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Under 18 Team Match Reports
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Rydon Group - Main Sponsors of East Grinstead Town F.C.
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Click Here for the 2005/2006 season match reports!
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| :: East Grinstead Town 0, Salisbury City 2 :: |
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TWO goals in the last ten minutes brought an end to Wasps' FA Youth Cup run as Salisbury set up a Wiltshire derby in the second round proper with a win they deserved.
The game looked to be heading for extra time, especially when Salisbury lost midfielder Lewis Wyeth midway through the second half for two bookable offences.
But being reduced to ten men seemed to inspire the visitors and they went ahead in the 80th minute when skipper Joe Fisher powered home a header from a corner which went in off the underside of the bar.
Then with three minutes to go Adam Jones beat Dan Brisefer at his near post and a crowd of 257 - the biggest for any game at East Court this season - knew it was all over for Wasps.
They had their chances, particularly at the start of the second half.
Sean Leggett rattled the crossbar with a shot from 15 yards and then forced a full-length save from Salisbury goalkeeper Tom Clifton-Moore from a half-volley.
But the visitors were always a threat and they had arguably the game's best player in goalscorer Fisher.
The first half was pretty even. Jez Tobin had our best opportunity when he burst into space but fired a powerful shot wide. Michael Belli had a big influence on the match until he got a knock midway through the second half and the first goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Wasps, which was always going to be the case.
Both sides got a warm ovation at the end from an appreciative crowd. Disappointment for Grinstead but now, as the old adage goes, they can concentrate on the league!
Team - Dan Brisefer, Dan Snape, Miles Neville, Michael Belli, Marc Pelling (capt), Blair Cooney, Matthew Read, Jez Tobin, Zac De Cambre, Sean Leggett, Alex Thompson. Subs: Tom Pollard, Matthew Nottidge, Simon Walter, Sam Gunter and Scott Owens.
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| :: Westfield 0, East Grinstead Town 1 :: |
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WASPS' under-18s, sponsored by Azad, are the pride of youth football in East Grinstead after reaching the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup.
Until this season, Grinstead's youngsters had never won a match in the biggest competition in youth football.
But they have now battled through four qualifying rounds after booking their place alongside the youth teams of Football League clubs when they won 1-0 against Westfield at Cobham FC.
Having already beaten Horsham YMCA 4-1, Margate 3-1 and Chipstead 2-0, Grinstead were confident of claiming another scalp but they rarely produced the football they are capable of on a bumpy pitch.
After a scrappy, goalless first half Grinstead settled down to dominate the second half.
Winger Matt Read was denied by goalkeeper Sion Gallent in the 46th minute and Zac De Cambre side-footed a great chance wide after good work by Alex Thompson midway through the half.
But the deadlock was broken after 71 minutes when striker De Cambre made a great surge into the Westfield box. He was fouled by Jack Ottway but kept his feet and the referee, who was about to blow for a penalty, allowed De Cambre to go on and beat Gallent from an acute angle.
With Marc Pelling and Blair Cooney outstanding in the centre of Grinstead's defence the home side rarely threatened to equalise and there were joyous scenes at the end among the players and supporters.
Manager Phil Major said: "It was ironic that in the most important game we produced our poorest performance but I felt we did enough to win.
"It is a magnificent achievement for a club of our size to reach the first round proper, one of only two non-league clubs from Sussex to have got this far.
"It would have been nice to have drawn a league club in the first round but hosting Salisbury will still be a great occasion and there will be plenty of incentive because we will know who are second round opponents are by then.
"I would like to pay tribute to coach Gavin Neville and the players for what they have achieved but we certainly don't want this run to end there."
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| :: Horsham YMCA 2, East Grinstead Town 4 :: |
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Grinstead progressed a round in the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the club's history with an impressive 4-2 win over Horsham YMCA at Gorings Mead.
They will now make the trip to Margate on a date to be confirmed in the week beginning September 25.
YM, who like Grinstead play in the Southern Youth League, took the lead but Jez Tobin levelled six minutes before half-time. Tobin then made it 2-1 after 51 minutes when he looped a header from Alex Thompson's free-kick into the net.
Then two goals in three minutes made the tie safe. Substitute Simon Walter side-footed home after an unselfish run and pass by Matt Read and on 68 minutes Thompson beat the goalkeeper at his near post with a low drive.
Although YM pulled a goal back, Grinstead defended stoutly in the closing stages to complete an excellent victory.
It was an excellent team performance but Marc Pelling, in the heart of the defence, and midfield pair Michael Belli and two-goal Tobin stood out.
Congratulations to manager Phil Major, coach Gavin Neville and all the lads for their efforts. After a disappointing few days in the FA competitions, this was a great boost for club morale.
Roll on Margate!
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