THE veterans returned to winning ways in the Mid Sussex League when they came from behind to convincingly beat Plumpton.
The home side took an early lead after goalkeeper Gary Willsher brought down an opponent and was beaten by the subsequent penalty.
But Roger Dart soon equalised with a neat side-foot shot and Grinstead went in front when Steve Norris finished a powerful run with a cool finish.
Steve could have been celebrating again before half-time but his penalty was well saved after Alan Chambers’ excellent run was ended by a rash challenge.
Grinstead had to kick up the slight slope in the second half but they retained possession much better and soon began to find the gaps in a tiring Plumpton defence. The appearance of Bruce Talbot as a half-time substitute gave the opposition (and his team-mates) a big headache with his rampaging runs down the left. The less said about his ability in the air the better.
Dart got his second after a good move down the left involving, Norris raced through to round the keeper and score his second before Dart completed a fine hat-trick from midfield with a close range strike.
Phil Major’s hard work up front was rewarded when he swept in Dart’s cross to make it 6-1 and there was time for Plumpton to grab a late consolation.
Willsher did well to play on after suffering a whack on the knee midway through the second half although fortunately no lasting damage was done to his unfeasibly large gloves.
Grinstead were solid defensively, Alan Chambers had another fine game and the return of Guy Hill and Norris made an obvious difference to the side beaten in their previous game by Hurstpierpoint.
Team: Gary Willsher; Richard Goodwin (sub: Bruce Talbot 45), Rob Chart, Paul Wheeler, Antony Cadman; Piggy Coomber, Guy Hill, Roger Dart, Alan Chambers; Steve Norris, Phil Major.
THE veterans lost their first game of the season in the Mid Sussex League when they were beaten by two goals in the last ten minutes against Hurstpierpoint 12 days ago.
Manager Peter Cadman was without his regular central midfield pair of Steve Norris and the injured Guy Hill and they were badly missed as Hurst dominated midfield, particularly in the second half.
Neither side offered much of a threat until Bob Fletcher ghosted through their defence to give us the lead midway through the first half.
But an excellently-struck volley in first-half stoppage time, which gave goalkeeper Gary Willsher and his unfeasibly large gloves no chance, altered the complexion of the game.
Kicking into a freezing north wind in the second half, Grinstead rarely made much impression as an attacking force and Hurst had already his the underside of the bar when they struck those two late goals.
East Grinstead Town Vets maintained their 100% record when they defeated a plucky Village of Ditchling team. It was the visitors who struck first after 10 minutes to take a shock lead. However with the calming influence of Bruce Talbot at left back, that made sure that Wasps were not behind for very long. A goal from Phil Major followed by an excellent header from Rob Chart gave the home team the advantage at half time.
The second half saw acting Manager, Phil Cowlard, throw caution to the wind. He pushed Talbot into a more attacking role and the goals began to flow. Strong running from Steve Coomber, Alan Chambers and Guy Hill put the opposition on the back foot and there was good performances from Richard Goodwin, Lee Quinn and Guy Gentry. Roger Dart scored two goals, one of which was the goal of the match, and Bob Fletcher also scored two well taken goals. There was also further goals from Steve Norris and Major as the Town Vets ran riot. The midfield skills and piercing through balls of Martin Hill were a joy for the home crowd. With Bob Smith in commanding form at the back for Grinstead it was a comfortable day for Town keeper Gary Willsher.
Talbot could have capped a quite outstanding personal performance but his shot into an empty net from 6 yards squirmed agonisingly past the corner flag.
Squad : Willsher, Smith, Chart, Talbot, Chambers, Norris, Hill (G), Dart, Major, Coomber, Goodwin, Hill (M), Quinn, Fletcher and Gentry.
Second half goals from Paul Wheeler and Bobby Smith earned Wasps Vets a well deserved victory against Bolney Rovers tonight in their inaugral match. Andy Presland suffered an unfortunate injury after the first twenty minutes when he jumped for the ball and ruptured his achilles tendon. He was taken to hospital and later returned to the ground to watch part of the second half with his leg in plaster. We wish him a speedy recovery. A good few spectators came along to cheer on the newly formed vets, managed by Peter Cadman. Jamie MacDonald refereed the match, ably supported by his two assistants including Phil Cowlard who not surprisingly took a fair share of comments from the home crowd.
Despite this being their first ever match, Wasps passed the ball around well from the off. Bolney Rovers looked dangerous when they broke forward but Gary Wilsher in goal, was never really troubled, although he did anticipate well and came off his line spritely (much to his wife and daughter's surprise). Steve "Nobbo" Norris commanded the midfield and was brought down unceremoniously just outside the box when running through on goal early in the second half, when it looked as if he was odds on to score.
Paul Wheeler broke the deadlock half way through the second half with a header from a cross which he directed onto the ground (he insists he didn't mis-head it!) and past the keeper. This was followed by a nicely taken goal by Bobby Smith who proceeded to take his shirt off in celebration with the female spectators looking on in adoration of his physique (he wishes.....)
Team: Gary Wilsher, Andy Presland, Martyn Byrne, Bob Smith, Antony Cadman, Alan Chambers, Guy Hill, Steve Norris, Steve Coomber, Phil Major, Bob Fletcher, Subs (all used) Bob Chart, Brian McCorquodale, Paul Wheeler, Richard Goodwin, Alex Knott
East Grinstead Town Vets maintained their 100% record when they defeated a plucky Village of Ditchling team. It was the visitors who struck first after 10 minutes to take a shock lead. However with the calming influence of Bruce Talbot at left back, that made sure that Wasps were not behind for very long. A goal from Phil Major followed by an excellent header from Rob Chart gave the home team the advantage at half time.