A few years ago Town would have gladly taken three points in the Suburban League but this season the expectations of the team are much higher.
Whilst Wasps won the match at ease the performance was poor albeit it on a very difficult playing surface.
Town had already missed a number of chances when they took the lead after 20 minutes; Dan Powell neatly rounded the keeper to put the visitor ahead.
There was very little good play in the first half but Town were still able to miss at least another four good chances. It was not just the attacking play that was poor; Town;s defence was sloppy inthe first half and did not play with any tempo.
The second half did se a slight improvement in performance; with Dan Powell getting a second goal and Grant Rigler also netting from close range. The only positive note was the appearance of Mannie Neville after a number of weeks out. He kept the ball moving in the middle of the park as Town at least tried to play some football in the second half.
Team : Lindsay, Cooney, Buckingham, Major D, Johnston, Neville (Miles), Marshall, Powell, Rigler, Major S, Neville (Mannie).
Subs Used : Hunt, Tadman and Seruwagi.
Another convincing win for the Reserves in the Suburban League in a game they could have won by more than the 4-0 scoreline.
However, it was the visitors who started brightly and would not allow Wasps to get out of their half. After 15 minutes this all changed when the first positive move by Grinstead led to a goal. Steve Major passed a diagonal ball to Charlie Marshall who whipped in, first time, a low cross which found Dan Powell who cooly slotted the ball home from six yards.
It took only another five minutes to extend the lead; Dan Powell was crudely fouled in the box and Steve Major made no mistake from the spot. Town rounded off the first half in style with an excellent third goal. Blair Cooney started the move from right back and following good one touch passing from Charlie Marshall and Steve Major, Cooney raced clear and then gave the keeper no chance with an excellent finish from 15 yards.
The second half was dominated by Town and the Wasps keeper, Liam Lindsay, and his defence, had very little to do. The fourth goal came on 65 minutes when an excellent cross from Charlie Marshall found Scott Johnston unmarked in the six yard box and his header was neatly directed into the corner of the net.
Town did score a perfectly good fifth goal when a good pass from Dave Major found Steve Major who scored with a powerful shot. Everyone, including the opposition and the Assistant Referees saw that it was a goal but the referee decided to give a corner. It could not spoil a good performance by Town as they now look to a good run of games to finish off a highly successful season.
Team : Lindsay, Cooney, Granger, Major D, Johnston, Hunt, Marshall, Causon, Powell, Major S, Knight Subs : Buckingham, Tadman, Seruwagi.
Town welcomed a high flying Epsom & Ewell team to the GAC Stadium in what was going to be a very tight game. The visitors started very brightly and could have taken the lead in the first ten minutes. Wasps survived these initial scares and started to play better as the half continued. The match remained goal less and Town were hoping for a better second half performance.
Wasps raised the tempo of the game in the second half and were the more dominant team. Chances were very few and far between but Town dominated both territory and possession. It ended with a point for both teams in a hard fought battle.
Team : Lindsay, Splarn, Granger, Causon, Neville, Hunt, Fildes, Marshall, Rigler, Major S, Knight. Subs Used : Clark-Ward, Wakley
A superb display by Town against a very strong Welling United team. For most of the first half Town were defending and the attitude and workrate of all of the players was excellent. Wasps were able to keep the home side to long range efforts. Town did start to keep the ball better and could have gone into half time in the lead but an excellent run by Charlie Marshall led to a good save by the home keeper.
Town played more positively in the second half and a speculative strike by Steve Major from 40 yards nearly embarrassed the home keeper. Welling took the lead on 70 minutes when a free kick was turned into the goal by a Wasps defender and they extended the lead from the penalty spot on 85 minutes.
A great display from all 12 Wasps players against a very good team.
Team : Abbott, Splarn, Taylor, Causon, Neville, Cooney, Knight, Marshall, Rigler, Major S, Granger Sub Used : Fletcher
A win for Town Reserves lifts them to third in the Suburban League in a game which Wasps did just enough to gain all three points.
The first ten minutes were dominated by the visitors and it was no surprise when a deflected shot fell into the path of their striker to score from close range. The goal shook Town into life and their fast attacking play started to ask questions of the Crowborough defence. The equalising goal on 25 minutes came in quite a strange way. Steve Major chased what seemed to be a lost cause but the Crowborough keeper failed to claim the ball and Major nipped in to score.
Town were now on top and went close to taking the lead through headers from Miles Neville and Dave Major. The breakthrough came on 40 minutes when Lee Granger intercepted a pass in the midfield; a one-two with Steve Major saw Granger then cross for Simon Tadman to make no mistake from 10 yards.
Another poor second half; like Saturday, saw Wasps concede after a couple of minutes and make the scores level. Crowborough then enjoyed their best spell of the game before a breakaway saw Town regain the lead. Michael Belli was brought down in the box and Steve Major converted the penalty.
Wasps confirmed the victory in the 80th minute when Steve Major went through and pulled the ball back for Charlie Marshall to side foot into the corner of the net.
Town were not at their best tonight and were hampered by injuries but still came through worthy winners.
Team : Abbott, Buckingham, Neville, Major D, Johnston, Cooney, Marshall, Belli, Tadman, Major S, Granger Subs Used : Causon, Knight, Seruwagi
Another away win for Town Reserves in the Suburban League, this time against Godalming Town, lifted them to 5th place in the league. After such a long period of inactivity, Town can be very happy with both the result and the performance.
Town started the game at a high tempo and pressed the home side back at every opportunity. It was therefore no surprise when Town took the lead after 10 minutes; an excellent run down the left flank by Lee Granger saw him pull a ball back into the box for Michael Belli to slide the ball into the net.
It was just the start Town needed but they then decided to sit back and invite Godalming to get both territory and possession. In the 25th minute the home side nearly equalised when a ball over the top caught the Wasps defence square. Fortunately, Town keeper, Ben Abbott, was quick off his line and made a vital stop that kept Wasps in front. That shock seemed to spur Town on and in the last 10 minutes of the half they began to regain control. Just before half time Wasps extended their lead when a cross from Simon Tadman was pulled back by Lee Granger to Dave Major's whose goal bound shot was deflected off a defender into the path of Grant Rigler who smartly tapped in from close range.
The second half started with two goals in the first 5 minutes. The home side took a quick throw on and their striker hit a looping shot from 30 yards into the top right hand corner. Wasps response was immediate when Grant Rigler was released through for a one on one with the keeper; Rigler maintaining his nerve to cooly lob the advancing keeper and restore Wasps' two goal advantage.
Town for the next twenty minutes then played their best football of the match as they started to dominate their tired opposition. There were a number of missed chances by various culprits but they scored a fourth goal on 75 minutes when Steve Major found room in the box to score from 15 yards and it was five a minute later when Michael Belli ran through to score his second goal of the game. Godalming did score a consolation goal in the final minute but the three points were already on the way back to East Grinstead.
Team : Abbott, Buckingham, Hunt, Major D, Johnston, Neville, Tadman, Belli, Rigler, Major S, Granger. Subs Used : Marshall and Seruwagi
Wasps Reserves finished off their 2009 Suburban League programme with an excellent 3 points. They have now compiled 38 points in the league and are currently in 6th place in the table; a great achievement by all concerned.
Grinstead faced a busy and aggressive Horley team who started brightly but it was Wasps who had the first chance when Michael Belli, cutting in from the left hand side, had his shot well saved by the home keeper. Horley took the lead on 15 minutes when a corner into Wasps 6 yard box was not dealt with and the ball was bundled into the goal. This setback lifted Wasps and they dominated the rest of the half. Miles Neville went close twice with powerful headers from corners but they eventually did equalise on 28 minutes. A cross by Dave Major was chested down by Steve Major to enable Bobby Buckingham to direct a shot into the bottom right hand corner.
The second half saw Grinstead put in a strong performance with the majority of possession and territory. Grant Rigler nearly scored in the first minute of the second half but his deflected shot went just wide. Dave Major got clear a couple of times out wide and also went close to scoring for Grinstead; however the breakthrough eventually came on 65 minutes.
Wasps pressure from a throw in saw the ball fall to Michael Belli in the box and as he went past the defender he was fouled for a penalty. Steve Major dispatched the penalty to give Wasps a 2-1 lead.
When it looked like a comfortable victory Wasps were caught flat footed by a rare Horley Town attack. Ben Abbott saved the first shot but could do nothing with the follow-up and the home side were back on level terms.
With just 4 minutes remaining Grinstead scored the winning goal; Rigler put Steve Major through and he cleverley knicked past the advancing keeper before scoring from a tight angle.
A good overall performance and let's hope the second half of the season is even better.
Team : Abbott, Buckingham, Granger, Major D, Neville, Cooney, Tadman, Belli, Rigler, Major S, Causon. Sub Used : Hunt
On a day when many games were called off due to the weather, the Reserves were able to play on a near perfect surface at the GAC stadium; a testament to the time and money spent on the pitch by the club.
Wasps started strongly and were in control of both territory and possession. However the first chance fell to the visitors when a quick turn and shot was superbly saved by Grinstead keeper, Ben Abbott.
Wasps pressed and Steve Major went close with a speculative effort from 40 yards following a poor clearance by the keeper. On twenty minutes Town nearly did take the lead when a Michael Belli corner was met with a powerful header by Miles Neville but unfortunately the header went just over the bar. The breakthrough came after 25 minutes and it was the visitors that caused their own downfall. A Colliers Wood United defender passed a bouncing ball back to his keeper. Dave Major had chased the ball down from midfield and as the keeper mis-controlled the ball, Major nipped into score.
Town were looking for the second before half time and Ben Burns, playing his first game following a three match ban, fired a shot just over the bar and Steve Major then made the keeper pull off a good save from a free kick.
The half time came with Town leading one nil and the second half saw Colliers Wood play alot better. However, some excellent defending, especially from Lee Granger, ensured that the visitors had no real chances.
Town continued to play their attacking game and Micheal Belli's effort went just wide. The introduction of Grant Rigler led to the second goal after 65 minutes. Rigler pulled out wide to receive a pass; he then struck a powerful shot which the keeper could only parry out. Dave Major was on hand to slot a left foot shot in from 15 yards and give Wasps a two goal advantage.
Simon Tadman had a good game throughout and in the closing stages caused the visiors defence some real problems with his pace. Town did switch off defensively in the closing stages and concede a goal but the win was not in doubt and lifted the team to sixth place in the Suburban League.
Team : Abbott, Buckingham, Granger, Major D, Neville, Causon, Tadman, Belli, Burns, Major S, Lynn Subs Used : Rigler, Gellatly, Splarn
Four Suburban League wins on the trot for Wasps as they came from a goal down at half time to deservedly pick up all three points at Oakwood. The first half saw Wasps play down the slope and they controlled both territory and possession in the first 15 minutes. It was the home side that took the lead on 22 minutes when they scored directly from a free kick on the edge of the box.
Town regrouped and missed a couple of chances to get the equaliser before half time. The second half saw Simon Tadman starting to torment the home defence and the equaliser came on 60 minutes. Good play by Bobby Buckingham and Dave Major on the right saw the ball come into a confused Oakwood defence. The ball eventually crossing the line courtesy of a brave header from Michael Belli. It was Belli who struck again on 70 minutes when he burst through two tackles before rounding the keeper and scoring into an empty net.
The third goal on 85 minutes confirmed the points for Town when Steve Major's 25 yard shot found the bottom right hand corner. The second half was a much better display by Town and the ran out fully deserved winners.
Team : Lindsay, Buckingham, Granger, Major D, Causon, Hunt, Tadman, Belli, Rigler, Major S, Lynn. Subs Used : Knight, Heywood
Wasps picked up three points at a fog bound GAC Stadium to do the double this season over Horsham YMCA.
It was the visitors who started brightest and took the game from Town but it was Wasps that struck on the counter attack to take the lead after 15 minutes. A through ball by Dave Major found Simon Tadman, and he clinically scored past the advancing keeper.
The second half saw Town really dominate and the crucial second goal came after 70 minutes. A clever ball from Dave Gellatly found Dave Major, who went round the keeper to score. The third goal after 75 minutes was again from Dave Major, when his 25 yard shot found the bottom corner of the net.
Whilst not the best performance of the season, the Reserves can be delighted by their defensive display which gave them a clean sheet.
Team : Lindsay, Buckingham, Hunt, Major D, Johnston, Cooney, Knight, Belli, Tadman, Major S, Granger. Subs Used : Lynn, Gellatly, Seruwagi.
A solid performance by the Wasps on a poor surface at Cobham.
It was a game Town were always in control of and if they had converted more chances it would have reflected the dominance they had in the game. Dave Knight went close to giving Wasps the lead but his shot was tipped onto the bar by the home keeper. Simon Tadman then saw his shot hit the bar before Town took the lead after 30 minutes. A corner by Michael Belli was headed powerfully into the net by Mitchell Hunt.
The second half saw Town remain in control and they extended the lead after 65 minutes when Steve Major shot into the roof of the net.
The third goal came courtesy of a surging run by Knight who found Belli who cooly slotted it past the keeper from 15 yards. The home side got a consolation goal in the last 5 minutes but the three points were fully deserved by Town.
Team : Lindsay, Buckingham, Granger, Tilley, Johnston, Hunt, Knight, Belli, Rigler, Major S, Tadman. Sub Used : Wakley
It was great for the Reserves to travel to a Ryman League club and come away with a well deserved victory. Town were bright from the start and could have taken the lead after 30 seconds but Grant Rigler shot tamely at the keeper. It was the home side who took the lead against the run of play when there was indecision in the Town defence. Wasps were level almost immediately, a Steve Major free kick was not held by the keeper and Michael Belli was quickest to react as he scored from close range. Wasps' domination of the first half was confirmed after 35 minutes when Steve Major was put through and brought down for a penalty, Major got up to take the penalty and put Town in the lead.
The second half again started well for Grinstead and they extended their lead on 55 minutes when Simon Tadman hit a terrific shot from 20 yards which went in off the under side of the bar. Town were in complete control and should have extended their lead. However the last 15 minutes did see Town wobble as they conceded a goal and then gave away a penalty which was fortunately missed.
It was an excellent performance, particularly the back four of Splarn, Cooney, Johnston and Granger, who all played well. Coupled with the skill and energy that Michael Belli and Dave Major, give to the midfield, the Reserves are becoming a highly competitive team in the Suburban League.
The great news from the club's perspective was that on Saturday the oldest player in the starting line-up was 21 years old.
Team : Lindsay, Splarn, Granger, Major D, Johnston, Cooney, Knight, Belli, Rigler, Major S, Marshall Subs Used : Tadman, Fildes
A strange game that Town dominated in the first half without creating any good chances. The home side never threatened in the first half as the Town defence looked very solid. The first 15 minutes of the second half won the game for the home side as they dominated play and scored two goals.
However the last 30 minutes was all Wasps as they threw caution to the wind. An excellent goal was scored after 80 minutes when Dave Major's pass found Charlie Marshall, who whipped in a first time cross which Michael Belli headed into the corner of the net. Town went close three times in the last 5 minutes but could not find that second goal.
Team : Lindsay, Buckingham, Taylor, Causon, Johnston, Wackett, Marshall, Belli, Major D, Lynn, Granger. Subs Used : Knight, Tilley
The poorest first half performance of the season saw Town 2-0 down at half time and although woking were bright and sharp we had gifted them two goals. The second half was a different story as Wasps had both territory and possession. A Charlie Marshall shot/cross drifted into the goal after 65 minutes but hard as they tried, Wasps could not find the equaliser they deserved. A good performance, in the end, against the league leaders.
Team : Abbott, Cooney, Granger, Major D, Johnston, Wackett, Marshall, Belli, Major S, Buckingham, Tadman. Subs Used : Hunt, Rigler
This was a game Wasps should have comfortably won. There was only one team in it and Newhaven's first team could only knock long balls and chase down defenders.
Against the run of play the home side scored after 55 minutes. Town eventually scored on 80 minutes when Dave Major shot from 25 yards into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Newhaven scored the winner in the first half of extra time. Lots of missed chances and poor final balls by various culprits.
Team : Lindsay, Splarn, Hunt, Major D, Johnston, Cooney, Granger, Belli, Major S, Tadman, Tighe. Subs Used : Fildes, Pleon
Very little good football was played on a poor pitch and in gusty conditions, However, the three points pushed Town up to 6th place in the table. After a goalless first half, the home team took the lead but a Michael Belli strike put Wasps on level terms. In the 80th minute the referee judged Wasps keeper, Liam Lindsay, to handle the ball outside of the box and he was sent off. Lee Granger went in goal and in the final minute Town won the game when a Neil Taylor free kick was headed in by Steve Major.
Team : Lindsay, Hunt, Taylor, Major D, Cooney, Johnston, Granger, Causon, Major S, Belli, Tighe. Sub Used : Pleon.
A last minute goal denied Town all three points in what was an excellent game of football. The home side put out a strong side but Wasps more than matched them. Town led at half time through a Charlie Marshall goal but it should have been a greater lead. Merstham equalised midway through the second half but Town's response was to score again after 75 minutes with a Michael Belli goal. In the 5th minute of injury time Merstham scored.
Team : Lindsay, Cooney, Taylor, Major D, Pelling, Johnston, Marshall, Causon, Lynn, Belli, Granger. Subs Used : Knight, Tighe.
Two wins in four day; both against Ryman League clubs, have seen Town rise to fifth place in the Suburban League. On Saturday Town started brightly and took the lead after 5 minutes. A good ball by Marlon Clark-Ward released Steve Major who slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. The visitors were level after 20 minutes when an unmarked player made a late run and was not picked up in the box. Town regained the lead when an Elvis Lynn curling corner went directly into the goal.
The second half saw Town play much better football and they totally dominated the play. However, Godalming in their only attack of the second half scored after poor tackling. With 15 minutes left Town continued to surge forward. They were awarded a penalty when Sam Fildes was fouled in the box but unfortunately the keeper did well to save Steve Causon's spot kick. With two minutes to go Town scored the winner when good work by Steve Major found David Major and after beating his player he sent a shot curling over the keeper into the far corner.
It was nothing more than Town deserved and it was good to see Michael Belli back in a Grinstead shirt following his return from a brief spell at Three Bridges.
Team : Lindsay, Splarn, Granger, Major D, Hunt, Causon, Denver, Belli, Clark-Ward, Major S, Lynn. Subs Used : Fildes, Wakley
A good solid team performance saw Town take all three points. Wasps suffered a setback in the first half when Miles Neville left the field with a broken collar bone. An even first half saw Town really take control and the goal came after 65 minutes when Scott Johnston's cross was met with a thunderous strike from Elvis Lynn. Well done to debutant young keeper, Liam Lindsay, for a clean sheet.
Team : Lindsay, Johnston, Taylor, Major D, Neville, Wackett, Marshall, Causon, MacMillan, Major S, Lynn. Subs Used : Cooney, Denver, Belli.
Wasps exited from the Suburban League Cup following a long journey to Beaconsfield. The teams looked quite even but an excellent goal from the home side after 30 minutes and then conceding a penalty just on half time saw Wasps trail 2-0 at the break. Town got back into the game with a well taken goal by Tom Westpfel but as Town pushed for the equaliser they were exposed late on and conceded two goals.
Team : Abbott, Cooney, Hunt, McEwan, Neville, Taylor, Granger, Denver, Tadman, Pleon, Coomber. Subs Used : Westpfel, Seruwagi
Town rarely got going in this game and although they took the lead through Aaron MacMillan they were outplayed for long periods. Whilst there was no lack of effort; there was little quality displayed by Wasps in a best forgotten performance.
Team : Abbott, Cooney, Taylor, McEwan, Johnston, Neville, Marshall, Denver, MacMillan, Major S, Granger. Subs Used : Tighe, Tadman, Barber
A comfortable win for Town Reserves against a young Cobham team. It did take until the 55th minute for Town to open the scoring. a fumble by the visiting keeper enabled Alex McEwan to score from close range. As Town dominated it was not long before Marlon Clark-Ward scored the second and with 5 minutes to go, Charlie Marshall finished off the scoring with a low drive into the corner of the net.
Team : Abbott, Causon, Hole, Major D, Johnston, Neville, McEwan, Denver, Clark-Ward, Splarn, Marshall. Subs Used : Tadman, Hunt, Seruwagi
This was a game Town should have won with ease. They raced into a two goal lead thanks to a rare header from Elvis Lynn and even rarer free kick from Miles Neville. Although Oakwood pulled a goal back just before half-time, Town were in control. Numerous missed chances by Town after the break and then in the final minute an equaliser by Oakwood.
Team : Abbott, Causon, Taylor, McEwan, Neville, Johnston, Marshall, Denver, Barber, Lynn, Granger. Subs Used : Rigler, Hunt, Major P
A great start by Town as they took the lead after two minutes with a well hit shot from Grant Rigler; however, after that it all went wrong. The home team equalised midway through the first half and got the winner 10 minutes from time. A game Wasps should have got at least a point from.
Team : Abbott, McEwan, Neville, Major D, Cooney, Johnston, Marshall, Denver, Rigler, Major S, Tighe. Subs Used : Griffin and Wakley
A superb display by the Wasps saw them beat Conference South club, Welling United, in an entertaining game at the GAC Stadium. It was a well deserved victory by the Reserves and one that will hopefully launch the team to a successful season in the Suburban League.
The game started with the visitors controlling the early exchanges and it was therefore not a surprise when they took the lead after 10 minutes. A little bit of hesitancy in the Wasps defence enabled the visitors to create space for a powerful long range shot which gave the Wasps keeper, Ben Abbott, no chance.
There was a good positive response from the Wasps as they started to work hard and close the opposition down. Town were now on the front foot and they thought they had equalised on 15 minutes when Steve Major scored from close range. The goal was ruled out for offside but the officals had not seen a defender standing on the line. However, within two minutes justice was done, when Steve Major's cross was tapped in at the far post by Grant Rigler.
Town were now well on top and an excellent shot by Elvis Lynn was saved by the visiting keeper. With Town looking dominant in defence another chance was created by Lynn, who found Charlie Marshall with an excellent ball.
Marshall struck a powerful shot but it unfortunately went inches wide of the post. Town did take the lead before half time when Dave Major beat his player before floating a ball into Steve Major. He took the ball down on his chest and drove it into the bottom right hand corner to give the Wasps a well deserved lead at half-time.
The second half saw Grinstead keep the tempo at a high level and continue to pressure their opponents throughout the pitch. Alex McEwan had an excellent game at right back and typified the team's display with a lively performance. With both Marc Pelling and Scott Johnston controlling the dangerous Welling forwards the signs were looking good for a Grinstead victory.
The crucial third goal came from an excellent header won by Miles Neville on the half way line; the ball broke to Aaron Denver who released Marshall; his powerful drive gave the keeper no chance.
With Grinstead on top, Sam Fildes and Ben Barber combined to give Barber an opportunity to strike a shot from 25 yards; which was only kept out by an excellent save from the keeper. With Liam Tighe working hard on the left flank it looked like a comfortable victory was assured. However, in the 8th minute of stoppage time, Welling pulled a goal back; it was too little too late.
A great result for Town that sets them up for an away trip to Colliers Wood United on Saturday.
Team : Abbott, McEwan, Neville, Major D, Pelling, Johnston, Lynn, Denver, Rigler, Major S and Marshall Subs Used : Barber, Tighe and Fildes Subs Not Used : Lindsay and Seruwagi
A good start by Town saw them take the lead after 5 minutes when a corner was turned into his own goal by Casuals' defender. The home side equalised midway through the first half. The second half was an even affair but the home side got the winner in the 65th minute. Town pushed forward but could not get the equaliser.
Team : Abbott, Johnston, McEwan, Neville, Marshall, Griffin, Major D, Denver, Lynn, Major S, Rigler. Subs Used : Barber and Tighe
A great start to the season to come away with all three points. A good defensive display was behind this victory as Town looked very solid throughout. The winner came on 65 minutes when Elvis Lynn crossed for David Major to half volley into the corner of the net.
Team : Abbott, Neville, Johnston, Pelling, Taylor, Marshall, Major D, Lynn, McEwan, Major S, Rigler: Subs Used : Causon, Denver, Griffin
