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First Team Match Reports 2006 / 07 Season

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:: East Grinstead Town 4 Southwick 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS saved one of their best performances of the season until their final game as they won only their third match since January to secure a final position of 11th in County League division two.

Three goals were reward for an excellent second-half display with top scorer Ben Burns scoring the best goal at East Court all season to round things off.

Drew Cooney's pass found Burns 25 yards out on the left and he turned to hit a dipping volley which flew past goalkeeper Keith Cheal into the roof of the net. It was Grinstead's top scorer's 17th of the season.

Boss Steve Norris said: "It was no different from a lot of our performances in the second half of the season with one exception - we managed to finish things off in front of goal.

"Getting the second goal just after half-time gave us the confidence to go on and win the game and it was a nice finish to the season for the supporters."

Two sides going through the motions in mid-table did not promise much but both tried to play decent football on a rock-hard pitch and it made for an entertaining 90 minutes.

Wasps went ahead in the 16th minute when James Horner's pass down the right found Jez Tobin in space and he clipped the ball past Cheal from a tight angle for his sixth goal of the season.

But Southwick levelled on 25 minutes when Lee Whibley came racing out of his goal to deal with a long ball into the box but failed to clear and Jamie Stidforde held off two defenders to steer his shot into an empty net.

Southwick looked the more likely side to take control at that stage but Norris fired his men up at half-time and within two minutes of the re-start Horner scored from close range after Grant Rigler's clever pass set up the chance.

Burns, Horner, Rigler and Matt Thorpe could all have extended Wasps' lead but Southwick were still a threat and Ryan Lipscombe nearly equalised when his volley struck the outside of the post with Whibley beaten.

Grinstead needed a third goal to make sure and Gellatly provided it with his 11th of the season after 87 minutes. Horner and Burns combined to create the space and his shot had too much power for Cheal, who managed to get a gloveless hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Burns then capped an impressive second-half performance with his stunning strike.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham (sub: Tilley 79), Dart, Turner, Pelling, Cooney, Horner, Gellatly, Rigler (sub: Green 79), Tobin (sub: Burns 50), Thorpe.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Crawley Down 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
STEVE Norris questioned his side's desire after Saturday's local derby ended in a disappointing defeat.

Down avenged their home defeat to Wasps earlier in the season and secured their place in the second division for another year with their win. But Norris expected more from his team, who have lost three of their four local derbies this season.

He said: "Crawley Down had more to play for but that is no excuse - they were more up for the game than us and that is very disappointing. "I wasn't happy with our commitment and desire and I have told the players. We didn't pass the ball well and we gave it away too often as well. "Having said that, when we equalised I thought we would go on and win the game."

Wasps, who have only scored five goals in their last ten games, paid dearly for another frustrating performance in front of goal.

Dave Gellatly hit a first-half penalty past the post and Wasps twice struck the woodwork before Ben Burns got them back into the game with a 67th-minute equaliser only for Tom Saunders to grab the winner.

Grinstead made the worst possible start when they went behind after three minutes.

They failed to clear a cross from the left and when the ball broke to Mark Saunders, he fired home from close range. It was just the start the visitors needed but Wasps responded admirably and should have been in front by the interval.

James Horner produced a great turn and shot after 15 minutes but his effort hit the bar with keeper Jimmy Arnold beaten.

Nine minutes later ex-Wasp Peter Benton brought down Adam Dart in the box but Gellatly's penalty was poorly struck wide of the left-hand post as Arnold dived the other way.

It was developing into another frustrating afternoon for Grinstead. A minute before the break Dart and Richard Foyle combined well down the left and Foyle's cross found Jez Tobin unmarked six yards out but he could only direct his header against the bar.

Robbie Collins hit the top of the net with his shot five minutes after the break following a neat link-up with Tom Saunders as the visitors made a positive start to the second half.

Top scorer Ben Burns came on after 58 minutes and nearly equalised with his first touch when his volley from the edge of the box flashed wide. But Burns grabbed his 15th goal of the season after 67 minutes and it was no more than Grinstead deserved. He played a one-two with Dart inside the box before firing past Arnold.

At that stage the home fans must have been contemplating a league double over their local rivals but with 16 minutes to go they conceded a sloppy second.

Goalkeeper Lee Whibley failed to gather Sam Cane's effort from distance and Tom Saunders was first to react to fire in the loose ball.

Norris threw on youth team striker Zac DeCambre for the last ten minutes but the home side failed to create another clear-cut chance.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham (sub: Tilley 72), Foyle (sub: DeCambre 80), Turner, Pelling, Cooney, Thompson, Gellalty, Horner (sub: Burns 58), Tobin, Dart. Sub not used :Rigler, Green.

:: St Francis Rangers 2, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS were back to their frustrating ways on Saturday when they lost to two first-half goals against the County League division two promotion chasers despite carving out plenty of chances.

After picking up four points in their previous two games, boss Steve Norris was looking to his side to continue their improved form.

But it wasn't to be although Norris wasn't entirely unhappy with their performance. He said: "We played okay and if we had scored a goal when we were on top in the first half I think we would have got something out of the game."

The home side went in front after six minutes. Sam Jeremiah, whose pace caused Wasps problems throughout, threaded a pass to Louis Pople and he fired a right-foot shot past Lee Whibley.

Grinstead recovered their composure but a familiar tale of misses in front of goal meant they could not get the equaliser they deserved.

Andy Turner's cross found Dave Gellatly and he teed up Jimmy Horner but his shot brought a good save out of Saints' keeper Simon Lehkyj.

Drew Cooney and Horner were both off target when well placed and Adam Dart could not get the decisive touch in front of goal after a throw-in caused problems in the home defence.

Turner again went close and Matt Thorpe's powerful drive was saved but Wasps were hit with a sucker punch just before half-time. A ball over the top unhinged their creaky offside trap and Jeremiah raced clear to beat Whibley and make it 2-0.

The home side protected their lead well in the second half to restrict Wasps to just half-chances which Horner, Turner and Gellatly could not convert.

And St Francis could have had a third when the dangerous Jeremiah hit the bar in the 55th minute.

Norris added: "The second half fizzled out a bit which was disappointing."

Grinstead: Whibley; Buckingham, Foyle, Tilley, Cooney; Tobin (sub: Burns), Thorpe, Turner, Dart; Horner (sub: De Cambre), Gellatly.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Westfield 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS produced one of their best performances of the season to end second-placed Westfield's title hopes at East Court on Tuesday. Grinstead's first win in 12 games lifted them two places up the second division table to 10th was fully deserved after they scored twice in the first 11 minutes.

Dave Gellatly burst into the box after eight minutes and fired a low shot past Gavin Bourne to give them the perfect start.

And they doubled their lead in spectacular style three minutes later. Bourne's clearance fell to Matt Thorpe 40 yards out. The midfielder controlled it and then volleyed it back towards goal and although Bourne managed to get a hand on his shot he was unable to stop it from going in.

Wasps played some great football in the first half with their crisp passing often stretching a hesitant Westfield defence.

James Horner and Gellatly could have added to their lead but Westfield were transformed in the second half as they committed more men forward and played at a much higher tempo.

Gellatly should have made it 3-0 on 64 minutes when he got clean through but fired his shot wide with only Bourne to beat, the ball taking a nasty bobble as he was about to shoot.

Within two minutes Danny Pepper had headed Westfield back into the contest from a corner, although neither the referee or linesman failed to spot that goalkeeper Lee Whibley had been impeded as he came to claim the ball.

Westfield pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Wasps held firm with Marc Pelling and Drew Cooney outstanding in the middle of their defence. They offered Whibley such good protection that the goalkeeper didn't have another save to make even though the visitors got into plenty of promising situations.

Manager Steve Norris said: "Our first half performance was one of our best of the season, we played some great football. In the second half I thought we defended really well. It's a good win and will give us confidence to go through the rest of the season unbeaten."

Grinstead: Whibley; Buckingham, Foyle, Cooney, Pelling; Tobin, Thorpe, Turner, Dart; Gellatly, Horner (sub: Burns 79). Unused subs: DeCambre, Rigler.

:: Sidlesham 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Goalkeeper Lee Whibley, who has played in every game this season, was at fault for Sidlesham's opener when he mis-kicked his first clearance straight to Graham Rowland who could not believe his luck as he fired into an empty net with only 15 seconds gone.

It was the worst possible start for a side low on confidence but Wasps were level within a minute. Adam Dart's cross found Gellatly in the box and he side-stepped two defenders before finding the net.

Wasps were the better side for the remainder of the first half. Jez Tobin had a header cleared off the line and James Horner twice found Gellatly with crosses which he failed to convert as first a header and then a fiercely-struck drive flew wide of the post.

There were other chances for Horner and Tobin but Wasps got the second they deserved on the stroke of half-time. Horner's right-wing cross picked out Gellatly and he found the bottom corner with a powerful left-foot drive.

Norris could probably have done without the interval such was the momentum his side had built up and within four minutes of the re-start it was 2-2. Cooney made his only mistake of the day when he slipped and Ryan Seacombe took advantage of the space to beat Whibley from close range. Both sides pressed forward in search of the winner and occasionally Wasps looked vulnerable to Sidlesham's counter-attacks.

But they also carved out good chances of their own. Tobin got clear of the offside trap but couldn't get the ball from under his feet to shoot himself, turned to find Andy Turner who fires over. Thorpe also went close with a cross-shot and in the final moments Gellatly did well to control Thorpe's pass on the rock-hard pitch but could only fire over the bar when well placed.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Pelling, Cooney; Horner, Turner, Thorpe, Dart; Gellatly, Tobin. Subs: B.Cooney (for D.Cooney). Unused: DeCambre, Rigler.

:: Broadbridge Heat 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS' woes continued when an 87th-minute goal condemned them to a seventh successive defeat.

It is now ten hours and 15 minutes since Grinstead's last goal but boss Steve Norris is confident the tide will soon turn after a much better performance which lacked just one thing - an end product.

He said: "The only thing I can complain about the performance is that sometimes we try and score the perfect goal and don't get the ball into the box quickly enough.

"I do encourage the lads to play football and sometimes we can over-do it. But there were lots of good signs on Saturday and decent performances. All we need is for the ball to go in off someone's backside and then we'll be off and running again. We haven't played well at times recently but I can have no complaints about Saturday."

With five games to go, three of which are at home, Grinstead can still finish in the top half of the table and Norris says that is their aim.

"We're down to 12th but I don't think that reflects the efforts everyone has put in," he added. "We are on a bad run and that needs to end as soon as possible, but I believe we are only one good result from turning things around and I have every confidence in the players that they will do that."

Norris had to re-shuffle the team again with Jez Tobin (ankle), Matt Thorpe(back) and Matt Bradford (ankle) all ruled out along with long-term absentees Ben Burns and Tom Green.

But the decision to play Andy Turner alongside Dave Gellatly in the centre of midfield was a success. Turner was Grinstead's best player, according to Norris, and he went close to capping his performance with a goal when his 30-yard drive shaved the post in the first half.

Other chances fell to Dave Gellatly, Adam Dart and Phil Thompson, who played up front alongside Grant Rigler. Rigler worked hard and held the ball up well and had his best game in a Grinstead shirt, in his manager's opinion.

But all the time Wasps failed to turn their territorial superiority into goals they are vulnerable at the other end.

Lee Whibley made one tremendous save at full stretch to keep out Warren Sweatman's first-half header.

And Heath punished them three minutes from time when a Grinstead attack down the right broke down, Heath countered quickly and Sweatman slid in to convert a low cross.

Norris added: "It was a real sucker punch. We had 70 per cent of the game so to lose so late hurt. But it was still a much improved performance and I'm confident things will turn round for us soon."

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham, Wright, Cooney, Pelling; Horner, Gellatly, Turner, Dart; Thompson, Rigler. Subs (both used): Harris, Foyle.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Steyning 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
STEVE Norris hopes a change of month means a change of luck for his side after a miserable March ended with a sixth successive defeat.

A goal in each half earned Steyning victory at East Court on Saturday as our goal drought stretched to 7hrs 45mins.

The sides were evenly matched except in the department which matters most - and Steve, a former striker himself of course, admitted afterwards that his side's confidence desperately needs lifting.

He said: "It wasn't a bad performance by any means and everyone worked hard. But when you can't finish off what you create in front of goal you are going to put yourself under pressure and that is what's happening to us at the moment."

Wasps' problems are made worse by the absence of 15-goal top scorer Ben Burns who is unlikely to play again this season because of torn stomach muscles.

Norris added: "We need a break in front of goal and once we do score I'm sure the confidence will come flooding back because we will have something to build on."

While fragile Wasps failed to finish off their approach work, a more direct Steyning side showed them how to do it.

Greig Hearne had already missed two clear openings when he put the visitors ahead after 39 minutes with a far-post volley after Wasps had failed to clear a corner.

And the game was up for Grinstead on 76 minutes when Shaun Hourigan profited after Hearne had laid the ball into his path following another cross.

If only Wasps had managed to stick away one of their chances it could have been so different.

Phil Thompson hit the post with a seventh-minute header and also had a goal disallowed but in midfield Wasps often struggled to sparkle and there was a worrying lack of creativity at times.

With a strong wind at their backs in the second half, Grinstead pressed and wasted two good chances in three minutes.

Dave Gellatly fired past the post after good work by James Horner on 55 minutes and three minutes later Horner again failed to hit the target after he was put through.

As we started to run out of ideas and their miserable afternoon in front of goal was summed up when substitute Grant Rigler failed to test Steyning 'keeper Dave Angell from six yards.

Wasps stay tenth in the table and must hope a change of month brings a change in fortune, starting at Broadbridge Heath on Saturday (3pm) when defender Matt Bradford will be available after completing a four-match ban.

Team: Whibley; Buckingham, Wright, Pelling, Cooney; Thompson, Thorpe, Gellatly, Dart; Tobin, Horner. Subs: Rigler, Turner, Neville.

:: Lingfield 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
LINGFIELD completed the double over Wasps at Godstone Road after another frustrating 90 minutes for boss Steve Norris and his side.

Matt Scutter got the decisive goal in the 65th minute when he found space at the far post to convert a right-wing cross.

Wasps had plenty of possession and sights at goal but Lingfield keeper Mike Wakefield was only ever forced into routine saves as Grinstead's goal drought stretched to over six hours. It was also their sixth defeat in the last seven games and after a dismal March a new month can't come quickly enough.

With Ben Burns still resting by a stomach muscle injury, Wasps once again lacked a cutting edge up front although there was no lack of effort from either Grant Rigler or Jez Tobin.

That applied to the whole side and, in the second half in particular, Lingfield were content to soak up pressure and try and counter-attack which they did successfully to get the decisive goal.

Matt Thorpe, with one of his long-range specials, Phil Thompson and Dave Gellatly all had chances to equalise and even at the end, after forcing successive corners, substitute Marc Pelling could only shoot straight into Wakefield's hands when the ball fell to him ten yards out.

Pelling had come in near the end of the first half when Tom Green had to be taken off following a clash of heads with a broken nose.

Having just returned after three months out with ankle trouble, it was another disappointing blow for the young defender.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Wright, Thorpe, Green (sub: Pelling 35), Cooney(sub: Dart 85), Thompson, Gellatly, Rigler (sub: Horner 61), Tobin, Turner. Unused sub: Belli.

:: Pagham 3, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS slumped to their fourth successive defeat on Saturday and could have few complaints about the outcome against the second division leaders.

Steve Norris's men looked the better side for the first 20 minutes, but once the hosts had taken the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, the confidence seemed to drain out of Grinstead.

This was their fifth defeat in the last six games and they dropped down to ninth in the table as a result, their lowest position since Norris took over in October.

Norris said: "For the first 20-25 minutes we were the better side but once they scored our heads dropped.

"We're on a poor run and confidence is low but we're only one good performance away from turning it around. We couldn't have any complaints about losing on Saturday but once again it proved that there is not a lot to choose between most of the teams in this division."

Wasps were without the suspended Matt Bradford, 15-goal top scorer Ben Burns, who has been told to rest a stomach muscle strain, and the injured Phil Thompson, Adam Dart and James Horner.

In Burns' absence, Grant Rigler started his first game up front since October 28 and created an early chance for Matt Thorpe which the midfielder fired wide.

Grinstead looked sharp in the early stages but neither goal had been threatened until Pagham went in front after 25 minutes.

Doug Peach completely mis-hit his shot after Wasps failed to clear a throw but the ball fell conveniently at the feet of Rob Wimble, who gave Lee Whibley no chance.

Pagham's spirits soared while Wasps looked deflated and 12 minutes later the hosts had a second goal. The normally reliable Drew Cooney tried to play his way out of trouble on the edge of the box but lost possession and Peach intercepted before firing past Whibley.

It was hard to see a way back for a Grinstead side who have now gone 11 minutes shy of five hours since their last goal.

Their best chance of the second half came in the 74th minute when Rigler found strike partner Jez Tobin with a cushioned header and Tobin's shot hit the bar.

But by then Pagham had already made it 3-0, again in bizarre circumstances. Wimble's shot from the right hit Dave Gellatly full in the face and fell straight at the feet of Dan Martin whose low shot gave Whibley no chance.

Tobin and sub Zac De Cambre had half chances near the end but the destination of the three points had long since been decided.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Wright, Thorpe, Green, Cooney, Belli (sub: De Cambre 70), Gellatly, Tobin, Rigler, Turner. Unused subs: Pelling, Norris.

:: Lancing 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
ENCOURAGING performances by the young players in his side offered the only crumb of comfort to Wasps' boss Steve Norris on Saturday after his side suffered their third defeat in a week and with it any remote chance of forcing their way back into promotion contention.

A second-half goal from ex-Wasp Barry Leete, his third against Grinstead this season, gave Lancing revenge for the 5-1 defeat they suffered at East Court a month ago which was Wasps' last victory.

In the absence of the suspended Dave Gellatly and Matt Bradford and midfielders Matt Thorpe and Adam Dart, Norris promoted Marc Pelling and gave another start to Michael Belli. That meant there were six teenagers in the squad including a 17-year-old, four players aged 18 and 19-year-old Bobby Buckingham, surely the youngest first team Wasps have fielded for years.

But they failed to sparkle on a difficult afternoon for football with a bumpy pitch and blustery wind affecting both sides.

Pelling slotted in well alongside Tom Green in the heart of the back four, Belli had another encouraging game in the centre of midfield and Zac DeCambre impressed when he came on up front for the last 25 minutes.

Norris said: "No excuses - not enough players performed on the day. It was nice to see some more of our young players out there although perhaps it is not ideal to have so many of them in the same side, but they all did well again.

"But it was a poor performance. Lancing have improved since we played them last month and one goal was always going to settle it, but we didn't carry enough of a threat in the final third."

Leete struck midway through the second half, beating Lee Whibley from six yards after the ball had been pulled back from the line.

Leete had two other chances to add to his tally. He was denied by Whibley after getting clear of the defence in the 75th minute, having forced another save in the first half when he got good connection on a free-kick.

Wasps' best first-half chance came when Green met Ben Burns' corner with a firm header but the ball was cleared off the line by Tom Gurney.

After going behind Wasps committed more men to the attack and they could have equalised when De Cambre led a break and found Jez Tobin, but instead of heading the ball he elected to shoot and failed to keep the ball down. It was indicative of Wasps' overall lack of confidence on a disappointing afternoon.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Cooney (sub: Turner 73), Pelling (sub: De Cambre 74), Green, Thompson (sub: Tilley 75), Belli, Burns, Tobin, Wright.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Wealden 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS are out of the Division Two Cup despite dominating the quarter final for long stages.

The difference was in front of goal where the home side wasted their opportunities while Wealden produced some clinical finishing to complete a somewhat flattering but nonetheless deserved victory.

Grinstead boss Steve Norris said: "The performance compared to Saturday at Peacehaven was a big improvement and we certainly didn't deserve to lose by three goals. I didn't think either goalkeeper had that much to do, but in the final third they were more sharper than us."

Wasps made three changes to the side beaten by Peacehaven, the most interesting a full debut for 17-year-old Michael Belli who was impressive in the centre of midfield.

Brian Tilley replaced right back Bobby Buckingham, who hurt his hip in the warm-up, and Richard Foyle came in for Adam Dart, who hurt his hamstring on Saturday.

The hosts dominated the early stages only to fall behind to Wealden's first attack after 15 minutes. Tobi Hutchinson broke into the box and although Lee Whibley managed to parry his shot, the ball fell kindly to Dan Gilbert who made no mistake from close range.

Wasps should have equalised nine minutes later. Phil Thompson's pass found Jez Tobin in space but Wealden keeper Simon Davey diverted his shot wide of the post with his outstretched leg.

Although there was no lack of endeavour from either side, clear chances were few and far between but Wasps continued to have the territorial edge and forced a number of corners and free-kicks.

Davey again denied Tobin an equaliser on 66 minutes when he blocked his shot after a great pass from Drew Cooney but three minutes later Wealden scored a crucial second.

Darren Gearing's free-kick from way out on the left-hand side caught Whibley too far off his line as it flew into the top corner.

Wasps had to commit more men forward and with 15 minutes left Foyle failed to clear a long ball down the middle and substitute Liam Bull, whom Wasps tried to sign last summer, raced through to beat Whibley from 15 yards.

Apart from Belli's encouraging debut, Matt Bradford had a solid game at the back in his last match before he starts a four-game suspension on Saturday.

Grinstead: Whibley; Tilley (sub: Rigler 71), Foyle (sub: Stonley 80), Belli, Green, Bradford, Wright (sub: Turner 75), Cooney, Burns, Tobin, Thompson. Unused sub: Harris.

:: Peacehaven & Telscombe 2, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Peacehaven won a scrappy game with a goal in each half. George Smith beat Lee Whibley with a good finish on the turn in the 28th minute to open the scoring.

Ben Burns and Adam Dart had gone close for Wasps without troubling the home goalkeeper.

Burns had a great chance to equalise midway through the second half when he got clean through, but he fell at the vital moment and Peacehaven cleared. Drew Cooney and Matt Bradford both failed to clear their lines and Smith held off Bradford's challenge to beat Whibley with another good finish.

Wasps pulled one back in the 71st minute. Belli's pass found Bradford and when his shot was blocked, Burns was first onto the loose ball to score his 15th goal of the season.

The visitors huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but Peacehaven held on for a deserved victory.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham, Wright, Green, Bradford; Thompson, Turner, Cooney, Dart; Burns, Tobin. Subs (all used): Belli, Harris, Tilley.

:: Midhurst & Easebourne 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WITH Phil Thompson unavailable, Norris brought in Andy Turner in midfield and Wasps, who inflicted Midhurst's last league defeat back in September, took control from the start.

Adam Dart's early header was saved by Stuart Burt but the Midhurst goalkeeper was a spectator when Ben Burns crashed a 21st-minute free-kick from the edge of the box against the bar after Tobin had been fouled on the edge of the penalty area.

Burt then kept out Burns' low effort at full stretch before Wasps finally made their superiority count. Burns' clever flick past a defender created space for Tobin to smash his shot past Burt after a neat feint took him past his marker.

Seven minutes later Turner's corner was met by a firm header from Tobin for 2-0. It was the 18-year-old's fifth goal of the season.

Midhurst were stunned but they showed their resolve to pull one back three minutes later when James Glue headed past Lee Whibley at the far post from James Buitenhuis's cross.

It was just what the home side needed and they bombarded Grinstead at the start of the second half.

Whibley made two good saves and Wasps had to dig deep to protect their lead. They did so and began to create at the other end, although most of the action was compressed into midfield.

Turner got through only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle but with seven minutes to go top scorer Dave Wills was denied an equaliser by the woodwork when his header bounced out off the post.

The home side finally equalised with five minutes remaining. Substitute Zac De Cambre was rather harshly pulled up for a foul and when the free-kick came in, Jamie Angell had enough space to shoot past Whibley.

A flare-up near the end saw Tobin and Midhurst's Chris May booked but a thrilling game ended with honours even.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham, Wright, Thorpe, Bradford, Cooney, Turner, Gellatly, Burns (sub: De Cambre 85), Tobin, Dart.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Storrington 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
STEVE Norris admits he is already planning for next season after a shock home defeat left Wasps with only a slim chance of promotion.

Although Grinstead are only four points off the top three, they have played three games more than Midhurst, Westfield and Pagham while fourth-placed Wealden also have two matches in hand on Wasps. It increasingly looks as if the battle for the three promotion places will be fought out by that quartet of clubs.

Against a side beaten in their six previous matches, Grinstead were expected to win on Saturday and perhaps that's where the problem lay.

And to make matters worse, defender Matt Bradford was sent off in the second half for throwing the ball at an opponent - the second red card to a Grinstead player in successive matches.

There was none of the urgency which had earned Wasps their biggest home win of the season against Lancing the previous week and it was only when they went 2-0 down that they started to play with any conviction.

Ben Burns pulled one back with his 14th goal of the season, finishing at the second attempt after goalkeeper Gary Elliott had pushed out his first effort.

And in a grandstand finish Wasps had two great chances to draw level. But Elliott somehow flung himself across the goal to push away Phil Thompson's close-range shot after Adam Dart had flashed a centre across the face of goal.

Then in injury time Matt Thorpe let fly from 25 yards and beat Elliott, but the ball thudded off the crossbar to safety.

Norris said: "It was very disappointing, especially after such a good performance the week before with exactly the same side. We were lethargic and there was a lack of pace about the way we moved the ball around."

Storrington belied their poor form to show once again that no game in the second division is easy.

There was an element of fortune about their 31st-minute opener however when goalkeeper Lee Whibley came to claim a long punt into the Grinstead box but missed the ball completely, allowing Dan Griffin to head into an empty net.

Storrington doubled their lead after 69 minutes when Griffin guided a header past Whibley from a free-kick which was poorly defended by the hosts.

Bradford departed shortly afterwards and would not have helped his chances of escaping a long suspension by directing a volley of abuse at referee Paul Barratt as he departed.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham (sub: Turner 70), Wright, Thorpe, Bradford, Cooney, Thompson, Gellatly, Tobin (sub: Horner 66), Burns, Dart. Unused sub: Pelling.

:: East Grinstead Town 5, Lancing 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Jez TobinMatt Bradford rises to head clear in front off Barry LeeteBEN Burns opened the floodgates against Lancing after just five minutes.

Phil Thompson collected Bobby Buckingham's pass on the right and his excellent cross was met at the near post by Burns, whose glancing header gave goalkeeper Richard Whittington no chance.

Whittington presented Wasps with their second on 17 minutes when he spilled Thompson's shot and Dart pounced to score his third of the campaign.

A minute later Gellatly got his first from the edge of the box with a well-struck shot after Lancing had failed to clear.

And it was 4-0 on 21 minutes when the visitors again gave the ball away and Thompson pounced for his fourth of the campaign.

But the best goal was the fifth on 29 minutes. Defender Matt Bradford laid the ball back to Gellatly 25 yards out and he struck the sweetest of half-volleys into the bottom corner with Whittington helpless.

The second-half was predictably low-key, particularly after it became ten-a-side on 65 minutes. Ex-Wasps' striker Barry Leete pulled one back for Lancing six minutes later when he cut in from the right to fire past Lee Whibley.

At the other end, Thorpe and Gez Tobin just failed to get the rewards their hard work deserved when they saw headers flash narrowly past.

Grinstead: Whibley, Buckingham, Wright, Cooney, Bradford (sub: Green), Thompson, Thorpe, Gellatly, Dart; Burns (sub: Sallis), Tobin. Unused subs: Turner, Foyle, Pelling.

For more match photographs click here.

:: Southwick 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Grinstead slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Old Barn Way.

Norris admitted he got his tactics wrong in the first half.

Without top scorer Ben Burns through suspension, he elected to play with James Horner on his own up front ahead of a five-man midfield. Norris switched to a 4-4-2 in the second half when Phil Thompson was pushed forward. And although Grinstead enjoyed plenty of possession they rarely troubled Southwick's veteran goalkeeper Keith Cheal.

Norris said: "I criticise the players when they make mistakes so it's only right that I own up to the system - it wasn't right. We changed it at half-time and we had a few half-chances in the second half but it wasn't enough. Since I took over in October I have been trying to bring in another forward or two and that is still the aim. Not having Ben showed that we are still short in that area."

Southwick were desperate to avenge the 7-2 thrashing they suffered in the Division Two Cup at East Court in November and did not shirk a tackle on a bobbly pitch which seemed to inhibit Wasps, who became increasingly frustrated.

Norris added: "It wasn't a great surface but that is no excuse because it was the same for both sides. They were right up for it after what happened in the last game."

The only goal came on the stroke of half-time. Defender Drew Cooney was ruled to have hauled down Dominic Shepherd inside the box and Lee Constable scored from the spot, although Lee Whibley did get a hand to his effort.

Apart from Marc Pelling's 25-yard off-target drive, Wasps had not threatened in the first half. Their attacking play did improve after the break with Horner, Thompson and Matt Bradford all off target in the last 20 minutes - but still Cheal did not have a save to make.

At the other end Whibley pushed a shot round the post but there were few clear-cut chances in a scrappy affair.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Dart, Cooney, Bradford, Pelling, Thompson, Gellatly, Sallis (sub: Turner 65), Wright, Horner.

:: Saltdean United 0, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Ben Burns shows determination against SaltdeanMIDFIELDER Steve Sallis celebrated his first start for Wasps with the only goal as Steve Norris's side got their promotion bid back on track.

Town's performance against the side marooned at the bottom of the second division was not one of their best of the season - but in only their fifth game in two months it was perhaps understandable that Grinstead looked a bit rusty.

Nevertheless, a first win in five kept them in fifth place, nicely tucked in behind the leaders.

The winning goal 13 minutes from time was simplicity itself. Ben Burns rolled a free-kick into Sallis's path and the former Burgess Hill player gave goalkeeper Owen Fisher no chance with his firmly-struck shot as the Saltdean defence pondered what had happened.

Adam Dart in action against SaltdeanWasps had wasted some good chances before the goal with front pair Burns and James Horner the main culprits and Norris felt his side deserved their win against hardworking opponents desperate to impress new boss Gus MacBride.

Norris said: "We played okay in spells and if we had scored early on when we had some good chances it would undoubtedly have settled us down.

"We need to get on a run of games now so let's hope the weather is kind to us. We looked a bit rusty today and lacking in match sharpness which was understandable but fitness-wise I was pleased with the way we kept going."

Norris made two changes to the team which drew 2-2 with Mile Oak in their previous game.

Brian Tilley came in for the suspended Bobby Buckingham at rightback and Sallis got his first start in place of Andy Turner.

Norris left Dave Gellatly, available again after a five-week ban, on the bench before bringing the midfielder into the action with 30 minutes to go when he did well.

Against a Saltdean side who worked hard, Wasps knew they would have to battle and defensively they looked very solid with Drew Cooney, Matt Bradford and the impressive Tilley, who was making his first first-team start of the campaign.

Too often, however, their attacking play lacked width but Saltdean only seriously worked Lee Whibley once, with five minutes to go, when the Grinstead goalkeeper got down well to parry a shot onto the outside of the post.

Norris added: "Our final ball let us down at times and there are lots of things we can work on.

"But after not winning for four games it was important to stop the rot and hopefully we can build on it next Saturday."

Team: Whibley, Tilley, Dart, Pelling (sub: Gellatly 60), Cooney, Bradford, Sallis, Thompson, Burns, Horner, Wright. Unused subs: Harris, Belli.

For more match photographs click here.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Mile Oak 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Mile Oak, as always, were doughty opponents and left the field at the end perplexed and angered at how referee John Flynn managed to find so much injury time.

But a draw was a fair result and Norris was pleased that his side showed their character and twice hit back to grab a point.

The best chance of a goalless first half fell to James Horner, but Oak goalkeeper Ashley Walker pulled off a great save at full stretch to keep out his shot.

It may have been because it was their first game for a fortnight, but Grinstead lacked their usual sparkle and they fell behind in controversial circumstances after 54 minutes when ref Flynn awarded a penalty after a scramble in the box.

He claimed it was for a foul while the assistant told Norris it was for handball. Whatever, Paul Eaton drilled home the spot kick.

Wasps levelled after 75 minutes when Gez Tobin scored his third goal of the season - and first since September 23 - when he found a yard of space in a crowded box to drill his shot past Walker.

At that stage it looked as if the home side would go on to win, but within two minutes Wasps had conceded a sloppy second goal with defensive cover conspicuous by its absence as Jackson picked his spot at the far post completely unmarked to make it 2-1.

Top scorer Ben Burns thought he had won a penalty when he was sent sprawling but the referee said no and booked Burns for his protests. His fifth caution means he also faces a one-match ban.

But Cooney came to the rescue in the last minute, digging the ball up and over Walker from close range when Oak failed to clear Burns' corner.

In the end Norris was grateful for a point, but he still felt it was two dropped.

He said: "No excuses, if we have aspirations of promotion we should be beating sides like Mile Oak at home and that is no disrespect to them.

"We didn't seem to have any zip about us and we seem to have lost a bit of the confidence we had when we were going so well before Christmas.

"But we are still in there for promotion. There are 16 games to go and the league is so unpredictable, we saw that again on Saturday with Peacehaven, who were second, losing 5-0 at home to Lancing, who were second bottom."

Midfielder Steve Sallis came off the bench to make his debut in the last 20 minutes and Norris was pleased with his performance while Phil Thompson also returned after a month out because of an ankle injury.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Bradford, Cooney, Dart, Wright, Pelling, Tobin, Turner, Burns, Horner. Subs (used): Thompson, Belli, Sallis. Unused: Foyle, Harris.

:: Westfield 5, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
2-0 UP, THEN THE WHEELS COME OFF

Grinstead made a tactical change with Jez Tobin dropping back to try and give their midfield more energy and for an hour it looked like paying off.

James Horner headed home Richard Foyle's 19th-minute cross to give them the lead and Burns doubled it with a terrific strike on 28 when he collected Matt Bradford's powerful headed clearance, turned and struck his 12th goal of the season past Gavin Bourne.

Burns was only denied a third goal by the woodwork just before the break when he brilliantly lobbed Bourne from 25 yards and watched the ball bounce to safety off the bar.

Horner also went close with a shot after good link-up work with his strike partner, but with torrential rain and a gale-force wind to contend with in the second half, Wasps knew the hard work was only just starting.

Sure enough, Westfield pinned them back with their midfield quartet getting forward quickly to support their strikers and Wasps soon found themselves defending deeply and struggling to clear their lines.

Alan Johnson made it 2-1 on 65 minutes with a header from a corner which went in off the post with goalkeeper Lee Whibley struggling.

Whibley had no chance with Jones' penalty 11 minutes later when Buckingham was sent off and, as they tried to re-group, Grinstead found themselves 3-2 down in the 77th minute when Dominic Clarke headed home.

Carl Morris and Darrol Parris scored in the last three minutes to complete Wasps misery, all of Westfield's last three goals coming from crosses from Wasps' left-hand side as Grinstead's unbeaten away record went crashing.

Team: Lee Whibley, Bobby Buckingham, Richard Foyle, Marc Pelling, Matt Bradford, Adam Dart, James Horner, Ben Burns, Jez Tobin, Andy Turner. Subs (all used): Tom Harris, Michael Belli and Brian Tilley.

For match photographs click here.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Lingfield 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS' promotion hopes suffered a setback with an unfortunate defeat in our local derby against Lingfield on December 27th.

It was Steve Norris's first league defeat since he took charge in October but of more concern to the boss would have been the lack of chances we created and another addition to the growing injury list with James Horner hobbling off in the first half after colliding with Lingfield goalkeeper Chris Arrow.

The match itself was disappointing with plenty of huff and puff but few chances at either end to excite a season's-best crowd of 212. The fact that our best players were Matt Bradford and Kevin Wright at the back says it all, although there was no lack of effort elsewhere in the team and, for sheer endeavour alone, we deserved to get something out of the game.

The only goal came after 29 minutes when Bradley Ling collected a loose ball 20 yards out and hit a dipping shot over Lee Whibley.

Apart from a great chance near the end which Danny Gillard fired wide from inside the six-yard box after a clever pass from Jason Spiteri, Lingfield created little themselves but Arrow was hardly over-worked either.

Grinstead fans who remember him wearing the No9 shirt for Wasps would have been disappointed that he only had two shots to save, the first hit straight at him from Ben Burns and the second tipped over the bar at full stretch to deny Andy Turner.

Turner, making his first-team debut following his move from Oakwood, impressed on the left and Wasps dominated possession for long spells, particularly in the second half.

But Lingfield's defence, ably marshalled by ex-Wasp Steve Moore, gave Arrow great protection and Grinstead lacked quality in the final third.

Team: Lee Whibley, Bobby Buckingham, Richard Foyle, Marc Pelling, Matt Bradford, Adam Dart, James Horner (sub: Tom Harris 35), Ben Burns, Jez Tobin, Andy Turner (sub: Michael Belli 80).

For match photographs click here.

:: Seaford Town 0, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Seaford's Graham Webb was much the busier of the two goalkeepers particularly in the first half, although it was an incident involving Wasps' No 1 Lee Whibley which provided the biggest talking point of the afternoon.

Whibley was booked in the first half for retaliation after he was hurt when Tom Callaghan appeared to leave a foot in as they challenged for the ball.

When a similar incident occurred with 11 minutes to go, this time involving Seaford's Ben Dartnell, it looked as if Whibley would receive a second yellow. But referee Nigel Baker instead contended himself with issuing a stern lecture and saved Whibley from suspension.

Wasps had to re-jig early on when midfielder Phil Thompson was flattened by a strong challenge from Dartnell in the centre circle early on. Thompson went to hospital and ankle ligament damage was diagnosed, although it is too early to say how long he might be out for.

James Horner replaced him and played his part as Wasps put together some crisp passing moves.

Their two best chances arrived in the space of three first-half minutes. On 38 minutes top scorer Ben Burns, who was restored to the starting line-up, played a great ball to Adam Dart who had broken from midfield, but Dart's shot flew over Webb's goal.

Dart then turned provider for Thorpe on the left and he made Webb work, forcing the keeper to turn his shot over the bar.

Seaford came more into the match in the second half and they nearly went in front on the hour when a rare mistake in possession by Bobby Buckingham allowed Dartnell to burst through but Whibley made a good save.

At the other end Wasps continued to press but Webb did not have too much work to do despite some good approach work by the visitors, particularly from Dart and Burns.

There was one alarm for Grinstead with 15 minutes left when Whibley was adjudged to have handled a back-pass, but the wall did its job on the line to block the free kick.

Team: Lee Whibley, Bobby Buckingham, Richard Foyle, Marc Pelling, Matt Bradford, Kevin Wright , Adam Dart, Matt Thorpe, Ben Burns, Jez Tobin, Phil Thompson (sub: James Horner 11). Unused subs: Blair Cooney and Tom Harris.

:: East Grinstead Town 7, Southwick 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
MANAGER Steve Norris named the same starting team which had beaten promotion rivals Peacehaven in our previous game but he had a strong bench, including top scorer Ben Burns, and all three subs made a significant impact to underline that there is strength in depth in the squad now.

Grinstead went in front after just six minutes when Southwick only cleared a corner as far as James Horner and his right-wing cross was headed powerfully into the net by defender Matt Bradford for his first goal of the season.

Despite the heavy conditions there was a buzz about Wasps' play after this with Dave Gellatly - the Ginger Prince - running things in midfield.

Southwick offered only a sporadic threat but Paul Elliott could have equalised when he got through only to shoot wide of goal. However, every time they attacked we looked menacing.

Horner and Gellatly had already gone close when Gellatly made it 2-0 after 30 minutes with an unstoppable volley from Adam Dart's cross - probably the pick of the seven goals.

Darty then added a third five minutes before half-time when his low, left-foot shot into the bottom corner gave Southwick keeper Keith Cheal no chance.

Southwick, to their credit, had a go at the start of the second half and substitute Adam Steele pulled one back in the 47th minute.

Steve introduced his three substitutes midway through the second half and they seemed to spark Grinstead into life again.

Kevin Wright's accurate cross allowed midfielder Phil Thompson to score the fourth with a shot from 12 yards on 65 minutes and Gellatly, who could easily have finished with a hat-trick, exchanged passes with Burns before getting his second in the 85th minute.

There was still time for three more goals. Elliott pulled one back for the visitors but within a minute Thorpe got his first goal since returning to East Court with a low drive from just outside the box.

And there was still time for Burns to score his 11th of the season with a header from Wright's cross. With better finishing Wasps could have finished with double figures but no one was complaining after they made it six wins from the last seven games and completed November with a 100 per cent record.

Team: Lee Whibley, Bobby Buckingham, Richard Foyle (sub: Kevin Wright 56), Marc Pelling, Matt Bradford (sub: Matt Thorpe 65), Drew Cooney, Adam Dart, Dave Gellatly, James Horner (sub: Ben Burns 56), Jez Tobin, Phil Thompson.

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Peacehaven & Telscombe 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Mixed day for Drew but Wasps stay top

A brawl which ended with three players being sent off overshadowed another excellent win for Wasps at East Court.

Tempers boiled over with six minutes to go after a heavy challenge on skipper Drew Cooney. Referee Andy Goddard saw punches thrown and sent off Peacehaven's George Smith Snr - a former Grinstead player - and Michael Smith as well as Cooney.

Ironically, Cooney had given Wasps a 25th-minute lead but we did not seal their sixth win in the last seven County League division two games until Ben Burns notched his tenth of the season in injury time.

Boss Steve Norris says Cooney may appeal against his red card, which would carry a three-match ban, but is waiting until the club receive Mr Goddard's report before making a decision.

Wasps remain unbeaten in the league since Norris took over as manager six weeks ago and there is now a five-point gap between themselves and third-placed Wealden.

But the boss still feels his side can improve.

Steve said: "We have played better this season but to keep a clean sheet against one of the sides who have been up there for a while is satisfying. It wasn't a great performance but they didn't trouble us too often and we had plenty of good chances to score another goal before Ben got his at the end."

Wasps were not surprisingly unchanged but the game took a while to get going although Phil Thompson couldn't take advantage of a decent chance for the hosts after 20 minutes, shooting wide after James Horner had controlled Adam Dart's pass and set up the chance.

Horner was involved again five minutes later when the home side broke the deadlock. His corner was dummied inside the box by Dave Gellatly and Cooney lashed the ball home from close range for his second goal of the season.

Jez Tobin was inches away from getting a second just before the break when his header struck the bar and it was Grinstead who continued to carry the greater attacking threat after the break.

Their best move should have resulted in a goal on the hour but Gellatly's shot was kept out by goalkeeper Simon Parsons' feet and three minutes later Parsons used his feet again to keep out Thompson's header after Gellatly's cross set up the opportunity.

Burns replaced Horner with 17 minutes to go and looked lively but all the time it was only 1-0 the home fans were living on their nerves.

But goalkeeper Lee Whibley only had to make one save of note when he kept out George Smith junior's free-kick with a minute to go by palming the ball over his crossbar.

Grinstead had a solid look about them throughout the side and they made the game safe when Burns found space, ran at a retreating defence and then curled his shot past Parsons and inside the far post.

Grinstead: Lee Whibley, Bobby Buckingham, Richard Foyle, Marc Pelling, Matt Bradford, Drew Cooney, Adam Dart, Dave Gellatly, James Horner (sub: Ben Burns 73), Jez Tobin, Phil Thompson. Unused subs: Kevin Wright, Tom Harris.

:: East Grinstead Town 3, Broadbridge Heath 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
DART'S BACK WITH A GOAL

Adam Dart replaced Kevin Wright while James Horner took over up front from top scorer Ben Burns, who was on the bench because of a chest infection, in the only changes to the side which had beaten previous leaders Wealden in their last game.

The visitors settled first and Peter Sweet on the left caused Wasps some problems early on although goalkeeper Lee Whibley was well protected by his defenders and wasn't called into serious action.

The game needed a goal and Wasps got it after 33 minutes. Dave Gellatly won the ball in Grinstead's half, found Dart and his pass sent Horner clear of a defence looking for an offside flag and he slotted the ball past goalkeeper James McGrath.

A minute before the break McGrath tipped a header from Jez Tobin over the bar at full stretch and that was a sign of things to come for Heath's goalkeeper as Wasps stepped up a gear in the second half.

Dart was only denied a sensational goal when his 25-yard strike hit the far post with McGrath beaten after 50 minutes.

Thirteen minutes later Tobin made a typically powerful burst into space but saw his shot bounce out off the underside of the bar.

Horner took up some intelligent positions to cause the visitors problems and he set up Wasps' second on 74 minutes, delivering a low cross from the right which Dart controlled with his first touch and lashed high into the net with his second.

Grinstead got their third in the last minute when Horner, finding space on the left, drifted into the box before giving McGrath no chance with a powerful shot.

Grinstead: Lee Whibley; Bobby Buckingham, Richard Foyle, Matt Bradford (sub: Tom Harris 85), Drew Cooney; Phil Thompson, Marc Pelling, Dave Gellatly, Adam Dart; James Horner, Jez Tobin.

Attendance: 117 (highest Saturday crowd of the season)

:: East Grinstead Town 2, Wealden 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
MIDFIELD PAIR GET THE GOALS WHICH MATTER

WASPS strengthened their promotion bid with an impressive win over leaders Wealden at East Court.

Wealden arrived having scored more and conceded fewer goals than all their rivals in County League division two.

But it was only the brilliance of goalkeeper Simon Davey which prevented Wasps from winning more emphatically in front of a crowd of 178, the highest of the season at East Court.

Norris was delighted with his side's performance, but warned that Grinstead still have a lot to do if they are to win promotion back to the top flight after a two-year absence.

Norris said: "We played really well on an excellent pitch which encouraged both sides to play good football. It was hard to pick out individuals because I donšt think we had a weak link all over the pitch - but there is still more we can do to improve."

Kevin Wright, out for nearly two months because of hamstring trouble, returned on the left and Norris pushed Jez Tobin up front alongside top scorer Ben Burns.

After a cagey opening Wasps began to get on top and they took the lead in the 28th minute when midfielder Dave Gellatly latched onto Burns' flick and gave Davey no chance with a powerful shot from 15 yards - his third goal since returning to East Court.

Tobin got clear five minutes before the break but was forced wide and failed to hit the target as Wasps continued to win the key individual battles.

But Wealden should have equalised on the stroke of half-time when Dan Gilbert screwed Tobi Hutchinson's cross wide at the far post after Wasps had given the ball away just inside their own half.

The second half followed a familar pattern. Hutchinson squandered a good chance on 64 minutes for the visitors but four minutes later Grinstead doubled their lead.

Tobin and Burns combined cleverly down the left following a throw-in and Tobin's cross was expertly side-footed past Davey by Phil Thompson from close range.

As Wealden committed more men forward the home side went close on the break.

Davey blocked Tobin's shot after he had burst into the box and then diverted Burns' effort onto the post as Wasps finished firmly in control.

Defensively they looked solid with Matt Bradford and skipper Drew Cooney keeping a tight reign on Wealden dangerman Wes Tate while Marc Pelling and Gellatly's energetic performance summed up Grinstead's hardworking approach.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Pelling, Bradford, Cooney, Wright, Gellatly, Burns, Tobin, Thompson (sub: Harris 81).

:: Steyning Town 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
NEW boss Steve Norris saw Grinstead stretch their unbeaten league run to four games but admitted his side can still do a lot better after a disappointing performance.

Ben Burns looked to have secured victory with his ninth goal of the season early in the second half at the Shooting Field.

But the goal seemed to inspire Steyning rather than the visitors and Greg Hearne's 78th-minute equaliser was no more than they deserved.

Nevertheless, a point lifted Wasps into fourth place and they have the opportunity to move into the promotion positions in County League division two when leaders Wealden visit East Court on Friday night, kick off 7.30pm - just three weeks after the sides drew 1-1 at Wealden.

Norris said: "We didn't perform nearly as well as we had done the previous week when we won at Mile Oak which was disappointing.

"The players know that and I will be looking for a reaction on Friday in what will be a very difficult game. We did really well to get a point at Wealden last month and hopefully we can make home advantage count."

Grinstead's finishing will need to improve if they are to sustain a promotion challenge on the evidence of their display at Steyning.

In the first half they created four good chances with James Horner having two close-range efforts blocked in the opening ten minutes.

Steyning keeper Dave Angell then kept out a volley from Horner and a header but Wasps' best opportunity fell to Grant Rigler whose glancing header from Horner's cross hit the post.

Wasps got the goal they deserved in the 48th minute when Burns' drive had just enough power to squirm under Angell's dive.

But if Wasps thought they had done enough they were given a rude awakening as the home side came alive after switching Lee Waterhouse from centre forward to the right wing.

From his corner on the hour, James Davis powered a header against the bar as Steyning started to get on top in what was still a very scrappy encounter.

Norris switched to a 3-5-2 formation to try and protect the lead but with 12 minutes left Drew Cooney could only head a free-kick as far as Hearne on the edge of the box and his first-time volley gave Lee Whibley no chance.

Wasps could have snatched all three points in the 88th minute when Grant Rigler broke clear but instead of shooting first time he elected to try and find a team-mate and Steyning cleared their lines.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham (sub: Harris 70), Foyle (sub: Tilley 61), Pelling, Bradford, Cooney, Horner, Gellatly, Burns, Rigler, Tobin. Unused sub: Reed.

:: Mile Oak 2, East Grinstead Town 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
RE-SHUFFLED SIDE TOPPLE OAK

With Tyrone Roberts failing to show and top scorer Ben Burns on the bench because of a virus, Norris had to re-shuffle his side but they did him proud against a team who began the day above Wasps in County League division two.

On a remarkable afternoon, the home side were awarded THREE penalties - all for handball - but Lee Whibley saved the second spot-kick from Scott Carden to make sure Wasps returned with all three points.

Gellatly, beginning his fourth spell at East Court after completing his move from Ryman League Horsham YMCA, took just 15 minutes to impose himself. Phil Thompson found the recalled Grant Rigler and the striker released Gellatly who finished expertly.

Marc Pelling was only denied a second when the midfielder's low drive hit the inside of the post and Jez Tobin also went close before Mile Oak levelled on the stroke of half-time when Matt Bradford, returning to the defence after completing a three-match ban, was penalised when a cross struck his left arm as he fell in the box and Carden made no mistake.

But Wasps took just seven minutes of the second half to regain the lead when Tobin found Gellatly who hit a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

The midfielder then created Grinstead's third when he headed into the path of Phil Thompson who bagged his first of the season with 13 minutes to go.

There was still plenty of drama to come, however. Richard Foyle was twice penalised for handball, the first occasion by the assistant, and neither appeal looked convincing.

But Whibley saved the first spot-kick from Paul Eaton in the 83rd minute and although Eaton made it 3-2 with two minutes left, Grinstead were not to be denied.

Norris added: "We showed a bit of character because it is a hard place to get a result and they are a decent side. Dave did well on his return but he knows he can get even sharper and when he does he will be even more of a threat."

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Pelling, Bradford, Cooney, Thompson, Gellatly, Harris, Rigler, Tobin. Unused subs: Burns, Read, Smith.


:: East Grinstead Town 2, Sidlesham 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
The commitment new boss Steve Norris has been referring to was evident on Saturday as Wasps overcame a shaky start to earn their fourth league win of the season which lifted them up to seventh place.

Sidlesham relied on a route one approach and it unsettled Wasps who fell behind after 16 minutes. Scott Towers' pass found Charley Hammond in too much space and when goalkeeper Lee Whibley failed to clear his lines on the edge of the penalty area, Hammond virtually walked the ball into an empty net.

Norris had made one change to the team which drew 1-1 at Wealden on Tuesday with Phil Thompson replacing Marc Pelling in midfield.

But he was one of several players who struggled early on and it was not until the last ten minutes of the first half before Grinstead began to put some moves together.

Even then it was a surprise when they drew level in the 44th minute. Tyrone Roberts' left-wing cross was neatly dummied by Tyrone Palmer and Burns placed a low shot inside the right-hand post.

It was hardly deserved on the balance of play but it gave Wasps renewed confidence and in the second half they began to get on top, particularly in midfield.

Burns was only denied a second goal by the woodwork when his 47th-minute header from Roberts' inviting cross bounced back off the crossbar.

James Horner and Jez Tobin also went close but Sidlesham were still a threat and Towers wasted a great chance on 70 minutes when he blazed over with only Whibley to beat.

Five minutes later Wasps got their noses in front with a superb team goal. Substitute Tom Harris fed Horner on the right and his cross found its way across a packed six-yard box to Burns who side-footed in his eighth goal of the season.

Wasps had one more scare when substitute Ed Pollard got clear but failed to test Whibley when it seemed certain he might equalise.

But they held on to earn a richly deserved ovation from the Grinstead crowd.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Thompson, Green (sub: Pelling 74), Cooney, Horner, Tobin, Burns, Palmer (sub: Harris 64), Roberts (sub: Belli 88).
:: Wealden 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
In his first League match in charge, Steve Norris named the same starting 11 that he had put out last Saturday against Lancing in the Sussex Senior Cup.
Wealden applied the early pressure with Wes Tate looking menacing but it was Grinstead that opened the scoring. With 5 minutes gone, Richard Foyle made a good break down the left touch line and with a fine ball found Tyrone Roberts outside the penalty area. Roberts worked his way inside the box and had his feet taken away from him for a clear penalty. Up stepped Ben Burns and coolly slotted the ball to the left of the keeper to notch up his 6th league goal of the season.

Wealden pressed forward and Lee Whibley pulled off a great save from a fierce shot from point blank range to deny the home team. With 19 minutes gone, Tom Green was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and from the resultant spot kick, like Burns, Wes Tate notched up his 6th league goal of the season.

Grinstead dealt well with the Wealden pressure but were fortunate to escape a blatant miss from Tobi Hutchinson on the half hour following a good move which saw the Oaks switching play from left wing to right wing and a superb cross found Hutchinson on the far post with an empty net in front of him, but he somehow managed to put his header wide.

This seemed to spur the Wasps on and a good move started by Jimmy Horner found Burns who in turn threaded the ball through to Jez Tobin, who didn't connect well with his shot and the keeper collected comfortably. This was followed by another good move down the right with Burns playing the ball out to Horner whose shot was saved down at the foot of the nearpost by Kusha Movaffagh. A foul on Tyrone Roberts earned Daniel Garrod a yellow card and from the free kick the ball was pushed through to Burns who shot just wide. Another set play saw Grinstead come close again. Burns took a free kick which the keeper managed to push wide. Wealden created some good chances and Whibley was called upon to make some important saves.

The start of the second half saw some good Grinstead pressure but with no real end product. Another free kick from Burns after a quarter of an hour looked to be heading for the top corner with the keeper well beaten only for a Wealden head to appear and deflect the ball out for a corner. The two Tyrones, Roberts and then Palmer, were replaced by Harris and Belli in the latter stages of the match and with Whibley pulling off another couple of fine saves, both teams went off with a draw a fitting result.

Norris' team showed a good team spirit, great determination and commitment and deserved the crowd's applause as they left the pitch. He said "I have been particularly pleased with the last seven days. The players have responded well and tonight it was pleasing to see us playing as a team and not as individuals. The team spirt and committment is as good as I could wish for. We have a lot of younsters playing in the front side and they are doing really well."

He added: "When I took the two Tyrones off, they were shattered, having giving it their all and enjoyed it. That's exactly what I asked for and all the lads did themselves and the club proud."

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Pelling, Green, Cooney, Horner, Tobin, Burns, Palmer (sub Harris), Roberts (sub Belli) - unused sub Rigler

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Lancing 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
NEW BOSS Steve Norris could not make a winning start as Wasps bowed out of the Sussex Senior Cup despite a spirited performance from his young side in this first round tie.

A sixth minute goal from Darren Annis proved decisive although Norris was happy enough with Grinstead's work-rate and commitment.

He said after being appointed that he felt the side lacked experience and would need strengthening and this performance would not have changed his view.

He said: "Apart from a brief spell in the first half around the time they scored I thought we were marginally the better side.

"The players worked really hard and gave their all which is what I asked them to do but we need to strengthen in certain areas of the team. I knew that when I got the job and that remains the priority."

With Phil Thompson and Kevin Wright - two of his more experienced players - missing through injury, Grant Rigler unavailable and Matt Bradford starting a three match suspension, Norris was forced to re-shuffle.

Marc Pelling came in for his debut in the centre of midfield and the 18-year-old did a solid job until he ran out of steam in the second half. Skipper Drew Cooney dropped back into the centre of defence while Tyrone Palmer partnered Ben Burns up front.

Burns was not far away with an early free-kick and Jez Tobin rode a couple of tackles in a strong run from midfield before firing just wide, but it was Lancing who broke the deadlock.

Ex-Wasp Barry Leete created the danger with a left-wing cross and Annis turned inside a couple of challenges before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Lee Whibley and into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.

Grinstead took a while to re-group and Whibley was forced to tip over a 25-yard drive from Lee Cox as the more experienced visitors threatened another goal.

But Wasps gradually got back into the game and James Horner headed just over and Palmer was denied by a brave save from Lancing goalkeeper Tony Di Berardo.

At the other end, Whibley made a superb save at point-blank range to deny Richie Partridge after a tremendous scramble on the Wasps' goal-line. Although Grinstead continued to dominate possession after the break they lacked a cutting edge, a problem which has been evident for much of the season.

Burns and Palmer worked hard but the final ball was often a let down and Leete had the best chance of the second half but he was denied by another fine stop from Whibley.

Norris threw on 16-year-old Michael Belli in the last 12 minutes and he looked a threat down the left but apart from a late scramble when Di Berardo failed to claim Tyrone Roberts' cross, it never looked as if Grinstead would get the goal their hard work deserved.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Tobin, Green, Cooney, Horner (sub: Belli 78), Pelling (sub: Harris 73), Roberts, Palmer, Burns.

:: Southwick 1, East Grinstead Town 0 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
CARETAKER-boss Micky Buckingham could offer few excuses after Wasps made a limp exit from the RUR Cup on Saturday.

Paul Martin's goal four minutes from time settled a dour second round tie at Old Barn Way. Martin bustled his way into the box and although Lee Whibley saved his first shot, he could not prevent the Southwick striker from converting the rebound.

Buckingham felt the exertions of last Tuesday's League Cup tie against Crowborough may have been a factor, but he conceded that Wasps had failed to do themselves justice against an ordinary Southwick team on a hard, bobbly pitch totally different to the lush East Court surface.

He said: "I remember earlier in the season when we went to Storrington after a hard midweek game and struggled and this was similar. We were flat, too casual on the ball and struggled to create many chances. Neither did they, to be honest, and it was a pretty poor game overall. One or two of the players apologised afterwards which was good to hear because it shows they care but it was still very disappointing."

Buckingham made two changes to the side beaten by Crowborough with Tyrone Roberts alongside Ben Burns up front and Jez Tobin restored to midfield.

But apart from a shot by Burns which tested the home keeper and an effort by fullback Richard Foyle which clipped the outside of the post, Grinstead created very little.

"There were lots of average performances from us," conceded Buckingham, who gave 16-year-old Michael Belli a taste of first-team action as a second-half substitute.

"The only positive is that it was not a league game. I would fancy us to take six points off them in the league."

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Green, Bradford, Cooney, Roberts (sub: Palmer), Thompson (sub: Belli), Burns, Tobin, Horner.

:: East Grinstead Town 0, Crowborough Athletic 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS produced a battling performance against the County League leaders at East Court on Tuesday, but two goals in three first-half minutes were enough to ensure Crows progressed to the third round of the John O'Hara League Cup.

Caretaker-boss Mick Buckingham made three changes to the team which had beaten Midhurst in his first game in temporary charge, bringing in James Horner for his first start of the season, striker Tyrone Palmer for a full debut up front and recalling Tyrone Roberts. Simon Cassidy was unavailable and Grant Rigler and Jez Tobin dropped to the bench.

Wasps began brightly and Ben Burns forced an early save out of Rob Gordon, but Crowborough began to get into their stride and they went ahead in controversial circumstances in the 16th minute. Lee Whibley did well to keep out Dave Adams' shot but Ross Treleaven smashed the loose ball past him via the underside of the bar, the assistant referee deciding that the ball had crossed the line despite Grinstead protests.

Two minutes later, as several Grinstead players argued with the referee about the award of a quickly-taken free-kick, midfielder Danny Baker smashed a right-foot shot past Whibley to make it 2-0.

As Wasps tried to respond, Phil Thompson dragged two efforts wide but the home side struggled to get behind a rugged defence in the first half.

But it was a different story after the break when Grinstead often looked more threatening.

James Horner was inches away with a low shot after Burns' neat step-over and Gordon was equal to another Horner shot on the hour.

Five minutes later Matt Bradford hooked a close range half-volley over the bar after Horner's corner had been flicked on and then Palmer's first touch allowed Gordon to come out and smother the ball after Burns' neat flick had put the new man in on goal.

Grinstead certainly deserved something for their second-half efforts as they matched Crowborough in all areas of the pitch except where it mattered most.

Bradford wasn't far away with a 20-yard free-kick and Drew Cooney, who had a great game in midfield, headed onto the top of the goal late on while at the other end Crows' skipper Craig Bishop hit the post with a late header.

Despite the result, there were lots of positives from a Grinstead perspective. Palmer worked hard up front on his debut and apart from those two first-half minutes, Wasps defended solidly against opposition still unbeaten this season.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Green, Bradford; Horner (sub: Rigler 80), Thompson, Cooney, Roberts; Burns (sub: Harris 76). Unused subs: Cassidy, Tobin.

:: East Grinstead Town 5, Midhurst & Easebourne 4 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS FORCED TO HANG ON AFTER MIDHURST FIGHTBACK

Wasps took just three minutes to go in front when Simon Cassidy's lay-off just inside the box found Ben Burns who hammered an unstoppable left-foot volley past goalkeeper Stuart Burt.
Drew Cooney bettered that effort on 16 minutes when he hammered a rising shot from 30 yards which gave Burt no chance.
But Midhurst were always a threat and they made it 2-1 after 29 minutes when Lee Whibley failed to claim a corner and James Glue's chip gave Paul Jefford an easy header from five yards.
Defender Matt Bradford vented his frustration by foolishly kicking the goalpost and injured his foot in the process and he did not appear for the second half.
Grinstead came roaring back, however, and Grant Rigler and Burns combined to release Jez Tobin and he neatly beat Burt from just inside the box to make it 3-1 after 36 minutes.
And the game looked all over when Wasps scored twice in two minutes to take a 5-1 lead by the 58th minute.
Cooney's pass released Burns down the left and he held off his defender before beating Burt with an angled shot inside his near post.
Then Rigler showed great persistence to win the ball back off a defender inside a crowded six-yard box before finding the bottom corner.
Midhurst had scored eight goals the previous week and the fact they won ten corners to Wasps' none is an indicator of how much of a threat they carried up front all afternoon.
Stuart Day's 75th-minute header appeared to be no more than a consolation but Wasps were starting to wobble when James Wills' low shot went in off the far post to make it 5-3 with five minutes remaining.
And with a minute of normal time remaining substitute Luke Shildrick got between two defenders to beat Whibley from 15 yards.
The Grinstead goalkeeper made several fine saves throughout and got a black eye for his trouble after Wills made contact when Whibley dived bravely at his feet.
After scoring just six goals in their previous six games Buckingham was delighted that Grinstead rediscovered their attacking threat. And the crowd were not complaining after one of the best games at East Court for years.

Team: Whibley; Buckingham, Foyle, Green, Bradford (sub: Roberts 45), Tobin, Thompson, Cooney, Cassidy; Burns, Rigler (sub: Horner 85).

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Seaford Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
BOSS Bob Smith is intensifying his efforts to bring a new striker to East Court after watching his side lose their third successive game on Saturday.

Hardworking Seaford plundered a 2-1 win thanks to two goals in the space of five first-half minutes and, to complete their misery, Grinstead lost defender Matt Bradford in the 75th minute when he was shown a straight red card by referee Lloyd MacDonald for stamping on an opponent off the ball. Ironically, Wasps played their best football with ten men but not for the first time this season their neat approach work counted for little because a lack of finishing power.

Smith said: "I have tried various permutations up front but Saturday proved what I have known for a while now - we lack a cutting edge. A striker was a priority in the summer and I spoke to lots of players but without luck and the situation has remained unchanged. I don't think we are that far away from being a very good side in this league but everyone can see where our main weakness is. When we don't take our chances it puts pressure on the defence to keep clean sheets and that is hard to do week in, week out."

Smith said he had no complaints about Bradford's dismissal which will cost him a three-match ban. He added that Bradford had apologised for his actions to his team-mates afterwards.

Tom Callaghan put Seaford ahead after 20 minutes with an unchallenged close range header but Tyrone Roberts scored a great equaliser two minutes later, heading over his marker and then lashing an unstoppable shot past Seaford goalkeeper Graham Webb.

But Chris Stanyard restored Seaford's lead three minutes later from the penalty spot and for all their huffing and puffing, Grinstead rarely threatened to equalise in the second half.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Green, Bradford; Roberts, Tobin (sub: Major), Cooney, Wright; Burns, Rigler (sub: Thompson).

:: Tunbridge Wells 3, East Grinstead Town 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
BOSS Bob Smith was left 'shocked' after we threw away a 2-0 lead to crash out of the FA Vase to a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time on Saturday.

Grinstead were in control for an hour thanks to goals from Jez Tobin and Simon Cassidy but the game was transformed by the arrival of Wells' substitute Ross Campbell who gave his side some attacking momentum.

And after levelling with two goals in 11 minutes, Wells won it with virtually the last kick when Phil Thompson conceded possession in midfield and Alex Rich was allowed to progress down the left before supplying a pass to David Blundell whose low shot from the edge of the box beat Lee Whibley.

It ended a disappointing week after we were beaten in their FA Cup replay by Hamble a few days earlier.

Bob said: "I cannot believe how we lost that game - I'm in shock. We didn't really build our play at all in the first half but for 25 minutes at the start of the second half I thought we were superb.

"Our defending has been good this season but we slipped below the standards we have set ourselves on Saturday. That's not just our defenders - we defend as a team and it will have to improve."

The hosts had not won any of their first six games and their inexperienced side looked vulnerable despite having plenty of possession. Goalkeeper Jim Simpson had already made a good save to deny Ben Burns when Tobin scored his first of the season on 32 minutes with a well-struck shot.

A minute into the second half Cassidy finished off a good move with a clinical finish from the left-hand side of the box for his third goal in as many games since coming into the side.

At that stage Wasps were comfortable but the arrival of Campbell seemed to give Wells inspiration. They were back in the game on 74 minutes when central defenders Matt Bradford and Tom Green seemed to be dragged out of position and Wayne Balmer's far post cross was headed in by Brad Mortimer.

Grinstead still carried a threat on the break but Wells were now dictating the contest and it was no surprise when they levelled after 85 minutes. Whibley, who has been outstanding so far this season, was punished when he dropped Balmer's corner and Ben Hilden pounced from a yard to make it 2-2.

Then, just when extra time was looming, Grinstead conceded the winner in the fourth minute of time added on.

Wasps have won once in their last five league and cup games and Bob admitted he was happy to now get back to the bread and butter of the County League.

"We have to enter the FA competitions and it's nice to play teams from other leagues but so often we lose these games and it knocks the confidence of the players," he said.

"So we need to bounce back and get on track again. I still think there are areas of the squad which we need to strengthen and I am working very hard to do that at the moment."

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Green, Bradford, Cooney, Roberts (sub: Rigler 72), Thompson (sub: Reed 90), Burns, Tobin, Cassidy. Unused sub: Snape.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Hamble ASSC 3 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
THREE goals in the last 12 minutes condemned Wasps to an early FA Cup exit at East Court in Tuesday's preliminary round replay.
Grinstead had matched their Wessex League opponents for long periods and created the better chances with Phil Thompson and Drew Cooney missing the best of them when they only had the goalkeeper to beat.
Defensively, the home side looked solid again until a rare mistake by Matt Bradford allowed Hussey to put the visitors in front after 78 minutes.
Ball (82) and Keough (88) added further goals on the break as Wasps pushed forward in search of a way back into the tie and their consolation came in injury time when Ben Burns' cross was fumbled by the goalkeeper and Simon Cassidy scored for the second successive game.
Boss Bob Smith said: "It's very disappointing. All we lacked was someone to finish the chances we created because I thought for most of the game we were the better side. But goals change games."

:: Hamble ASSC 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
SIMON Cassidy scored his first goal for the club as we fought hard to secure a replay against their Wessex League opponents in Saturday's FA Cup preliminary round tie.

Manager Bob Smith was pleased with the resilience his side had shown.

He said: "They are a decent side and the first thing I reminded the players afterwards that the replay will be just as difficult - no one should believe the tie is over because we have home advantage.

"The least Hamble deserved was a replay. I didn't think we kept the ball as well as we have been doing and relied on the long ball too much but defensively we looked solid again which is encouraging."

The kick off was delayed 25 minutes because of the late arrival of the two assistant referees, who had flown in from the Channel Islands.

Cassidy, 25, a left-sided midfielder who joined Wasps from Ryman League Whyteleafe a fortnight ago, struck just 11 minutes into his full debut. Ben Burns released Tyrone Roberts and he threaded a pass into the path of Cassidy whose low shot gave Hamble goalkeeper Nick O'Donnell no chance.

After that the home side began to assert themselves and there were several scares for the visitors before Hamble equalised just before half-time. Richard Foyle's handball gave them a free-kick on the edge of the box and Paul Vinton gave goalkeeper Lee Whibley no chance.

Strong winds and rain were hardly ideal conditions for decent football and the second half lacked the spark of the first 45 minutes.

Hamble looked more likely to win it in normal time but we were solid at the back again and indeed missed a great chance in the last minute to snatch victory. Roberts got free of his marker and smashed a shot against the near post with O'Donnell beaten. The ball rebounded to Roberts who squared it to Foyle but, with an open goal gaping, he dragged his shot agonisingly past the far post.

Smith added: "It would have been a travesty had we won it because Hamble deserved a second chance."

Wasps: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Green, Bradford, Cooney, Roberts, Thompson, Rigler(sub: Tobin), Burns, Cassidy. Unused subs: Granger, Harris.

:: Crawley Down 0, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
GRINSTEAD brought back Drew Cooney after suspension for Monday's trip to Crawley Down and the skipper had a great game in midfield.

But his wasn't the only good performance in a Grinstead shirt. Matt Bradford was a commanding presence and the back and Ben Burns worked hard up front and deserved his third goal of the season.

It came in the 17th minute from a free-kick after Phil Thompson had been fouled on the edge of the box and Burns curled a low shot around the wall and past Jimmy Arnold.

Tom Saunders had the home side's best efforts with two shots, the second bravely blocked by Tom Green, but Wasps looked dangerous and Burns put two more free-kicks over the bar before squandering a great chance on 38 minutes when Tyrone Roberts' cross found him unmarked six yards out but he headed straight at Arnold.

Wasps had to contend with the stiff breeze in the second half but they gave great protection to goalkeeper Lee Whibley whose only save came when he pushed Dan Sullivan's shot around the post on the hour.

At the other end Grant Rigler and Roberts missed great chances to extend Wasps' lead but they were comfortable winners in the end.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle (sub: Cassidy 64), Cooney, Bradford, Green, Roberts, Thompson (sub: Tobin 75), Burns, Rigler (sub: Moffatt 80), Wright.

:: East Grinstead Town 1, Pagham 2 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
Grinstead had taken a 24th-minute lead against Pagham when Ben Burns' low cross was finished off by Grant Rigler for his second goal of the season.

Other chances were squandered and Wasps were punished 11 minutes from time when Jordan Willis equalised from a Pagham counter-attack which started at a Grinstead corner.

And Wasps suffered again two minutes from time when Pagham worked a good over-lap down the right and Michael Frangou had time to pick his spot at the far post.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Tobin, Bradford, Green, Roberts, Thompson, Burns, Rigler, Wright. Subs (all used): Moffatt, Cassidy, Major.

:: Storrington 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: back to top Go to the top of the page
WASPS remain unbeaten in the County League after coming from behind to hold early division two pacesetters Storrington on Saturday.

In the absence of the holidaying Bob Smith, assistant manager Mick Buckingham had the luxury of naming the side which drew 0-0 with promotion favourites St Francis Rangers last week.

And there was certainly evidence that a new-look Grinstead side are starting to bed down, although a game ruined by the bumpy pitch and swirling wind was hardly one for the connoisseur.

The hosts, who had won their opening two matches, kicked down the slope in the first half and soon made their advantage count with a 12th-minute opener.

Wasps struggled to clear at the back and Ramin Jarvand had time and space to fire a low shot past Lee Whibley.

Grinstead gradually got to grips with a robust home side and although neither side created any clear-cut openings in the remainder of the first half, Wasps finished it stronger and had two half-chances just before half time.

First, Storrington goalkeeper Neil Gledhill pushed a shot from leftback Richard Foyle over the bar and then Matt Bradford met Ben Burns' corner with a fierce header which was only just off target.

Gledhill produced another full-length save at the start of the second half to keep out Drew Cooney's drive, but Storrington continued to threaten and Bradford's excellent header from in front of his own goal prevented Dan Griffin from doubling their lead.

Buckingham made a double change midway through the second half, bringing on James Ricketts for his first appearance of the season alongside Bradford in the heart of the defence and replacing Burns with Tom Harris which allowed Jez Tobin to play up front.

Suddenly Wasps looked a lot more energised and they drew level ten minutes from time although the goal was very much route one. Whibley's clearance was flicked on by Phil Thompson in midfield and Grant Rigler got in front of his marker before neatly lifting the ball over Gledhill for his first Grinstead goal.

Then three minutes from time Wasps almost won it when Rigler fired a shot against the post from Foyle's cross.

Team: Whibley, Buckingham, Foyle, Green