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Under 18 Team Match Reports 2003/04 Season
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Rydon Group - Main Sponsors of East Grinstead Town F.C.
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- East Grinstead Town 3, Horsham YMCA 2
- East Grinstead Town 2, Leatherhead 0
- Cobham 3, East Grinstead Town 3
- East Grinstead Town 2, Horsham 2
- East Grinstead Town 2, Tooting & Mitcham 5
- East Grinstead Town 3, Chessington & Hook 1
- East Grinstead Town 4, Epsom & Ewell 3
- Three Bridges 2, East Grinstead Town 2
- South Park 1, East Grinstead Town 1
- East Grinstead Town 1, Crawley Town 2
- Tooting & Mitcham 2, East Grinstead Town 2
- Horley Town 1, East Grinstead Town 3
- Chessington & Hook 1, East Grinstead Town 3
- Leatherhead 7, East Grinstead Town 1
- Horsham YMCA 2, East Grinstead Town 2
- East Grinstead Town 3, Chertsey Town 1
- East Grinstead Town 0, Cobham 0
- East Grinstead Town 4, South Park 0
- Epsom & Ewell 4, East Grinstead Town 1
- East Grinstead Town 4, Horley Town 1
- Horsham 0, East Grinstead Town 3
- East Grinstead Town 0, Three Bridges 2
Click Here for the 2002/2003 season match reports!
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| :: East Grinstead Town 3, Horsham YMCA 2 :: |
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A narrow victory against league leaders Horsham YMCA moved East Grinsteadinto second place in the Southern Youth league.
Town have the clinical finishing of midfielder Adam New to thank for two first half goals in as many minutes on the half hour mark. An Adam Currier back
header allowed New to slot in his first and two minutes later Gary Wrights perfect pass enabled New to fire in his second.
YMCA came out fighting in the second half and immediately halved the two goal deficit. However, Town did not wilt under the pressure as they restored
their two goal lead when Chris Howson beat the visitors keeper from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
Horsham continued to pressurise the home sides resolute defence and on the few occasions when they managed to break through Towns brilliant goalkeeper
Darran O'Donovan denied them with a series of stunning saves until a well taken penalty by the visitors ensured a nervous last five minutes. Town now
finish their season against Crawley at Broadfield Stadium.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Pollard, Cobby, Phillips, New, Upton (Tiley), Clarke, Howson, Wright, Currier, sub not used: A.Brady
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| :: East Grinstead Town 2, Leatherhead 0 :: |
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East Grinstead consolidated third spot in the Southern Youth League with a hard fought win over fourth placed Leatherhead.
Following sustained Town pressure a wickedly in-swinging Tom Clarke corner forced a keeper and defender mix up that resulted in the ball ricocheting into
the visitors goal. Gary Wright and Adam New with an impressive contribution of skill and work rate in midfield kept Leatherhead at bay as they probed for
an equaliser. With half-time approaching a typical James Upton defence splitting pass enabled striker Adam Currier to score his twelfth goal in as many
games to put Town 2-0 up at half time.
After the restart Leatherhead fought back but Grinsteads resolute defence of Pollard, Cobby, Phillips and Beal stubbornly held firm against the
onslaught. With ten minutes remaining Leatherhead thought that they had finally broken through Towns defences with a powerful strike on goal but Towns
goalkeeper Darran O'Donovan acrobatically saved to cap an outstanding nights performance by himself and his team mates.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Pollard, Cobby, Phillips, New, Upton, Clarke, Wright, Currier, Tavener (Goodwin) sub not used: Lancashire
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| :: Cobham 3, East Grinstead Town 3 :: |
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An away draw saw Town maintain their third position in the Southern Youth league with three games to go. If ever there was a clash of two teams with
completely contrasting styles then this was it. Grinstead endeavoured to play their passing game whilst Cobham preferred the direct long ball approach.
This led to a disjointed first half with chances few and far between as both sides tried unsuccessfully to impose their style of football.
From a dire goalless first half the game sprung into life in the second half with six goals in quick succession. Cobham struck the first blow as they
breached Towns defence to open the scoring. Grinstead replied four minutes later when a perfect Tom Beal cross was fired home by striker Adam Currier.
Cobham regained the lead on their next attack as Town failed to clear a corner. This time it took six minutes for Towns equaliser as Ben Pollard passed
to James Upton who crossed for man-of-the-match Currier to head home. Three minutes later Cobham were in the lead for the third time but Curriers
immediate response was to complete his hat-trick with a powerful low shot from the edge of the area. Battling Grinstead were then unlucky not to grab a
winner with two further opportunities late in the game.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Wright, Cobby, Pollard (Phillips), Tavener, Upton, New, Howson, Tiley, Currier, sub not used: Merrick
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| :: East Grinstead Town 2, Horsham 2 :: |
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The visitors could not believe their luck as Grinstead gifted them a soft goal in the first minute of this Southern
Youth League match. Horsham could easily have added to this great start with another couple of close efforts.
Eventually the home side got going and started to play some good controlled football. Tom Clarke and James Upton
gradually won control of the midfield to enable Grinstead to create a number of chances of their own. From one of
these chances Grinstead equalised when, from a flowing move involving Adam Tiley and Gary Wright, Dan Tavener
clinically finished from the edge of the penalty area.
The second half was a fairly even contest but with Grinstead creating the better chances. Wright and Chris Howson
both missed headers from close range and Adam Currier saw his powerful shot tipped over by the Horsham keeper.
Inexplicably the visitors keeper then fouled Tiley off of the ball to present Grinstead with a soft penalty which
Wright gratefully smacked in. Towards the end and against the run of play Horsham took advantage of some slack
defensive marking from a corner to fire home the equaliser from close range.
Team: Merrick, Beal (Pollard), Lancashire (Currier), Cobby, Phillips, Tavener (New), Upton, Clarke, Howson,
Wright, Tiley sub not used: O'Donovan
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| :: East Grinstead Town 2, Tooting & Mitcham 5 :: |
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There was no shame as Town bowed out of the Southern Youth League Cup to a very talented Tooting and Mitcham side in
this cup replay.
Town looked sharper in the opening exchanges when first striker Adam Tiley slipped when facing an open goal but he
soon made amends with a clinical finish shortly afterwards. The home side were matching their illustrious opponents
until a five minute lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to score twice to take the lead at half time.
The second half saw Town take the game to Tooting in search of an equaliser but they were caught on the counter
attack. To the homes sides credit they never gave up and created a number of chances notably from Tom Clarke and
Gary Wright. Eventually from a goalmouth scramble Towns Adam Currier headed in to make it 3-2. Town again pressed
for an equaliser but were denied by an in-form Tooting goalkeeper. Towards the end Tootings quality shone through
as they scored from a free kick and then from a penalty in the dying seconds.
Team: O'Donovan, Howson(Beal), Turville, Cobby, Phillips(Pollard), New, Upton, Wright, Clarke, Currier, Tiley
sub not used: Merrick
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| :: East Grinstead Town 3, Chessington & Hook 1 :: |
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Town maintained third spot in the Southern Youth league with this victory over bottom club Chessington & Hook.
After a few early chances went begging, a neat through ball from Grinsteads midfielder Dan Taverner freed stiker
Adam Tiley to clinically slot home the opening goal. Chessington then had their best spell of the match which led to
them forcing Town into an error from which they grabbed their equaliser. Grinstead quickly responded to restore
their lead when a well worked short corner between Tom Clarke and Andrew Brady allowed Clarke to fire home.
The second half saw the home side always in control without ever really getting into top gear. The two notable
incidents were a long range strike cannoning off the bar from Towns James Upton and a Clarke free kick which
somehow eluded defenders and goalkeeper alike to softly nestle in the corner of the net.
Team: Merrick, Howson, Turville, Cobby, Phillips (Pollard), Tavener, Upton, Brady, Clarke, Currier, Tiley sub
not used: O'Donovan
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| :: East Grinstead Town 4, Epsom & Ewell 3 :: |
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East Grinstead surged past their opponents into third place in the Southern Youth League with this narrow victory.
After an enforced four week break East Grinstead were understandably off the pace in the first twenty minutes, which
a much sharper Epsom & Ewell side capitalised on with two well taken goals. Grinstead gradually fought their way
back into the game, which was typified by Tom Clarke winning the ball in midfield, then passing wide to Adam Tiley,
whose perfect cross was met by top scorer Adam Currier who fired home. The sides went in at half time level when a
low Dan Tavener free kick was dummied by Tiley, which allowed a simple tap in for Clarke.
Grinstead continued to improve in the second half and took the lead from another Tavener free kick which was flicked
on by Currier to Adam New, who headed in at the far post. The visitors responded with some pressure of their own
which was rewarded with a headed equaliser from a corner. With just five minutes remaining and the game heading for
a draw, a neat through ball from Andrew Brady enabled Clarke to coolly slot home the winner.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal(Howson), Turville, Cobby, Phillips, Tavener, Upton(Brady), New, Clarke, Currier, Tiley
(Wright) sub not used: Pollard
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| :: Three Bridges 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: |
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A superb battling performance saw East Grinstead take a valuable point from unbeaten league leaders Three Bridges
in this Southern Youth League fixture. However, it was the home side who opened the scoring after only ten minutes
with a clinical finish from the edge of the area.
Two minutes later Grinstead were back on level terms when in-form striker Adam Currier netted his sixth goal in as
many games. Grinsteads continuous attacking play was rewarded again mid-way through the half when Adam Tiley latched
onto an accurate Tom Clarke through ball to round the keeper and put the visitors ahead.
The second period was also very even with both sides going close to scoring. Grinsteads defence were outstanding,
especially Gary Wright who had filled in as sweeper due to Michael Turvilles late withdrawal through illness.
With just fifteen minutes remaining Bridges got a fortunate break to equalise. East Grinstead somehow managed to
step up the tempo again as they tried to go all out for the winner. But there was to be no glory finish as first
Dan Taverner was denied by a desperate goal line clearance, then Adam New brought out a stunning save from the Three
Bridges keeper, and finally Tiley hit the inside of the post after rounding the keeper.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Wright, Cobby, Pollard (Phillips), Taverner, Upton, Clarke, Howson (New), Currier, Tiley
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| :: South Park 1, East Grinstead Town 1 :: |
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East Grinstead created very few chances in a half which saw South Park take the lead 30 minutes into the game, with
the help of a dreadful bobble which totally threw Grinstead's defence. During the half time interval Grinstead's
keeper Tim Merrick had to be replaced by Darran O'Donovan due to an ankle injury he sustained in the first half.
Grinstead came out for the second half more determined and this pressure eventually told when a South Park defender
brought down Tom Clarke leaving the referee no option than to award a penalty. Dan Tavener took the resulting
penalty only for the South Park keeper to make an excellent save. Grinstead then piled on even more pressure making
it very difficult for the home team to get out of their own half.
The referee awarded another penalty which Adam Currier blasted home. The game ended 1 - 1 with Grinstead coming away
feeling disappointed not to have claimed all three points.
Squad: Merrick, (O'Donovan), Pollard, Cobby, Turville, Beal, Howson, Tavener, New (Brady), Clarke, Tiley,
Currier. Subs not used: Upton,Phillips.
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| :: East Grinstead Town 1, Crawley Town 2 :: |
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Only poor finishing by Grinstead enabled Crawley to gain an unlikely win in this Southern Youth League match.
Crawley, who are due to play Arsenal in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, started the brighter of the two sides.
However, it was the home side who took the lead when Adam Currier headed in a long throw from James Upton just
before half time.
Grinstead dominated the second half with some neat midfield play from Tom Clarke, Dan Tavener, and Chris Howson. The
only worry was that the home sides dominance was not converted into goals with a number of chances going begging.
This cause for concern was justified when Crawley equalised on a rare attack. With both teams going for the winner
it again was the visitors clinical finishing that was the difference between the two sides when they scored a late
winner.
Team: Merrick, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Pollard (Phillips), Tavener, Upton (New), Clarke, Howson (Sillitoe),
Currier, Tiley
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| :: Tooting & Mitcham 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: |
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East Grinstead's youth team were just three minutes away from a famous Southern Youth League Cup second round
victory against illustrious opponents Tooting and Mitcham last Monday evening. However, the match had started badly
for Grinstead when they conceded a goal in the first minute. They responded well from this early setback and were
on top for the rest of the first half. Ten minutes before the break a well worked short corner between Gary Wright
and Tom Clarke resulted in Clarke blasting in the equaliser. A few minutes later a goalmouth scramble from another
Grinstead corner saw James Upton react quickest to smash in from close range.
Tooting and Mitcham gained the upper hand in the second half as they went after the equaliser. There was some
desperate 'backs to the wall' defending by the back four of Tom Beal, Dom Cobby, Michael Turville, and Dave
Phillips. Grinstead keeper Tim Merrick also pitched in with an outstanding performance. Just when it looked as
though the visitors were going to hang on, a corner was headed in for Tootings late equaliser. There was no extra
time played as the match had to then be abandoned due to the thickening foggy conditions.
Team: Merrick, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Phillips (Pollard), Wright (New), Upton, Clarke, Howson, Leatherdale,
Tiley (Currier)
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| :: Horley Town 1, East Grinstead Town 3 :: |
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East Grinstead's youth team notched up their fifth league win to take them up to second place in the Southern Youth
League. Playing some of their best football of the season they swamped Horley early on. Grinstead had squandered a
number of chances to go ahead when eventually Adam Currier latched onto a through ball from Dan Taverner and struck
a screamer into the top corner. To show it was no fluke, two minutes later Currier repeated his impressive finish
from a precision pass by silky skilled midfielder James Upton.
In the second half the visitors had the game under control. The expected third goal eventually came when Adam New
played a pin-point pass into the path of Gary Wright who rounded the Horley keeper before coolly side footing home.
The home side scored a consolation goal in the last minute. This week sees East Grinstead travel to Tooting and
Mitcham in the second round of the league cup.
Team: Merrick, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Phillips (Pollard), Taverner (New), Upton, Clarke, Howson, Leatherdale,
Currier (Wright)
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| :: Chessington & Hook 1, East Grinstead Town 3 :: |
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Town got off to a great start when after only four minutes Tom Beal floated over one of his speciality free kicks
for Adam Currier to deftly flick in at the near post. Town then continued to dominate their hosts with some neat
passing football. Chessington began to get back into the game and on twenty five minutes their striker struck a 20
yard shot into the top corner. This set back fired Town up further and after a mazy run by Jordan Leatherdale that
beat 3 home defenders fellow striker Adam Tiley was on hand to fire low into the net. Shortly afterwards
Leatherdale had a penalty superbly saved by the Chessington keeper.
The second half saw Town continue to press for the third goal with a string of near misses including Tiley hitting
the inside of the post with a powerful drive. Chessingtons best chance came from a well struck free kick that
debutant goalkeeper Tim Merrick tipped over the bar. Town had to wait until two minutes from time to seal the match
when an accurate cross from Tom Clarke was firmly headed home by midfielder Chris Howson.
Team: Merrick, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Phillips (Pollard), Taverner (New), Upton, Howson, Leatherdale, Tiley,
Currier (Clarke)
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| :: Leatherhead 7, East Grinstead Town 1 :: |
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Grinstead had one of those matches when it all goes wrong. They played poorly, had some misfortune, and met a team
in a rich vein of form. Leatherhead attacked from the start and after a few near misses opened the scoring on 35
minutes after a mix up in the visitors defence. Just before half time a further lack of concentration saw the
visitors two down.
Grinstead started brightly in the second half and deservedly pulled a goal back from a Tom Clarke free kick. The
match was then very even for a long period until another Grinstead error let in a Leatherhead striker to make it
3-1. Grinsteads keeper Darran O'Donovan was then injured in a freak accident but his braveness in insisting he could
carry on was misplaced as he let in two soft goals in the space of three minutes. Dom Cobby from the heart of
Grinsteads defence volunteered to keep goal but was not well protected by a now weakened and demoralised defence.
Two further goals by a now rampant Leatherhead side completed the miserable evening for Grinstead.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Denver (Phillips), Sillitoe, Upton (Brady), Clarke, Howson, Leatherdale,
Taverner(Currier)
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| :: Horsham YMCA 2, East Grinstead Town 2 :: |
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East Grinstead Town ended Horsham YMCAs 100% winning run this season with this gutsy away performance. Having
weathered the early storm the visitors began to create a few openings themselves with first Chris Howson and then
Tom Beal going close.
However, a momentary lapse in concentration allowed a Horsham striker to find space to open the scoring. Town
battled back and just before half time won a penalty when lively striker Adam Tiley was brought down in the area.
Tom Clarkes spot kick was parried by the keeper but debutant striker Dan Taverner was quickest to react to fire home
the rebound.
The second half saw Town fall behind again from a well struck shot on the turn from the edge of the area. Grinstead
continued to press forward in search of the equaliser but had to wait until the final minutes for their reward.
James Upton won the ball in midfield and laid it into the path of Clarke whose powerful swerving strike deceived
the Horsham keeper. Town should have got the winner in injury time as a low cross from Clarke somehow missed
everyone as it bobbled across the face of the Horsham goal.
Team: Donovan, Beal(Phillips), Turville, Cobby, Denver(Brady), Sillitoe, Clarke, Currier(Upton), Howson, Taverner,
Tiley(Currier)
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| :: East Grinstead Town 3, Chertsey Town 1 :: |
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Seventeen year old Jordan Leatherdale showed why he is rated as one of the best local young strikers with a
stunning hat-trick in this Southern Youth League Challenge Cup first round tie.
Although the home side were under intense early pressure it was Town who scored against the run of play with a
lightning counter attack. Danny Sillitoes perfect pass down the right wing enabled Adam Tiley to whip over a first
time cross that Leatherdale volleyed home. The visitors reacted badly to this surprise set back and lost their
discipline for a while.
However, after half time Grinstead continued to concentrate on their football, and how it paid off. A goal kick from
keeper Darran O'Donovan was deftly headed on by Adam Currier for James Upton to surge from midfield and fire in a
pin point cross that enabled ex-Crystal Palace triallist Leatherdale to volley his second goal of the night. Ten
minutes later Leatherdale delighted the large home crowd when he broke free and chipped the Chertsey keeper from 25
yards. In the dying minutes the visitors scrambled a consolation goal with a close range header. Grinsteads
defender Dom Cobby and midfielder Tom Clarke are worthy of mention for their outstanding performances throughout the
whole match.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Denver (Phillips), Sillitoe, Clarke, Upton, Howson, Leatherdale, Tiley
(Currier) sub not used: Merrick
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| :: East Grinstead Town 0, Cobham 0 :: |
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Town were frustrated not to take all three points in this Southern Youth League encounter, as they played well, but
found it difficult to breach the visitors solid defence. Grinsteads tricky midfielder, Gary Wright, provided some
dangerous crosses from the right wing, but his forwards could not find the space to break free and score. Cobham
then gradually got into the game but the home defence limited them to only long range efforts.
In the second half Town stepped up the pressure which resulted in a number of goal attempts.
First Tom Clarke hit a powerful shot that unfortunately flew straight into the keepers arms. Then strikers Jordan
Leatherdale and Adam Currier had efforts saved. Finally striker Adam Tiley broke clear in the penalty area, but saw
his well struck shot deflected round the post by the Cobham keepers outstretched foot. A frustrating night for East
Grinstead, but it could have been worse as their keeper Darran O'Donovan had to fingertip a shot onto the cross bar
in the dying minutes.
Next home game is against Chertsey Town on Wednesday 8th October at East Court (EGTFC) 7:30pm KO
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Denver (Corke), Wright (Sillitoe), Clarke, Upton, Howson, Leatherdale,
Currier(Tiley)
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| :: East Grinstead Town 4, South Park 0 :: |
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Merstham based South Park met a highly motivated home side in this Southern Youth League encounter. East Grinsteads
early dominance was mainly due to the quality of the midfield quartet of Chris Howson, Danny Sillitoe, Tom Clarke,
and in particular James Upton. Town eventually opened the scoring on the half hour mark when a Tom Beal cross was
laid back by the lively Adam Tiley into the path of Upton, who beat a defender and fired his shot through the
keepers legs.
South Park came out more determined in the second half and for a fifteen minute spell pressurised the home defence
but could not break through the resolute central defensive partnership of Dom Cobby and Michael Turville. At the
other end Adam Curriers scorching shot hit the post so hard that it rattled the whole goal. A few minutes later
Currier released Jordan Leatherdale to side foot home Towns second and effectively finish the contest. The
demoralised visitors were now easily opened up and from a well rehearsed short corner Clarke fired in the third. In
the last minute a Simon Corke surge into the penalty area, and deft pass, enabled Howson to tap in from close range
to complete the rout.
Next home game is against Oakwood on Wednesday 24th September at East Court (EGTFC) 7:30pm KO
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Denver (Phillips), Sillitoe (Corke), Clarke, Upton, Howson, Leatherdale,
Tiley (Currier), subs (not used): Wright, Brady
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| :: Epsom & Ewell 4, East Grinstead Town 1 :: |
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Grinstead started brightly and shortly after a near miss from Chris Howson striker Adam Currier flicked a header on
for Jordan Leatherdale to smash in the opening goal. The match became very even for a spell until Grinstead pressed
the self destruct button. Over an eight minute period two defensive errors and an own goal saw Grinstead go 3-1
down.
After half time the match was again very even. This time Grinstead were rocked by a spectacular volleyed goal by a
Leatherhead striker from the edge of the penalty area that effectively sealed the match. To Grinstead's credit they
never gave up and created at least five good chances, which, on another day would have seen them salvage something
from the match.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal (Corke), Turville, Cobby, Denver (Phillips), Sillitoe, Brady, Clarke, Howson, Leatherdale,
Currier (Tiley) sub not used: Upton
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| :: East Grinstead Town 4, Horley Town 1 :: |
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Anyone witnessing only the first twenty minutes of this match would have been surprised at the final scoreline as
Grinstead started poorly. They were deservedly punished when Horley took the lead early on from a neat near post
header. Eventually the home side began to claw their way back into the match and it was only the visitors
outstanding goalkeeper who kept Grinstead at bay. First Jordan Leatherdale had a viciously struck free kick saved,
and then Michael Turville suffered the same fate with his dead ball effort. Just before half time a long throw from
Grinstead's James Upton, was flicked on by Adam Tiley, for Chris Howson to sweep the ball in at the far post for the
equaliser.
The second half saw a more determined Grinstead begin to open up the Horley defence with some better quality
football. Striker Adam Currier went close with a long range stinging shot, before Leatherdale latched onto an inch
perfect through ball from Upton to lob the keeper. Two minutes later Currier got the home sides third with a
powerful header. Tom Clarke then popped up in the penalty area to lash in the fourth, to complete a glorious ten
minute spell for the home side. Although early days in the season, this result elevated East Grinstead Town to the
top of the Southern Youth League.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Denver, Sillitoe, Brady, Upton, Howson, Leatherdale, Tiley
Subs (all used): Clarke, Currier, Phillips
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| :: Horsham 0, East Grinstead Town 3 :: |
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After a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Three Bridges in their opening Southern Youth League fixture, East Grinstead
Town's Youth team were pleased to notch up their first league win at Horsham.
Town started much brighter in this match than in the previous game, and a fairly even start saw both teams create
early half chances. Towns striker Jordan Leatherdale went close with a vicious left foot strike, whilst defenders
Aaron Denver and Dom Cobby did well to restrict the lively Horsham forwards.
Mid way through the first half Grinstead got a slice of luck to break the deadlock, as a powerful low cross from
midfielder Gary Wright was deflected into the Horsham goal by a defender. Town seemed to gain in confidence from
their good fortune as midfielders Danny Sillitoe and Andrew Brady began to impress with accurate passes that kept
opening up the Horsham defence.
Grinstead continued their high work rate in the second half as they searched for the second goal. It eventually came
after a Turville free kick fell to the feet of James Upton who coolly slotted past the on rushing keeper. Horsham
continued to make a game of it, until another perfectly delivered free kick, this time from left back Tom Beal, was
tapped in by Wright at the far post to secure the victory East Grinstead deserved.
Team: O'Donovan, Beal, Turville, Cobby, Denver, Sillitoe, Brady, Upton, Wright, Leatherdale, Tiley
Subs (all used): Clarke, Currier, Phillips
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| :: East Grinstead Town 0, Three Bridges 2 :: |
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Grinstead opened their Southern Youth League campaign with disappointment at East Court in front of a large home
crowd. The more experienced Three Bridges team took advantage of a slow start by the home side to dominate the early
stages. A number of good saves by keeper Darran O'Donovan, backed up by some desperate defending at times, by Simon
Corke and Ben Pollard in particular, kept the scoreline level for the first half hour.
However, it was only a matter of time before Bridges took the lead, and they did so with a near post header from
close range. This set back spurred Grinstead into life, and they began to create some half chances of their own.
Just before half time a goal mouth scramble saw Adam Tiley's, and then Tom Clarke's, shots blocked on the line.
Although starting slow again in the second half Grinstead gradually got more and more into the match as the game
wore on. Striker Jordan Leatherdale almost equalised mid-way through the half, but a stunning save from the visitors
keeper denied him the goal the team deserved. As time was running out, Town pushed forward in an attempt to get
something from the match which led to them being caught on the break. With two minutes remaining a Three Bridges
striker sealed the match with a powerful strike from just inside the penalty area.
Some valuable lessons were learned by the East Grinstead Town youth team from their first competitive match
together. However, if the improvement that was shown over the course of the match continues over the season, then
this squad of players should have much better days this season.
Team: O'Donovan, Corke, Turville, Denver, Pollard, Sillitoe(Bewley), Brady, Upton, Clarke(Beal), Leatherdale,
Tiley, subs (not used): Clapinson,Phillips
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