes from subs Traynor and Platel rounded off a comfortable win for Crawley. Smith said: "I was proud of the way we played. We looked well organised and were really disappointed at half-time to be losing. We let our guard slip in the second half a couple of times and were punished, but that was always going to happen."
Team: Tidy; Benton, Wright, Cooney, Davies; Holland (sub: Brockbank 74), Hanson (sub: Arrow 70), Gellatly, Hillen (sub: Thompson 57), Dart; Trevor. Unused subs: Whibley, Turville.

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Chichester City United 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
It looked like being a long afternoon for Grinstead when the visitors took a ninth-minute lead, but two goals in three first-half minutes from top scorer Kris Trevor and Paul Davies changed the complexion of a ferociously-fought contest.
Grinstead had to defend for long spells in the second half, but they still offered a threat on the counter-attack and substitute Dave Gellatly sealed a precious win with a third goal five minutes from time.
Boss Bob Smith was delighted with the result and his side’s performance.
He said: “After a dodgy first ten minutes I thought we were outstanding. The work-rate was superb, we defended really well and looked a threat every time we went forward.”
With fellow strugglers Three Bridges, Redhill and Sidley also winning it was a crucial victory, but such is the congested nature of the first division table Wasps find themselves just three points behind Hassocks, who are ninth.
After the injury problems which blighted the first three months of the season, Smith had the luxury of naming the team which had beaten Hailsham 4-1 in the League Cup the previous week, but they didn’t start well.
Chichester went ahead after nine minutes. Mark Hillen needlessly conceded possession some 25 yards out, Mark Wozniak’s pass opened up the defence and Olamede Dedegbe rolled his angled shot past Dave Tidy.
But Wasps gradually got to grips with a sticky pitch and their opponents and after skipper Lee Hanson directed a free header wide of the post, from Adam Dart’s excellent left-wing cross, they were level on 25 minutes.
Trevor sprinted onto Peter Benton’s long pass, rounded goalkeeper Barry Squires and fired in his 11th goal in eight games, bisecting two defenders on the line with his angled shot.
Grinstead went ahead three minutes later. James Holland swung over a corner from the left and Paul Davies rose to plant a free header past Squires for his second goal in as many games.
The re-start was delayed for ten minutes after referee Adrian Taylor was taken ill at half-time. Fortunately, Dick Milton – a former class one referee – answered the half-time SOS and took over on the line with Andrew Massey replacing Taylor in the middle.
As expected, Chichester pushed forward in the second half but Tidy was well protected by the players in front of him, in particular the outstanding Drew Cooney, and only had one save to make when he held on to Neil Murfin’s 20 yard volley through a crowd of players.
Chichester seem to run out of ideas as the game wore on and Wasps had already gone close through Trevor and Gellatly when they made the game safe, Gellatly shrugging off two challenges in the six-yard box to hammer an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
Not even late bookings for Dart and Kevin Wright could take the gloss off an excellent result and performance.
Team: Tidy; Benton, Dart, Hanson (sub: Gellatly 69), Cooney, Davies, Holland, Hillen, Arrow (sub: Thompson 77), Trevor, Wright. Unused sub: Foyle.

:: East Grinstead Town 4, Hailsham Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Wasps bounce back with cup win..... BOSS Bob Smith needed some good news at the end of a trying week and his team provided it with one of their best displays of the season in Saturday’s League Cup second round tie at East Court.
Top scorer Kris Trevor returned to the team and celebrated with two goals while defender Paul Davies got his first for the club and Phil Thompson marked his return to first-team duty with a goal as Wasps booked a third round trip to Pagham on December 18.
But it was the performance of Mark Hillen in midfield which impressed Smith the most.
Hillen lost his place following the return of Dave Gellatly, but with Gellatly cup-tied he took his opportunity and drove Grinstead forward for 75 minutes before departing to a generous ovation from the home crowd.
Smith said: “Mark wanted to prove me wrong for dropping him and he was superb throughout. If he maintains that level of performance then he will stay in the side, simple as that.”
Trevor ran Hailsham’s defence ragged and had his finishing been better he could have added to his tally.
But Grinstead were always in control once Davies had headed them into an 18th minute lead from Adam Dart’s corner.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic and Dave Tidy made good saves from Dave Richardson and Mark French, who also hit the post four minutes before Trevor got Grinstead’s second on 58 minutes when he robbed goalkeeper Mark Oldroyd and had the simple task of walking the ball into an empty net.
Trevor ghosted past the keeper to score after being released by Lee Hanson’s pass on 70 minutes and Thompson rounded things off in injury time with a well-taken strike following good work by Kevin Wright.
Nick Barden got Hailsham’s consolation from a 78th minute penalty – the fourth Wasps have conceded in their last five games – after Wright had brought down Simon Stevens.
Smith added:“After such a poor display at Southwick we bounced back in the manner I expected. Now we have to build on it in the league".
Wasps entertain mid-table Chichester on Saturday (3pm) when Gellatly returns. Striker Chris Arrow will need treatment after coming off on Saturday with a sore groin.
Team: Tidy; Benton, Dart, Cooney, Davies; Holland, Hillen (sub: Brockbank 75), Hanson, Dart; Trevor, Arrow (sub: Thompson 52).

:: Southwick 4, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Wasps well beaten by Wickers.....
MIDFIELDER Dave Gellatly was sent off as Wasps crashed to a heavy defeat at Old Barn Way on Saturday.

Gellatly got his marching orders midway through the second half after an off-the-ball tussle with James Rhodes which was spotted by the assistant referee.

Rhodes was booked, but Gellatly saw red – apparently for raising his hand to his opponent – and although Grinstead boss Bob Smith was furious with referee Simon Griffiths, Gellatly seemed to have few complaints about the decision.

Trailing 2-0 at the time, Wasps conceded two more goals inside two minutes and although Southwick were flattered by their margin of victory, they were deserved winners.

Grinstead enjoyed their best spell either side of half-time when a goal their pressure merited could have changed the complexion of the contest. Instead, their best effort came in the 87th minute when Chris Arrow’s low shot came back off the post.

Wasps missed the cutting edge up front of Kris Trevor and too often, particularly in the first half, they gave the ball away cheaply.

In Trevor’s absence, Smith reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation with Matt Thorpe brought in on the right-hand side of midfield. Thorpe had little impact, but Wasps had more joy down the left once Kevin Wright had replaced Ben Brockbank after 33 minutes and resumed his productive partnership with Adam Dart.

But Grinstead were already 2-0 down by then. Dave Tidy was beaten by Tommy McMillan’s speculative effort from 30 yards after 16 minutes and the Grinstead ‘keeper may reflect that he ought to have done a bit better on that one.

But Tidy had no chance when Southwick’s powerful striker Jon Donoghue shrugged off both Drew Cooney and Paul Davies before poking home for 2-0 on 21 minutes.

Towards the end of the first half Grinstead started to play with a bit more purpose, but they were often outplayed in midfield with Gellatly having an off day and strikers Martin Millins and Arrow living off scraps.

Things improved in the second half and for 20 minutes Southwick were rocking. Millins raced clear but saw his shot tipped over by Ronan O’Callaghan, but despite enjoying lots more possession that was the closest Grinstead came to turning their spell of pressure into a goal.

Southwick always looked a threat. Tidy made a superb reflex save when Carl Dunk got clear and Donoghue missed a great chance when he fired wide from six yards.

But Gellatly’s departure knocked the stuffing out of Grinstead and Donoghue got his second in the 79th minute when he beat Tidy with a low shot from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later a slick Southwick move ended with Rhodes slotting past Tidy from close range.

Team: Tidy; Benton, Dart, Davies, Cooney; Thorpe, Hanson (sub: Hillen 71), Gellatly, Brockbank (sub: Wright 36); Arrow, Millins.


:: Arundel 3, East Grinstead Town 4 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
MANAGER Bob Smith's bold move to play three strikers reaped a handsome dividend as Wasps bounced back from their midweek setback at Ringmer to record only their second away win of the season on Saturday.
Top scorer Kris Trevor netted his seventh and eighth goals of the season and Martin Millins celebrated his full debut with a brace as Grinstead came from behind to win a seven-goal thriller at Mill Road.
In a congested County League first division, where just 11 points seperate second top from second bottom, it was a crucial win for Grinstead who have now won four of their last six games.
Smith made the tactical change after his side had struggled to create much during last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Ringmer.
Millins operated just behind Trevor and Chris Arrow and the former Tunbridge Wells man caused the home defence all sorts of problems with his movement and ability to pick a pass.


Smith said: "I was delighted with how the three up front worked. It was a bit of a gamble but it paid off. Martin made both of Kris's goals and Kris created Martin's two which illustrated how well they seemed to hit it off.
"Chris Arrow was always a threat in the air and won his fair share of headers and the whole side worked well.
"We conceded three goals which was disappointing, but it was that sort of game. Both sides were committed to attack and it must have been a terrific match to watch."
Andy Cairns' close range effort gave Arundel the lead after 13 minutes, but Trevor finished off a good move to equalise 13 minutes later.
Barry Pidgeon restored Arundel's lead on the stroke of half-time, but Wasps found more space in the second half as the game got stretched and exploited it to the full.
Millins levelled on 58 minutes and Trevor created his second goal with 20 minutes to go to put Grinstead ahead for the first time. And it was 4-2 on 75 minutes when Trevor produced an instinctive back-heel from Millins' low cross to score a goal worthy of a higher level.
Grinstead had to survive a hairy last ten minutes after Miles Scerri converted a penalty following a handball by Michael Turville who had come back into the side for the unavailable Paul Davies.
But Wasps held on and will be looking to maintain their good form on Saturday when they visit Southwick in the league (ko 3.00pm).
Team: Tidy; Benton, Dart, Turville, Cooney; Brockbank, Hanson, Gellatly; Arrow (sub: Thorpe 70), Trevor, Millins. Unused subs: Holland, Shuga'a.
:: Ringmer 2, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
GRINSTEAD'S four-match unbeaten run ended at the Caburn Field on Tuesday where a narrow defeat against in-form Ringmer left us hovering just above the County League first division relegation zone.
Ringmer, who have now won six on the trot, deserved their narrow win in a game of few chances although Wasps contributed to their own downfall.
The home side's strong start was rewarded in the 13th minute when Dominic Shepherd took advantage of confusion between Dave Tidy and Paul Davies to steer the ball into an empty net from the edge of the penalty area.
Grinstead levelled after 27 minutes when the referee spotted a defender tugging Chris Arrow's shirt and Dave Gellatly made no mistake from the resultant penalty.
But within three minutes Ringmer won a penalty of their own when the assistant spotted handball against Drew Cooney as he charged down a cross from the right. Tidy made amends for his mis-judgement on the first goal by plunging to his right to keep out Danny Bird's poorly struck spot-kick.
Wasps played down the notorious Ringmer slope in the second half and must have fancied their chances, but within four minutes they found themselves 2-1 down. Shepherd duped Peter Benton into conceding a free-kick on the edge of the box and Luke Gedling's effort took a big deflection off James Holland in the wall and left Tidy wrong-footed.
Lee Hanson had Wasps' best chance of an equaliser on the hour when his right-foot effort rolled narrowly wide, but despite plenty of possession - particularly in the last 15 minutes - Ringmer goalkeeper Ross Standen didn't have to make a save of note.
Manager Bob Smith said: "Their manager John Crumplin reckoned we were the best side they've played all season which is a compliment I suppose, but I know we can play a lot better than that.
"We didn't carry enough of a threat, especially in wide areas, and we gave away two very poor goals.
"They will be a top-six side and I still think we will improve. But we need to go on a run because it's still very close at the bottom of the table. One or two teams normally start getting cut off at this stage of the season but that's not happening. There doesn't seem to be a lot between a lot of sides in this division."
Team: Tidy; Benton, Dart, Cooney, Davies; Holland (sub: Millins 66), Gellatly, Hanson, Brockbank; Arrow (sub: Hillen 80), Trevor. Unused sub: Shuga'a.

:: Horsham YMCA 0, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
IMPROVING Wasps produced their best result of the season so far at Gorings Mead as they showed little inclination to loosen their grip on the RUR Cup. The holders became the first Sussex side to beat runaway County League leaders Horsham YMCA this season and now face a trip to Eastbourne Town in the quarter-finals. Wasps have won three of their last four games and manager Bob Smith believes it's no coincidence that results have improved since the return of key personnel following injury. Adam Dart was back after two months out with knee trouble and proved an effective presence on the left hand side while Smith believes he was found his best partnership in central defence with Paul Davies alongside Drew Cooney.
Smith said: "We rode our luck a bit but that is going to happen against YM. They beat us 1-0 in the league in August and their side has improved since then. But so have we, particularly in the last month as players have started to return." Smith still thinks Grinstead are capable of further improvement. He believes most of the squad have work to do on their fitness while Matt Thorpe, Martin Millins and Phil Thompson will offer further options once they regain match sharpness in the reserves. "Having competition for places is important," he added. "With everyone available I believe we have one of the best squads in the league and hopefully we have started to prove that now."
Wasps' biggest let-off on Saturday came three minutes after Kris Trevor had worked a neat exchange with Dave Gellatly before scoring his sixth goal in four games with a low shot past Ian Chatfield from just inside the box.


Dart was penalised for handball in the 79th minute, although it seemed nothing more than self defence as he tried to block a shot from Wayne Potter. But Nick Flint skied the penalty high and wide of the target to complete a miserable afternoon for the former Wasps' striker. Flint missed an open goal in the first half and was denied on two occasions by Dave Tidy in the second half when he only had the goalkeeper to beat. But apart from that, Wasps managed to keep a relatively tight reign on the home forwards who failed to score in a game against Sussex opposition for the first time this season. That was a tribute to the hard work of Tidy and the back four in front of him in which Davies and the increasingly reliable Peter Benton stood out.
Gellatly had the best opportunity apart from the goal midway through the second half when a slalom run took him past two defenders to the edge of the box but his shot drifted the wrong side of the post.
Team: Tidy; Benton, Dart, Hanson, Cooney, Davies, Holland, Brockbank, Arrow (sub: Millins 60), Trevor, Gellatly. Unused subs: Hillen, Turville.

:: Sidley United 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
One point at Sidley, but it should have been three...
WASPS moved clear of the County League relegation zone after this draw, but boss Bob Smith felt his side should have collected three points at a wet Gullivers after they twice surrendered a hard-earned lead.
Chris Arrow, after just four minutes, and Ben Brockbank¹s first senior goal for Grinstead were cancelled out by Ben White and Kevin Rose, the Sidley equaliser coming six minutes from time.
Smith said: “The second half was a cracking affair, but I felt we should have won. We created some good chances and had two goals disallowed, one of which looked a very harsh decision.
“But we’re unbeaten in three games now and we’re starting to get some momentum. Players are coming back from injury who will improve us and there’s no reason why we can’t put together a good run of results over the next few weeks.”
Dave Gellatly had to settle for a place on the bench after completing his move back to East Court from Redhill as Smith kept faith with the side which had beaten Eastbourne Town in their last league fixture.
And Town made the perfect start when they went in front after just four minutes. From a quick free-kick, James Holland crossed from the right and Arrow headed home from 15 yards, his third goal in the last four games.
Neither side created too much in the first half on a heavy pitch which had received a soaking just before kick-off. The experienced Keith Miles had Sidley¹s best chance but fired well off target when he was left unmarked.
At the other end Arrow shot straight at goalkeeper Greg Thurston after strike partner Kris Trevor robbed Lewis Parsons.
The second half was much more lively as play raged from end to end.
Brockbank headed a good chance wide from Holland¹s cross on 52 minutes, but two minutes later Sidley levelled. Goalkeeper Dave Tidy pushed out Steve Morris¹s shot, but White reacted sharply to tuck away the rebound.
Gellatly came on after an hour and immediately began to have an influence on proceedings as Wasps got back on top.
Thurston produced a flying save to keep out Holland¹s drive in the 70th minute but Grinstead regained the lead after 77 minutes. Gellatly beat two men in a storming run down the left and his far post cross was headed home from close range by Brockbank.
But Sidley replied with a second equaliser four minutes later, substitute Rose finding the bottom corner with a low shot from 20 yards.
Even then Wasps might have won it when Thurston could only palm out Arrow’s header to Trevor, but Wasps’ top scorer found the side netting when he seemed certain to score.
Team: Tidy; Benton, Shuga¹a (sub: Davies 66), Turville, Cooney; Holland, Hillen (sub: Gellatly 60), Hanson, Brockbank; Arrow (sub: Anderson 84), Trevor.

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Eastbourne Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Two more for Trevor in crucial league success...
Bob Smith was forced into an enforced change to the team which had beaten Southwick the previous week when new signing Paul Davies had to drop out with a knee injury. Peter Benton came in at rightback for his first first-team start since March 2002 with Michael Turville slotting in alongside Drew Cooney at the heart of the defence.
Wasps looked the more threatening side from the start. Ben Brockbank missed a good chance after just five minutes when he fired wide after Trevor’s shot had rebounded off a defender and Eastbourne goalkeeper denied Kris Trevor and Chris Arrow before Wasps deservedly took a 32nd-minute lead.
James Holland’s corner was flicked on by skipper Lee Hanson and Trevor turned and fired into the roof of the net in one instinctive movement.
It was high class finish by Trevor who relished the extra space afforded him in the second half when Eastbourne began to commit more players forward and left gaps at the back.
Arrow fired wide after good work by Brockbank but the crucial second goal arrived on 65 minutes and it was an absolute cracker. Hanson and Mo Shuga’a worked a neat one-two down the left and the cross from Shuga’a was perfect for Trevor who swivelled and cracked a powerful shot from 10 yards past the helpless Tanner.
The game was won in the 72nd minute when Trevor dummied Holland’s corner and as the visitors’ defence hesitated, Arrow stooped to head home from close range.
Brockbank should have crowned his best performance for Grinstead at this level with a goal three minutes later, but he headed Trevor’s cross over an unguarded goal from four yards.
There was a sting in the tail when Loft struck twice to give Eastbourne some respectability. Turville blotted his copybook when he allowed the former Rye hitman to head home Gavin Ramsden’s free-kick and Loft made it an anxious last couple of minutes for the home fans when he converted a penalty following a push on John Steel by substitute Seb Mann.
But Wasps were deserved winners and the evidence after successive home wins is that they have put their poor early season form behind them. There are even encouraging signs in regard to the club’s lengthy injury list.
Team: Tidy, Benton, Shuga’a, Hanson, Cooney, Turville, Holland, Brockbank, Arrow (sub: Anderson 75), Trevor, Hillen (sub: Mann 79).

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Southwick 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Cup defence begins with a welcome win...
A SUPERB hat-trick from Kris Trevor fired Wasps to their first win in eight games as they began their defence of the Sussex RUR Cup with a deserved victory at East Court on Saturday.
In only his second game after recovering from a knee injury, Trevor opened his account for the season inside the first minute.
He added two more either side of the break – the second an outstanding individual eff