A really flat performance by Town as they never really got into the game.
It was ironic that they ended up taking the lead twice in the game. After 15 minutes of pressure from the home side, it was Town who took the lead on 15 minutes. A through ball found Zac De Cambre and he left the Merstham players 10 yards behind him as he ran annd cooly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Town only held onto the lead for 5 minutes when a deflected shot cruelly beat Scott Owens in goal. However, Town took the lead again on the half hour mark when a corner was not cleared by Merstham; which enabled Blair Cooney to smash the ball home from 8 yards.
Town turned round at half time defending a fragile lead and it was no surprise when Merstham equalised on the hour. Town then played their best 15 minutes of football and carved out a couple of good goalscoring opportunities. When it was looking like Town would go and get all three points they conceded a soft third goal.
Team : Owens, Brockbank, Granger, Major, Cooney B, Foyle, Leggett, Lynn, Rigler, De Cambre and Johnston Subs Used : Harvey and Smith C. Unused Subs : Tilley
Town faced a strong Tooting & Mitcham team in the Suburban League Shield.
However, Town gave their opponents far too much respect and the visitors raced into a 3-0 lead with only 20 minutes on the clock.
After this poor start Town did eventually start to play a little bit of football.
The second half saw a completely different game. Elvis Lynn was unlucky not to score after 50 minutes but Town deservedly got on the scoresheet on the hour mark. Scott Johnston was bundled to the ground and Town were awarded a penalty. Grant Rigler sent the keeper the wrong way and Town started to press the visitors back.
A good run by Rigler saw him shoot and find the net from 20 yards and the game was alive.
Town were unable to find the equaliser and the visitors got the fourth after 80 minutes following a rare second half attack.
A good performance from Town after the first 20 minutes and well played to Town keeper, Rob Gordon, making his debut for the club.
Team : Gordon, Rainbow, Smith J, Tillet, Neville (Miles), Cooney B, Johnston, Brockbank, Rigler, De Cambre and Lynn.
Subs (All Used) : Granger, Pollard and Burns.
Wasps welcomed Ryman League club, Horsham YMCA, to East Court for a difficult Surburban League match. The visitors were the first team to settle and put the Town defence under immediate pressure. It was therefore no surprise when Horsham took the lead after 15 minutes.
This clearly shook the Wasps into action and they started to press the visitors back into their own half. Wide players, Alex Thompson and Scott Johnston, started to find some space and cause problems in the visitors defence. It was Johnston at the back post who was unmarked and cooly slotted the ball past the keeper to give Town the equaliser. Town forwards Grant Rigler and Sean Leggett were now getting much better service and support and were starting to cause problems and after 35 minutes Town took the lead.
Hesitation in the Horsham defence enabled Rigler to fire home from 10 yards to put Town deservedly in the lead. Wasps continued to press the visitors back and it was disappointing that the half time whistle went with Town on top.
It was vital that Town started the second half in the same manner that they finished the first. The initial 10 minutes was scrappy with neither side really controlling the ball. However, Town rarely looked in trouble throughout the second half. With captain Richard Foyle controlling the backline, he was supported by an excellent display by Blair Cooney, together with strong performances by full backs Ben Brockbank and Lee Granger.
As the game moved into the final quarter it was clear that the additional training that the Wasps have been putting in, is starting to pay dividends. The midfield pair of Elvis Lynn and David Major, started to dominate the midfield battle and this led to Town creating a number of goalscoring chances in the last 20 minutes.
It was substitute, Simon Tadman, who came up with the all important third goal after 80 minutes when he beat the keeper from an acute angle. This was clearly Wasps best performance of the season over 90 minutes against a good Horsham YMCA outfit. The team had a
very good level of fitness and has a good balance of young experienced players combined with four Under 18 players. The average age of the team on Saturday was just 19 and that has got to be good news for the future of the club.
An excellent team performance by Town, who will travel with confidence to Raynes Park Vale on Saturday for their next Suburban League fixture.
Team : Owens, Brockbank, Granger, Major D, Cooney B, Foyle, Johnston, Lynn, Rigler, Leggett, Thompson.
Sub Used : Tadman Unused Subs : Day and Tilley
Not a great day for the Reserves. The game started with no real energy from the Waps and as a result it was no real surprise when the home team scored after only 5 minutes. Town were second best all over the field against a team who were not particularly good. Things got worse when Town keeper, Scott Owens, had to be replaced due to a shoulder injury. Chris Day took over in the sticks and young youth team defender, Chris Smith, came in at centre back. Town began to settle as half time approached and Zac de Cambre was unlucky not to equalise after running clear of the defence.
The second half saw Town have more possession and Grant Rigler went close with a shot from 10 yards. The introduction of Ben Brockbank and David Major increased the energy levels but Town could not find that all important goal. On a rare counter attack, Molesey increased their lead after 70 minutes with their only notable shot of the second half.
A disappointing performance by Town and lets hope that they can put in an improved performance at Merstham on Tuesday night.
The drama did not finish there for the Reserves. A blown tyre on the minibus travelling home on the M25 left the squad stranded on the hard shoulder for an hour. There were no casualties thankfully; but some of the players missed the coach they were looking to catch to go on Jan Hartson's birthday drinks in Brighton!
Team : Owens, Stonley, Granger, Tilley, Day, Neville, Denver, Lynn, Rigler, De Cambre and Johnston.
Subs Used : Smith C, Brockbank and Major D.
Wasps travelled to Bognor to take on Predators from the West Sussex Premier
Division in the Sussex Intermediate Cup.
It was not a pretty contest on a bumpy pitch with a strong wind blowing. The first half saw Town dominate
and when they were able to get the ball down they carved open the home
defence. Town missed four one on one's with the home keeper before Grant
Rigler lofted the ball over the advancing keeper to give Town a well
deserved lead.
The second half really did not get going for Town. Their passing was poor
and they came under increasing pressure from set pieces. After 65
minutes Town conceded a penalty but Wasps keeper, Scott Owens, made a
superb diving save to his left. The home team became more frustrated and
this led to a Predators' player being sent off. As is always the case, this
lifted the 10 men and they duly equalised after 80 minutes. Wasps response
was positive and quick. Zac De Cambre got the ball out on the right hand
side; he beat the defender before putting in an excellent cross. Aaron
Zimmatore was unmarked in the box and comfortably beat the keeper with a
close range header.
It was job done for Town who progress through to the third round. It was
good to see Miles Neville make his first start for the Reserves this season
following a pre-season injury. He gave an assured performance in the
centre of defence and was Town's man of the match.
Team : Owens, Stonley, Johnston, Denver, Cooney B, Neville, De Cambre, Lynn, Rigler, Zimmatore and Tadman.
Subs Used : Granger and Nicholson
Town Reserves picked up another three points with a hard fought victory at Horley Town. It could have been such a different story if young Town keeper, Scott Owens, had not pulled off two tremendous saves in the first five minutes of the game. The Town defence in the first half an hour of the game was under pressure and unable to clear their lines. However, it was Town who took the lead in the first half when Grant Rigler found some room in the Horley box and rifled a powerful drive into the top right hand corner.
Although it was not when of their better half's, Town were happy to take a one goal lead into half time. The second half saw Town play more attractive and attacking football. Reserve debutant, Ronnie Nicholson, had a shot cleared from the line, as Town pressed for the all important second goal. Aaron Zimmatore was introduced midway through the second half and he tested the home keeper with three shots in the space of ten minutes. The second goal arrived on 70 minutes when a surging run from Simon Tadman down the left hand side opened up the Horley defence. His cross was met by substitute Zac Curtis, who with his first touch, shot into the top left hand corner.
Town could have increased their lead with Rigler and Stuart Hardy both going close. With keeper Owens making a couple of good saves near the end and it was unfortunate that a deflected cross eventually beat him in injury time. Town held on to win the game and the three points have meant that they have climbed further up the Suburban League table.
Team : Owens, Tilley, Granger, Hardy, Day, Cooney, Tadman, Denver, Rigler, Nicholson and Johnston. Subs (All Used) : Zimmatore, Stonley and Curtis.
Wasps stormed to a convincing win in this Suburban League fixture with some great attacking play.
After a fairly quiet first 15 minutes, Town took the lead courtesy of a great solo run by Zac De Cambre. His first shot was blocked but he responded first to score the opening goal. The lead was extended on the half an hour mark when Elvis Lynn hit a swerving shot from 25 yards which completly confused the visiting keeper. With half time approaching, Wasps gave away possesion and the visitors scored from 15 yards with a low shot.
The second half saw Dan Snape take over in goal from Scott Owens who injured his shoulder. Snape looked very competent in goal but the second half saw the majority of action in the visitors half.
Town extended their lead on 55 minutes when goalscoring centre back, Chris Day, turned on the edge of the box to shoot low into the bottom left hand corner. Town were now in total control and substitute Michael Belli was put through to score under the keeper for the fourth goal. The best goal of the day was again scored by Belli as he smacked a 25 yard shot into the top right hand corner. The rout was completed by Grant Rigler who intercepted a back pass and rounded the keeper for the sixth and final goal.
A mention to Lee Granger who had another excellent game at left back and kept a lively Godalming winger quiet for the afternoon and also Andy Stonley who was very solid at right back.
Another impressive display by the Reserves following on from their good away win at Cobham the previous week.
Team : Owens, Stonley, Granger, Denver, Day, Tilley, Pollard, Lynn, Rigler, De Cambre, Johnston. Subs Used : Snape, Belli and Major (D)
East Grinstead Town Reserves travelled to high flying Cobham for a difficult Suburban League fixture. From the start Wasps looked the brighter and fitter team. Their play was of a good high tempo and their passing was neat and accurate. Although the home team had some fast attacking players, the Wasps defence was organised and disciplined.
Wasps took the lead after 20 minutes when some excellent play and pass by Elvis Lynn found Arran Zimmatore and he cleverly beat the keeper from 15 yards with a shot into the bottom left hand corner. The first half saw Wasps create two other chances for Aaron Denver and Scott Johnston but the score remained at 1-0.
The second hald saw Cobham have the lion's share of the possession but with some excellent defending, the home side were only restricted to two half chances. In fact the nearest to a goal came from Wasps afer 80 minutes. A superb run and pass by Zac de Cambre gave Zimmatore another chance. His superb shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced out. Town weathered the last 10 minutes with relative ease to pick up 3 well desrved points. A real outstanding team performance.
Team : Owens, Tilley, Granger, Denver, Day, Cooney (B), Pollard, Lynn, Zimmatore, De Cambre and Johnston Subs Used : Nottidge and Stonley
Wasps Reserves travelled to Corinthian Casuals for a difficult Suburban League game with the home side sitting top of the table. It was a much changed Wasps team that took the field, which was nearing full strength for the first time this season.
The first 15 minutes was encouraging for Town as they moved the ball well and kept possession. They pressed the home side back and were the first team to create a good chance when a Aaron Denver lob just went over the bar. Unfortunately Wasps needed to make a change after half an hour when Simon Tadman had to come off, as his ankle injury was still aggravating his running. This gave Aaron Zimmatore the chance to partner Zac De Cambre up front as Town pushed for the first goal. It nealy came after 35 minutes when a move involving Michael Belli and Tom Pollard gave Aaron Denver the opportunity to run at goal but his powerful shot was struck high and wide.
The first half ended goaless and Town were keen to start the second half in the same positive manner. Casuals certainly picked up their game in the second half and dominated the early exchanges. The Town back four of Foyle, Cooney, Tilley and Johnston stood firm and Casuals were only able to test Town keeper, Owens, with long range efforts. Foyle in particular was in a no nonsense mood as he won three excellent 50/50 tackles against his sharp opponent.
The deadlock was broken after 65 minutes, when against the run of play, Wasps took the lead. The home defence were unable to clear the ball from their box and it fell to Elvis Lynn who superbly drove the ball into the net from 20 yards. The home side reaced as expected and pushed players forward and Town needed to defend in numbers. The home side equalised after 75 minutes with a well taken goal and with just 5 minutes remaining they took the lead from a far post header. It did not seem fair that Wasps would leave this game with nothing and they showed great character in the final five minutes.
In the last minute of the game, Zimmatore cleverly turned his player in the box and was fouled as he went for goal. The referee straight away pointed to the spot and Zimmatore got himself up to calmy slot the ball past the keeper. It was nothing more than Town deserved and they can now look forward with confidence to a home game this Saturday with Walton Casuals.
Team : Owens, Foyle, Johnston, Belli, Tilley, Cooney, Denver, Lynn, Tadman, De Cambre and Pollard
Subs Used : Zimmatore and Thompson - Sub Not Used : Lochhead
With many injuries, suspensions and unavailabilities, Wasps put out a very young team apart from a couple of experienced players. Si Funnell made his long awaited competitive debut and along with Brian Tilley, that was the experienced players. The next oldest in the squad was Grant Rigler at 19.
The youthful Grionstead side were certainly not overawed by the game and the opponents and actually started the brighter of the two teams. With Funnell and Rigler up front, Town were certainly able to get the ball forward and for the two forwards to hold it up. Sixteen year old Chris Smith, on his Reserve team debut, worked well alongside Blair Cooney and Scott Owens did not have a great deal to do.
The second half saw Wasps make a terrible start. From the kick off, Angels worked the ball wide and allowed a ball to be delivered for a goal to be scored in the first minute of the second half. The response from wasps was fantastic and with nothing to lose they pressed forward. Town went close a number of times but they did not get the rub of the green. with 20 minutes to go Town introduced three 16 year olds, Adam Dawes, Dave Knight and Dave Major, all for their debuts at this level. It was the three 16 year olds who almost won a point for Town in the last 5 minutes. Major won a tackle in the midfield and found Knight with a ball over the tiring Tonbridge defence. Knight ran onto the through ball and chipped the keeper. The ball agonisingly hit the post and fell to Dawes on the six yard line; unfortunately he could not keep his shot down and it went over the bar.
Team : Owens, Snape, Granger, Tilley, Cooney, Smith, Johnston, Pollard, Funnell, Rigler and Thompson. Subs Used : Dawes, Knight and Major.
A quite outstanding goal from Elvis Lynn, 10 minutes from time, gave Wasps a deserved point in this Suburban League clash.
The game started with East Grinstead passing well and put the home team on the backfoot. Whilst Grinstead did not create any clear cut chances, they dominated the first 20 minutes and appeared to have the game under control.
However, a few lapses of concentration in the East Grinstead defence enabled the home team to come into the game. In fact Haywards Heath should have taken the lead before half time but for a superb save from Grinstead keeper, Danny Staples, who was making his first start of the season.
With the scoreline goaless at half time, Grinstead hoped to start the second half positively. It was the home side who started to control the game and they took the lead after an hour with a header from a corner. This seemed to lift Grinstead and they then dominated the remainder of the game.
Zac De Cambre was unlucky not to score when his shot went narrowly wide, and his effort and play certainly warranted a goal. The equaliser came after 80 minutes when a Kevin Wright cross found Elvis Lynn who superbly volleyed the ball into the corner of the net from 30 yards. It was a goal worthy of goal of the season and it lifted Grinstead to go for the winner.
With five minutes remaining Grinstead thought they had scored the winner, when Grant Rigler finished from 15 yards. Unfortunately it was ruled out for offside and Wasps had to settle for a draw.
An overall good performance from Grinstead and they could quite easily have taken all three points. The experienced Kevin Wright was outstanding in defence for the Wasps and there was an assured performance in goal from Danny Staples.
Team : Staples, Tilley, Johnston, Stonley, Cooney (B), Wright, Read, Lynn, Rigler, De Cambre and Hutchinson.
Subs Used : Denver, Gunter (S) and Servwagi Sub Not Used : Granger
The Wasps put in a very good performance to take all three points in this Suburban League game. Town started brightly and were on the front foot for the first 20 minutes. It came as no surprise when they took the lead when a Sam Gunter corner was powerfully headed home by Marc Pelling. Town continued to press but could not find the all important second goal. The last 5 minutes of the first half was the visitors best period of the game and Wasps keeper, Roger Smith was forced into action a couple of times.
Town needed to make changes at half time. Captain Chris Day, was caught with a late challenge during the first half and was unable to start the second half. Tom Pollard came in at right back with Brian Tilley moving into the centre of defence. The second half saw Town once again pressing and the front two, Grant Rigler and Arran Zimmatore, were starting to find more room. With Andy Stonley and Elvis Lynn dictating the pace of the game from midfield, thongs were looking good for Town. The all important second goal came after 60 minutes when Lynn burst through from midfield to calmly slot the ball past the advancing keeper. With Matt Read continuing to be a
constant threat out wide, it looked as if Town would go on and win comfortably.
At this stage the defence was looking dominant with Scott Johnston cutting out any dangerous crossfield balls. However, some sloppy marking at the back post led to a goal by the visitors. Worse was to come when some indecision in the box gave Colliers Wood the goal that looked like it would earn them a point in the 85th minute.
However, some great character by Town was evident when they stormed back for Grant Rigler to snatch all three points with an excellent shot into the top left hand corner from 20 yards. A good win for Town and one they fully deserved. The Reserves do not have a game this Saturday but are inaction next Tuesday when they are away to Haywards Heath in a Suburban League fixture.
Team : Smith, Tilley, Johnston, Stonley, Pelling, Day, Read, Lynn, Rigler, Zimmatore and Gunter (S), Subs (All Used) : Pollard, Gunter (R) and Servwagi
In their Suburban League opener against Conference side Salisbury City, Wasps' reserves lost 5-0 after holding their opponents at 0-0 for 65 minutes.
Aaron Denver wasted a good chance on the hour when he fired straight at the keeper and Dan Sullivan was denied by the post from a free-kick and then hit the bar with the rebound. In the end, the visitors' superior fitness told.
Manager Phil Major said: "I was without four players - Brian Tilley, Andy Stonley, Miles Neville and Michael Belli - who would have been involved and for an hour we acquitted ourselves really well. They were just fitter than us."
