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Under 12's
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Akorn Recruitement - EGTFC U14s kit sponsor
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East Grinstead Town Under 12's Team
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[Last Updated: Wednesday 26th April 2006]
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| Under 12 Team Match Reports |
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- East Grinstead Town Under 12's 5, Horsham Tigers Under 12's 0
- East Grinstead Town Under 12's 3, Forest Row Under 12's 1
- East Grinstead Town Under 12s 1, Albury Eagles Under 12s 0
- Billingshurst Under 12s 2, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 6
- East Grinstead Town Under 12s 7, Barns Green Under 12s 1
- Albury Eagles Under 12s 0, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 5
- Horsham Sparrows Under 12s 3, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 6
- Twin Oaks Under 12s 2, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 3
- Old Dokinians Under 12s 3, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 3
- East Grinstead Town Under 12s 4, Old Dorkinians Under 12s 3
- East Grinstead Town Under 12s 5, Horsham Sparrows Under 12s 1
- East Grinstead Town Under 12's 1, Brockham Badgers Under 12's 3 - Roffey Robbins Frank Giess Cup
- Forest Row Under 12's 3, East Grinstead Town Under 12's 1
- Hailsham Town Under 12s 9, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 0 - Inter League Cup 2nd Round
- East Grinstead Town Under 12s 3, Upper Beeding Under 12s 2
- East Grinstead Town U12s 5, Billingshurst U12s 4
- Barns Green Under 12's 1, East Grinstead Town Under 12's 8
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12's 5, Horsham Tigers Under 12's 0 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s played at home against Horsham Tigers, Saturday April 22nd.
 The final game in Wasps’ U12s league season saw second from bottom side Horsham Tigers, already relegated but playing for pride. Despite their best efforts, the gulf between the two sides was clearly evident. For Wasps, this was effectively a Cup-Final match – a must win – to ensure the three points to finish second in the table and thereby ensuring promotion to the under 13s B Division next season.
Horsham Tigers provided tougher opponents than when last the two sides met – but with some excellent attacking and defending, and goals from Ryan Scott, Joseph Morris-Clarke, and a hatrick from top goal scorer, Rhys Linford – the game finished 5-0. Lad of the match goes to Ryan Scott, who played quite possibly his best game of the season.
Club Chairman Richard Tramontin, kindly attended the match and to demonstrate the under 12s achievements this season, awarded the club's first ever "Chairman’s Trophy for Most Improved Team” much to the delight of the parents, coaches and players.
One final note: each and every player, first team and substitutes, are collectively responsible for the success of the team this year.
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12's 3, Forest Row Under 12's 1 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s played at home against Forest Row, Saturday April 1st.
The last time these teams met – Forest Row took the points with a 3-1 win at home. On this occasion their respective fortunes have reversed with East Grinstead very much in the ascendancy. Wasps were favourites at the start and didn’t disappoint the home crowd in this, their penultimate game of the season. For both clubs this was another “Must Win” game.
A glorious sunny morning with a strong breeze and a pitch damp in places – may well have resulted in a few Bumbles Bees humming round the park. The only wasps however were the eleven striped Under12s players seeking another three points. Solid thoughtful and accurate passing saw Wasps off to the best possible start. Movement and passing from the whistle through the centre and out to the right, where Rhys Linford collected the ball, ran on and scored the opening gaol high into the right side of the opposition net. Nothing remotely shell-shocked about Forest Row, they simply picked up the ball and pressed time and again for an equaliser.
Several chances went begging for Wasps, with good counter-attacking from Forest Row. One notable first half chance came from a brilliant defensive ball out from Noi Olafson to Morris-Clarke who placed a perfectly weighted cross to miles Borrett, who unfortunately shot just wide to the right of the goal.
The second quarter of the first half remained fairly scrappy for Wasps with the better football coming from Forest Row – although for all their good play the Grinstead defenders were a match for the chances created. An excellent counter from Grinstead saw a superb overhead kick from Ryan Scott resulting in the chance being palmed away by the opposition keeper. An impossible knock up the park for Grinstead saw Morris-Clarke taking a breath-taking run to collect the ball – left for dead by Forest Row in the belief it could not be kept in play – it was, and Morris-Clarke ran it into the corner crossed for Linford who shot and yet again the ball was palmed away for a corner. The resulting corner was taken by Scott, and excellent work on the edge of the box, saw play from Jamie Parrett and Chris Clarke both determined to maintain the pressure and goal chances. Finally the ball fell to Alex “Superman” Marshall who drilled the ball true and central into the net. It’s worth noting at this point that Alex Marshall was in hospital three days of last week but still turned up to play.
With a two goal lead at half-time Wasps were clearly doing what was required to contain the opposition – but just as clearly, Forest Row would come out second half all guns a blazing. The home-team-talk suggested a raised and spirited second half performance which resulted in a third goal just thirty seconds from the whistle. Ryan Scott from left side and well outside the box lobbed a fantastic ball into the net leaving the keeper stranded. With three gaols Wasps responded in two distinctive ways. Firstly they settled down with confident defensive work, closing down, pressurising, relieving the opposition of the ball and followed-up with great passing and movement. Secondly, they pinned Forest Row in their own half for pretty much the rest of the game and had chance after chance themselves to score. Notably, James Charman hoisted a ball into the gaol from outside the box – the ball bounced off a defender’s head and into the net but was deemed offside.
With the opposition on the back foot in every sense, Wasps moved the ball around with ease and continued to make chances. Such was the confidence of the entire team – that when a ball dropped to the feet of right-midfielder Morris-Clarke five yards inside the half-way line, he looked-up and hoisted a ball for goal which beat the keeper but bounced off the top of the bar. It might have been spectacular.
Once again, first class defending time and again from, Olafson, Rintoul, Charman and Parrett prevented all bar one counter attack from Forest Row – which led to the only opposition goal. The game finished 3-1 and leaves Wasps in second place in the league still poised for promotion April 22nd
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12s 1, Albury Eagles Under 12s 0 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s played at home against Albury Eagles, Saturday March 26th.
Earlier this season, a depleted Albury Eagles devoid of their key striker, played hosts to East Grinstead Town Under 12s, and the meeting produced a mismatched competition and five away goals for an inform Wasps side. With three points and five goals to the good Wasps returned home happy but surprised by the lack of opposition. The return encounter was always going to be an entirely different battle – and battle it was until the final whistle.
To be certain of at least second place and promotion to the Under 13s B Division, Wasps needed to win this game and the two following against Forest Row and struggling second from bottom side, Horsham Tigers. For Albury to any chance of a second place spot and promotion also, they came to Mount Noddy with a determined “Must Win” attitude.
The game commenced with all memories of the 0-5 win relegated to times past. In all probability the first team to score would likely take the three points from this very close game.
The first five minutes saw the play back and forth with most pressure from Wasps and first class counter attacking nearly resulting in an Albury goal. For another ten minutes the play was almost entirely in the middle of the park. Alex (Superman) Marshall suffering from ill health, called to be substituted, and was duly replaced by Matt Davis in the centre of midfield. The first chance for Wasps came from solid thoughtful play and although the ball hit the opposition net, Miles Borrett was indeed “miles” offside. Although pressure remained on Albury, their counter attacking was superb – which led to fabulous defending time and again from, Noi Olafson, Sam Rintoul, Jack Keeley, James Charman and Captain Jamie Parrett. At the break, attacking and solid defending from both sides characterised the game with a justifiable 0-0 score line.
Where the first half left off, the second began with determined and gutsy performances from Wasps and Albury Eagles. For coaches and parents alike as the game progressed, nerves were jangling.
With a certain goal brewing from Albury, James Charman chased back and undoubtedly saved Wasps late in the game. Matt Davis had a shot literally from the halfway line and almost scored but for an inform sharp-eyes Albury keeper. During the second half the lions share of goal scoring chances went to Albury – and may well have scored several times but for the wall of Wasps’ players across their route to goal.
The breakthrough came only ten minutes from time. Miles Borrett from close ranged put the ball through the keepers legs for a 1-0 lead. The “Crowd” on one side were silent – on the other ecstatic and very loud. During the last ten minutes, chances for both sides were numerous. Albury had yet another, almost certain chance to score, and fortunately for Wasps, the young striker lost composure and scuffed the shot.
At the final whistle neither side deserved to return empty handed – and a share of the points would have represented the play. However, on this occasion, Wasps took all three points to remain in second place. Substitutes, Dawson and McGuffey played well in this all round first class team effort.
Thank you to all the Mums and Dads supporting us this season and in our recent games in particular – please be sure to make the last two – April 1st and 22nd at Mount Noddy.
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| :: Billingshurst Under 12s 2, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 6 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s remain in second place after another emphatic away win at Billingshurst Saturday March 18th 2006.
After the shock defeat last week at Partridge Green, Wasps didn’t want to concede early goals. After fifteen minutes of solid attacking play from Wasps, the first counter-attack from Billingshurst resulted in a corner. The corner was taken beautifully and with a touch of wind assistance sailed perfectly into the far left-hand upper corner of the net. With the back post unmarked and Wasps’ keeper out of position, at a point in the game when East Grinstead should have been five or six goals up, they found themselves one goal down. More attacking play but time and again Wasps were caught offside. Second counter-attack from Billingshurst resulted in a second corner and after a scramble on the line an own-goal was knocked in by a Grinstead defender Chris Clarke gifting the home side a 2-0 lead.
Five minutes later and following relentless pressure, Morris-Clarke won a corner, took it well striking the ball low and hard for Ryan Scott to knock the ball into the net for 2-1 fifteen minutes in. For the next fifteen minutes Grinstead piled on the pressure looking for the overdue equalizer. Then from a well-worked set of moves. Alex Marshall fired a classic Roy of the Rovers shot from left side across the keeper high into the right-hand-side of the Billingshurst net for 2-2.
The second half began much as the first had left off, with Wasps battling back and forth with numerous chances. Wasps’ third goal came once more from good passing and movement. The forth came from a solid kick-out from keeper Poultney, which was collected by Morris-Clarke who ran it half the pitch to win a corner—the corner was taken by Scott and from the resulting scramble in the box, the forth goal was fired in by Rhys Linford. A home side collapse followed—the fifth came from Jamie Parrott, and then yet another great corner was perfectly placed on to the foot of Parrot, and into the net for a superb 2-6 win for Wasps.
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12s 7, Barns Green Under 12s 1 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s in second place were at home against Barns Green current sitting at the bottom, Saturday March 4th. The game finished 7-1.
The win was never in doubt - such is the confidence of Wasps U12s, although the predicted early goals didn’t materialise due mostly to the resilient defending from the visitors who were clearly determined to provide East Grinstead with a fight. The first half was quiet by Wasps recent standards, with goals from Alex Marshall and Sam Rantoul. Rantoul deserves mention if only because he is the smallest Wasps U12 first-team player. Although playing these days at left back and despite the size of some of the Barns Green defenders, he may well have been the only one to turn-up for the perfectly placed corner from Ryan Scott. Rantoul manoeuvred himself into the perfect position and headed the ball into the net for a 2-0 half-time lead. A third goal from striker Miles Borrett didn’t stand due to the offside flag being raised.
Five minutes into the second half, Grinstead stepped up a gear leaving Barns Green in their wake. Goals from substitute striker Elliot Ness, Rhys Linford, defender Captain Olafson, and two more from superhero Alex Marshall, for his first ever league club hatrick, provided an unassailable lead. Grinstead’s defence was once again solid and the midfield, during the second half particularly, delivered.
Mighty-mouse Sam Rantoul, flooring a relative giant Barns Green striker in the box, gifted a penalty to the visitors, and despite a brave attempt from keeper Poultney diving the right way, the consolation goal was the least they deserved for their morning’s work. In typical high-spirits and generous sportsmanship, the Grinstead boys gave a rallying three cheers for the visiting team applauding them graciously as they left the field.
Captain Noi Olafson did great job organising his team and Lad of the Match goes to Alex Marshall, for his unstoppable battling all round the pitch, his determined running cutting through the defensive lines and of course for his excellent hatrick!!
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| :: Albury Eagles Under 12s 0, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 5 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s played Albury Eagles away from home Saturday February 26th. The game finished 0-5, although the hardworking Wasps side could have made it eight.
On a flat level and even pitch in biting winds an expected well-balanced game played out to expectations back and forth for the first ten minutes, during which excellent and solid defending ensured Albury couldn’t finish.
An early chance saw a great ball hoisted from Morris-Clarke to Olafson to Linford who ran to the edge of the 18 yards box and shot from left to right hitting the inside of the post. The ball ran the length of the goal line and bounced out of the opposite post.
Consistent pressure from Grinstead saw the breakthrough come with a beautifully weighted pass through the centre for Linford who ran on and calmly placed the ball in the net for 0-1. Two minutes later, tremendous determination to keep the ball in the danger area paid off when several Albury clearances saw Marshall squeeze the ball into the net for 0-2.
After the break Wasps continued the pressure with excellent passing and movement around the pitch – at times making it seem as if only one team showed up. From a free-kick, left back Sam Rintoul scored a first-class gaol with an un-stoppable shot to make it 0-3. Albury countered with some good attacking play – but remained frustrated by the excellent defending of Rintoul, Clarke, Olafson, Charman and Parrot – who time and again closed down Albury best attacking play.
Further chances came from Wasps’ midfielders placing accurate balls into forward positions – and then finally Alex Marshal put in a cross to Linford so see his second of the game, 0-4. Following three Wasps’ substitutions, keeper Poultney placed a solid ball up field to Scott who crossed to Linford who in turn shot for his hatrick making it 0-5.
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| :: Horsham Sparrows Under 12s 3, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 6 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s played an improving Horsham Sparrows team in Horsham Saturday February 3rd and returned home once more, with all three points. This excellent 3-6 win moves Wasps from fourth to second in the table on equal points with Twin Oaks.
Although the 2-3 half-time score line suggested a close game, the small uneven pitch witnessed East Grinstead dominate with some first class attacking play. On the few occasions Horsham did attack, solid defensive work pushed the home side back. The first goal came from a counter move and a throw-in from James Charman who connected with a run-on from Morris-Clarke who in turn ran the line and passed into the centre for Alex Marshall who literally forced himself and the ball through and left to Miles Borrett whose great first-time shot gave Wasps the lead.
Several first half chances went begging from a combination of play from the entire Grinstead Team but inevitably Wasps second goal came from good movement through the Horsham players for Borrett’s second. This was followed by as easy a goal give-away you’ll ever see as the Grinstead players allowed the Horsham Midfielders and forwards to run directly to goal to bring the score to 1-2. A superbly taken corner from Morris-Clarke saw the ball off the chest of Alex Marshall for 1-3. Horsham’s second came from a mistake in communications in the Wasps’ ranks.
After the break and just two minutes in, good play around the pitch from Wasps and a knock-on from Morris-Clarke to Borrett to Rhys Linford and goal number four. With Wasps easing off the pressure a third goal was gifted to the young Horsham players. At 3-4 East Grinstead however, stepped up a gear and Horsham Sparrows never looked likely to score again. Conversely, Wasps could have scored a hatful. Their fifth came via a superb cross from Ryan Scott on the left of midfield and a solid finish from Jamie Parrott in the centre. Then another blinding Morris-Clarke run from the right of midfield saw his inch-perfect cross collected by Wasps substitute debut forward Elliot calmly smash the ball into the net for Grinstead’s sixth and final goal of the morning.
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| :: Twin Oaks Under 12s 2, East Grinstead Town U12s 3 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s faced the in-form league leaders, Twin Oaks, away at Ifield Saturday January 21st and returned home with all three points.
Another great start, and two minutes into the game saw Miles Borrett provide an early lead for Wasps. Twin Oaks however – never a side to sit back – countered almost immediately with what can only be described as a soft goal. Pressure was applied by East Grinstead and several chances went begging thereafter. Scott, Marshall and Morris-Clarke, played well and served several chances to Borrett and Linford up front. The four defenders and Jamie Parrot held fast for the most part making life extremely frustration for the Twin Oaks’ front boys.
The second Wasps’ goal was created from a fantastic ball in from Morris-Clarke who had his to the Twin Oaks goal. He turned leaving the defender standing still – ran into the centre of the park and placed a ball through for Rhys Linford who inevitability scored with a cracking shot right of the keeper. At the break 1-2 and on the balance of attacking play – Wasps thoroughly deserved to be ahead.
From the restart Wasps immediately went on the attack – with their first chance of the half coming from Morris-Clarke’s shot bouncing of the post. Then for ten minutes Twin Oaks applied great pressure – but as in all East Grinstead’s recent games – the more pressure applied the stronger their defence seems to get. The wind however was taken out of the Twin Oaks’ sails when Marshall battled emphatically winning the ball in midfield and placed it out left – Linford ran half the pitch – placed a brilliant cross into the box, Borrett almost connected but missed, the ball skipped out right, pick-up by Morris-Clarke who finished well, 1-3 for the visitors.
East Grinstead held fast against some good attacking play from Twin Oaks. With just two minutes to go however, Twin Oaks found a way through and scored a second goal bringing the score to 2-3.
During the second half in particular, Wasps played as well as they have all season demonstrating great team work and resilience. Although most played really well – Captain Morris-Clarke and Marshal played exceptionally well. On this occasion Lad of the match belongs to Alex Marshall who played himself into the ground!
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| :: Old Dokinians Under 12s 3, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 3 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s battled and fought hard away from home in a tough game against Old Dorkinians Saturday January 14th.
Although Ryan Scott gave Wasps the lead after just two minutes of play – Old Dorkinians equalised almost immediately and then took the lead with a well-worked second. A great shot and a touch of luck combined to provide a comfortable two goal cushion when the ball bounced back off the bar, hit one of the East Grinstead defenders and fell back into the net. At the break East Grinstead were feeling battered and bruised.
East Grinstead’s coaching staff managed to re-focus their Under12s, and provide new momentum and the will to carry on fighting for at least two more goals. Both teams came out fighting but soon Wasps took control and the ascendancy for the better part of the second half. Old Dorkinians had chances – but Noi Olafson left his central position to defend deep into both corners on many occasions to assist his wing-backs. It was however, the home side that had to do the lion’s share of the defending during a frantic second period.
When Old Dorkinians broke through and looked likely to make it 4-1, against the run of play, they had not the measure of Olafson who with a magnificent clearing-up interception followed by a perfectly placed ball up to Rhys Linford provided the second scoring opportunity – which Linford took very well. The equaliser came ten minutes from the end. A deflection off a Dorkinians’ mid-fielder, fell to Miles Borrett, and with cool execution chipped the goalie for 3-3.
After this, either side could have won the game with several chances.
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12s 4, Old Dorkinians Under 12s 3 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s were victorious against Old Dorkinians at Mount Noddy Saturday December 3rd.
This game saw both teams take the lead twice – but on this occasion it was Wasps character and spirit – especially during the second half – which ensured all three points for the home side.
Despite rain, mud and slippery gloves, Jordan Poultney (Wasps keeper) managed to save a solid shot from Old Dorkinians. From the resulting corner and goal-kick, East Grinstead worked the ball up and across to Miles Borrett who ran on to the ball from out left – and scored with a fabulous left-foot shot fired in from 20 yards out.
A furious response was launched by the visiting team who’s hard work and a lack of closing down from Grinstead, resulted in an easy equaliser. Within minutes Old Dorkinians ran from their own half through, it seemed unchallenged, to score a second goal taking them into a 1-2 lead. Despite several near misses, at the break the visitors held their narrow lead.
Two minutes after the restart East Grinstead moved their captain Jack Keeley from right-back into the centre-half holding position, put Sam Rantoul into LB and James Charman into RB. With added speed in centre and defence, it took just one minute for a well-worked ball to reach Rhys Linford who levelled score at 2-2.
Old Dorkinians broke through once more to resume the lead at 2-3. But characteristically - the trade mark of this young developing Wasps’ team has become resilience, determination, hard work and heads held high when life on the pitch gets tough. And this trade mark ensured a second fantastic goal from Rhys Linford. The ball was passed from defence to Jack Keeley who moved it out to Morris-Clarke who squared the ball across the park into the centre where Linford smashed it left side of the keeper. It deflected off the inside of the post and into the right side of the net – levelling the match once more – this time 3-3 and setting-up an anxious finale for the fans of both sides.
Alex Marshall, who had played really well for three-quarters of the game, making his presence felt in the centre of midfield, was swapped for Charles Dawson’s fresh legs. Chances went begging at both ends. Morris-Clarke ran the ball from the 18 yard box along the right touch-line, crossed the ball left to Borrett who in turn ran from the halfway line to the left corner, from where he placed a brilliant left foot cross to Linford who volleyed a right foot shot straight past the keeper bringing the score to 4-3 for the home-side.
The final five minutes was a furious battle – with pressure on Dorkinians and then on EG. Grinstead’s back-line, Chris Clarke, Noi Olafson, Sam Rantoul and James Charman held fast. Charman cleared what looked like a certain equaliser to prevent Old Dorkinians levelling once more. Ryan Scott, Marshall, (sub: Dawson) and Morris-Clarke across the midfield at times played thoughtfully and with intelligence. During the first half Jamie Parrot for the most part held his central role well – Poultney in goal made some great saves and Jack Keeley captained his team for the day – brilliantly.
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12s 5, Horsham Sparrows Under 12s 1 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s were hosts to Horsham Sparrows U12s at Mount Noddy Saturday November 19th. Despite a delayed start due to frost, both teams fought hard from the whistle in an effort to control the game and both teams had several chances earlier on. The breakthrough for Grinstead came after fifteen minutes – Joseph Morris-Clarke sprinted three-quarters the length of the pitch along the right wing and whipped in a perfectly placed ball which Miles Borrett brought under control with a deft first touch and with a second fired a shot low into the net. Wasps’ second goal came after the break from a well-worked move along the left wing with great finishing from Rhys Linford. With the score at 2-0, and for five minutes, Horsham took control putting great pressure on Grinstead and were rewarded with a well-earned goal bringing the score to 2-1. Although Horsham took courage and confidence from their goal, Grinstead re-asserted themselves with two more goals from Miles Borrett, completing his hat-trick, and another from Linford to bring the final score to 5-1. Ryan Scott would have finished off an excellent morning’s work with a truly magnificent ball from twenty-five yards out and from a difficult angle which looped beautifully over the stranded keeper into the top right side of the net. The goal was deemed offside – but nonetheless a cracking result for the home side.
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12's 1, Brockham Badgers Under 12's 3 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s were magnificent in defeat on Saturday November 12th. Despite losing 1-3 at home against Brockham Badgers (A) Wasps played magnificently against a team two divisions above them, and gave as good as they got. For every attack from Brockham, East Grinstead defended resiliently and fought back with courage to launch attack after attack providing many goal scoring opportunities. At the break the score was 1-1, and clearly Brockham were surprised by Grinstead’s team spirit, passing and movement. Wasps had as many chances to score but in the end – Brockham made sure two of theirs hit the back of the net to be sure of a place in the quarter finals of the Roffey Robbins Frank Giess Cup.
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| :: Forest Row Under 12's 3, East Grinstead Town Under 12's 1 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s provided Forest Row U12s with tough opposition in a closely contested game Saturday November 5th. The game was well-matched for effort and team spirit – often fought in midfield – at other times a furious end-to-end affair. During the first half and against the run of play, Forest Row found a lucky break waiting as a rare shot squeezed beneath Jordan Poultney, Wasps’ keeper. Forest Row’s second goal came from a re-taken penalty high into the right-hand side of the net. But despite trailing 2-0 away from home, EG Town’s Under 12s pressed hard and could have scored several times before the break. Forest Row scored a third shortly after play resumed with a strike fortuitously glancing the inside of the right-hand post. But still Wasps’ spirits remained high in a game in which their desire to win remained un-dented. Alas, this game of missed chances saw Ryan Scott, Rhys Linford, Miles Borrett, and midfielders, Alex Marshall and Joseph Morris-Clarke with great opportunities either saved or put just wide. Linford did manage however to get a goal back during the second half in what turned out to be an exciting enjoyable game.
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| :: Hailsham Town Under 12s 9, East Grinstead Town Under 12s 0 :: |
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East Grinstead Town's U12s visited Hailsham United with high expectations but returned home disappointed Sunday October 30th. In this inter-league second round cup game, the Wasps showed little of the fight and team work displayed in their last four competitive games. Conversely, United started on all cylinders scoring within seconds of the whistle leaving EG stunned as a first-class shot from the home side’s striker squeezed passed keeper Jordan Poultney’s left hand.
United had a second chance almost immediately with a cracking volley which fortunately skipped over the bar. EG countered with a shot from Rhys Linford, also over the bar, but continued poorly showing little connective play or communication. Wasps provided United with as much space and time as they needed to pass comfortable triangles around the pitch, which inevitably led to United breaking through to score a second goal within five minutes of their first.
Wasps’ Ryan Scott broke the run of play but wasted a shot directly at the opposition keeper. United had several corners eventually taking a 3-0 lead at the halfway point.
Within 30 seconds of the re-start, Hailsham scored their forth as EG showed little ambition to close down. Each break by United resulted in more goals and soon for Wasps the deficit was 5-0. For five minutes during the final quarter, Grinstead subs, Charles Dawson and Adam Bishop, injected something of a desire to score – yet solid attacking play offered only missed chances.
United countered with a sixth goal, followed by goals seven, eight and nine – as if only one team were on the field.
Wasps’ continued attempts to play through the centre, time and again, were met by a wall of green shirts. Substitute Dawson in midfield, as well as defender Noi Olafson, played well, both however with little support.
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| :: East Grinstead Town Under 12s 3, Upper Beeding Under 12s 2 :: |
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WASPS U12s made it four wins from four games Saturday Oct 15th. In this, Roffey Robins Frank Giess Cup first round game against Upper Beeding - a team sitting second in the division above – East Grinstead showed once more a gritty determination with a magnificent 3-2 home win. Ten minutes into the first half, against the run of play and following a crunching sliding tackle from an Upper Beeding player, the visitors took early lead. East Grinstead held their heads high and in common with recent weeks showed strength and courage through the mid-field and excellent movement along the wings. A number of excellent crosses and near misses finally saw a fabulous right foot shot into the left corner of the net after some great dribbling from Rhys Linford. Before the break Linford worked the ball out to Ryan Scott who, from an acute angle, delivered a perfectly placed ball into the lower left corner bringing the score to 2-1. After the break the home side’s spirits remained high despite many advances from the visitors chasing the elusive equaliser. Several well executes attacks saw a breakthrough for the visitors with a fantastic set of passes through the middle of the East Grinstead defence. But undeterred East Grinstead fought on and just five minutes from the final whistle, a great cross from Ryan Scott found the predatory Linford waiting to strike home the winner from the centre of the penalty box to the centre of the goal.
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| :: East Grinstead Town U12s 5, Billingshurst U12s 4 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U12s emerged embattled but victorious Saturday Oct 8th. Playing at home, a confident side settled quickly taking an early lead with a first class effort from the club’s leading goal scorer Rhys Linford. Fifteen minutes later, defensive errors gifted Billingshurst with an equaliser and once on level terms, the visitors surged forward cruising to a 3-1 lead. EGT fought hard to contain Billingshurst’s attacking play. Despite the earlier swing in fortunes, EGT began to find routes through the visitors’ defence nearly scoring several times. Sam Rintoul (Right-Back) made a thirty yard run, dropped the ball into the middle of the park, and sprinted along the left-wing - clean passing and movement throughout EGT’s mid-field, saw Sam re-appeared with the ball and drive a cracking right-foot shot across the keeper bringing the score to 3-2 before the break. The second-half was a furious affair seeing wave after wave of attacks from both teams. EGT’s solid defensive work, and a little luck, ultimately settled this game. Miles Borrett equalised with a superb left-foot shot and then moments later, EGT took the ascendancy with a 4-3 lead as Joseph Morris-Clarke provided a perfectly placed corner giving Borrett the opportunity to score his second with of a fabulous looping header over the keeper. Rhys Linford then scored his second bringing the score to 5-3. Billingshurst continued to press however, and scored their forth with only five minutes to go, leading to a frantic finale. Billingshurst came close to scoring three times in the final stages of the game and were denied a penalty. Excellent keeping from Jordan Poultney, combined with resilience and determination in defence, provided another three points and three wins in a row for EGT.
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| :: Barns Green Under 12's 1, East Grinstead Town Under 12's 8 :: |
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After a disappointing first game defeat 3-1 and a second game 8-2 victory, and experimenting with a 4-1-3-2 formation away to struggling Barns Green, EGT U12s, triumphed emphatically on Saturday Oct 1st. Christopher Clarke, who usually takes on a defensive role, was given responsibility for the left side of midfield. A role celebrated by team-mates, fans and coaches early in the game, when he scored his first club goal with a cracking right foot shot low across the goalkeeper. Within minutes, Reece Lindford made it two with his first goal of five in this game. Despite East Grinstead’s dominance, Barns Green found EGT’s defence napping and negotiated a way through to steel one back. Within five minutes however, Barns Green’s goalkeeper knocked a goal-kick directly into the path of Reece Lindford, who instinctively returned a magnificently placed volley into the net leaving the keeper stunned and stranded with hands on hips. Reece went on to score Grinstead’s forth, followed by Alex Marshall’s scramble on the line to make it five. Then came yet another from Reece, an excellent left-foot shot into the net from Miles Borrett, and finally a fifth from Lad of the Match Reece Lindford to bring the final score to 8-1. East Grinstead Town U12s have six points from three games and plenty in the tank for next week’s home encounter versus Billingshurst.
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