East Grinstead Town v Cray Valley PM 28 Feb

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

TheOHOBCommunityStadium|College Lane|EastGrinsteadRH193LS

Telephone : Website : 01342325885

www.egtfc.co.uk

STAFF DIRECTORY

Chairman & Treasurer: Richard Tramontin

Vice Chairman & Secretary: Brian McCorquodale

Safety Officer: Barry Bryant

Media Manager: Bruce Talbot

Bar Manager & Webmaster: Stuart Gibson

First Team Manager: Drew Cooney

U23s Joint Managers: Andy Willis Grant Hearn

U18s Manager: Jay De Vito

Player Representative: Drew Cooney

Facilities Manager & Head of Youth

Development: Andy Willis

WELCOME TO EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN

Good evening and welcome to everyone who has made the trip from south-east London (or north-west Kent) in support of our visitors. Well, Saturday's result and performance was a bit of a shock. Our heaviest defeat of the season and not much to write home about. To be fair, it's surprising that Burgess Hill have struggled this season given that they have a 24-goal striker in Dan Perry. They looked a decent outfit but we are undoubtedly capable of a lot better.

We're still without the suspended Harrison Parker and Glenn Wilson is still not fit and without them we look a bit more shaky at the back. Hopefully they will return on Saturday at Sheppey. In the meantime I'm sure Drew will get a response tonight and we'll see a much better display. C'mon the Wasps!

LEAGUE DIVISION TABLE | 22 - 23

4Whitehawk27147647242349

5Ashford United29138848341447

6Sevenoaks Town28145944321247

ROLL OF HONOUR

SUSSEXCOUNTYLEAGUE:

DivisionTwochampions2007–08

BaldwinCupwinners1951–52

MID-SUSSEXLEAGUE:

Champions1901–02,1936–37

MontgomeryCupwinners1911–12,1912–13

SOUTHERNAMATEURLEAGUE:

DivisionThreechampions1931–32

SUSSEXRURCUP:

Winners2003–04

RECORDATTENDANCE

2006vLancing-FAAmateurCup,1947

Round–17thJanuary2015 www.egtfc.co.uk

7Hythe Town2813693228445

8Cray Valley PM27127845291643

9Chichester City27111063931843

10Sheppey United2812794842643

11Littlehampton Town28106123742-536

12East Grinstead Town27104132939-1034

17Burgess Hill Town2888124042-232

13Lancing2995153751-1432

15Three Bridges2687113943-431

14VCD Athletic2987143552-1731

16Sittingbourne2879123143-330

18Haywards Heath Town2878133657-2129

19Corinthian2847172243-2119

20Faversham Town2946193165-3418

Up to and including February 25

East Grinstead Town FC is a verified Community Amateur Sports Club.

Who We Are

MANAGER’S NOTES

We welcome everyone back for tonight’s tough game against Cray Valley.

Firstly, I’d like to apologies to the fans that were here for Saturday’s home game against Burgess Hill. That kind of performance cannot and will not be tolerated. I will always have the lads’ back after any criticism, but Saturday was one of the worst points for me personally since I took the job on.

As I said in my last programme notes we have had a really tough long month with eight games, not helped by 3-4 injuries and a suspension.

But I cannot defend that kind of performance.

The information we gave the lads before the match pretty much unfolded in front of us in the dugout. We said don’t concede needless free-kicks or corners and we conceded three goals from set pieces. We have to do better and I am confident the players will respond positively.

We have the opportunity to put Saturday right with tonight’s game, but this will be a very tough 90 minutes, not helped by having Glenn Wilson and Harrison Parker from our defence, which is massive for us.

The lads that step in need to be up for the battle as we look to go into March with as many points on the board as possible before what will be a very testing month.

We thank you as ever for all your support and ask that you all stick by the lads.

Drew

DREW COONEY

Photo courtesy of Stuart Gibson

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good evening everyone and welcome to The OHOB Community Stadium for today’s Isthmian League South East Division match against Cray Valley PM.

We extend a warm welcome to Tommy Osborne, his players and staff, the Millers’ officials and supporters, as well as to this evening’s referee Steven Scott and his assistants Philip Jones and Matt Leaning. We trust you all enjoy your short stay and our hospitality.

The Millers beat Lancing on Saturday which was their first win after seven matches which surprisingly saw them lose six and draw one. Despite that bad run, they are still in eighth spot with 43 points from 27 matches, just four points and three places below the play-off places with games in hand.

We last played Cray in the second match of the season at The Artic Stadium which ended 1-0 to the home side. Drew and the lads will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s win here at East Court also on a Tuesday evening which ended 5-3 to the Wasps.

After an unbeaten run of five matches including three wins, we have lost the last two gamesaway to Sittingbourne and a home loss to Burgess Hill on Saturday which must rank as our worst performance of the season. I know that really hurt the players as well as all our supporters so the lads will be determined to make amends tonight. Unfortunately, Harrison Parker serves the first of his two match ban tonight for his red card when conceding a penalty in the Sittingbourne match.

Wasps remain twelfth on 34 points after 27 matches, 13 points below the play-offs with 2 games in hand and 15 points above the relegation places with a game in hand. We are 4 and 5 points respectively above Sittingbourne and Haywards Heath who occupy the two potential relegation play-off

places with tonight’s match being our game in hand over both. A win tonight, would see us go above Littlehampton.

We make our first ever trip to Sheppey Untied on Saturday who are playing at Three Bridges tonight. We are back here again next Tuesday against Hythe Town which will be the last of five consecutive Tuesday night matches.

On Thursday, our Under 23s are here at home against Bexhill United in the quarter finals of the Sussex Under 23s County Cup (ko 7.30pm). Your support would be most welcome. The winners will play either Hastings United or Broadbridge Heath.

Whatever the outcome of this evening’s match, I trust everyone enjoys their visit to The OHOB Community Stadium and I wish you all a safe journey home.

Enjoy the match

Richard Tramontin (Chairman)

Photo courtesy of Stuart Gibson

FIXTURES & RESULTS

AUGUST

06-Aug-Hollands & BlairHFACupe1431-0PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinGreenWilsonDaniel 1BriggsCornwellUchechiM.WalshAndersonCascoe-Newman

13-Aug-2022Chatham TownHPISEdiv2161-0PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDanielBriggsAnderson 1CornwellM.WalshUchechiPeranaPreece-Placid

16-Aug-2022Cray ValleyAPISEdiv900-1PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDanielBriggsAndersonUchechiPrice-PlacidCornwellM.WalshAbie

20-Aug-2022LancingAFACupp1474-1PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDaniel 2BriggsCornwellUchechi 1Anderson 1M.WalshClarkePreece-Placid

27-Aug-2022Ashford UnitedAPISEdiv2862-2PiersonClarkeStrakerPeranaParkerWilsonPrice-PlacidBriggsCornwellUchechiM.WalshDaniel 1Abie 1Folkes

29-Aug-2022Haywards Heath TownHPISEdiv2702-1PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDaniel 1BriggsCornwellUchechiAnderson 1FoakesM.WalshPrice-Placid

SEPTEMBER

03-Sep-Beckenham TownHFACup12452-2PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDaniel 1BriggsCornwellUchechiAnderson 1FoakesPrice-PlacidCascoe-

06-Sep-Beckenham TownAFACup11981-3PiersonClarkeStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonPrice-PlacidBriggsFolkesAbleM.WalshDaniel 1

13-Sep-2022WroxhamAFAT1q1311-4PiersonF.WalshClarkeUnwinCooneyWilsonDaniel 1BriggsAndersonM. WalshPrice-PlacidCascoe-Abie

17-Sep-2022Sheppey UnitedHPISEdiv2360-1PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonPrice-PlacidBriggsCornwellUchechiAndersonM.WalshFolkesPerana

OCTOBER

01/10/22Burgess Hill TownAPISEdiv4530-1PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDanielBriggsCornwellUchechiAndersonPrice-PlacidPeranaM.Walsh

08-Oct-2022LancingHPISEdiv2372-0PiersonF.WalshStrakerPeranaParkerWilsonDaniel 1Briggs 1CornwellPrice-PlacidM.WalshA.ClarkeAndersonAbie

11-Oct-2022Three BridgesAPISEdiv1493-2PiersonF.WalshStrakerPeranaParkerWilsonDanielBriggs 1AndersonPrice-PlacidM.WalshCornwellClarkeUnwin

15-Oct-2022RamsgateHPISEdiv2 0 11-3PiersonF.WalshM.WalshPeranaParkerWilsonDanielBriggsAnderson 1CornwellPrice-PlacidUchechiUnwinSargent

18-Oct-2022LeatherheadHVT11191-1PiersonClarkeM.WalshUnwinParkerGarnerEverettAbieFolkesCascoe-NewmanPrice-PlacidWilliamsAkabuoguBuchananSargent 22/10/22WhitehawkAPISEdiv3510-2PiersonF.WalshStrakerPeranaParkerWilsonCornwellBriggsAndersonDanielM.WalshEverittPrice-PlacidCascoe29/10/22Littlehampton TownHPISEdiv1850-1PiersonGarnerStrakerPeranaParkerWilsonDanielBriggsAndersonUchechiM.WalshF.WalshFolkesEverett

NOVEMBER

O5/11/22Faversham TownAPISEdiv2 6 11-3PiersonF.WalshStrakerM.WalshParkerWilsonDanielBriggsAnderson 1UchechiPrice-PlacidEverettUnwinCornwell

12-NovSevenoaks TownHPISEdiv2323-0PiersonF.WalshStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDaniel 1NewmanAnderson 1UchechiBriggsEverettWilliams 1

19/11/22CorinthianAPISEdiv1121-1PiersonF.WalshM.WalshUnwinParkerWilsonDanielEverettWilliams 1UchechiAndersonBriggsFolkes

26-NovVCD AthleticAPISEdiv954-3ParkerSavaneStrakerUnwinPeranaWilson 1EverettBriggs 1Williams 1AndersonM.Walsh 1Folkes 1UchechiAbie

DECEMBER

03/12/22Beckenham TownHPISEdiv1820-2PiersonSavaneStrakerM.WalshPeranaWilsonEverettBriggsAndersonUchechiWilliamsParkerFolkesDaniel

26/12/22Haywards Heath TownAPISEdiv3480-2PiersonSavaneStrakerUnwinParkerWilsonDanielBriggsWilliamsGreenwoodM.WalshUchechiAndersonFolkes

JANUARY

02/01/23Chichester CityHPISEdiv2123-2PiersonParkerStrakerM.WalshGreen 1WilsonGreenwoodBriggsAndersonUchechiDaniel 1UnwinFolkesWilliams 1

07/01/23Chatham TownAPISEdiv6820-1PiersonSavaneParkerUnwinGreenWilsonDanielGreenwoodWilliamsUchechiM.WalshBriggsAndersonStraker

28/01/23Sevenoaks TownAPISEdiv1711-3PiersonParkerStrakerUnwinGreenWilsonDaniel 1GreenwoodWilliamsM.WalshBriggsAndersonUchechi

FEBRUARY

04/02/23CorinthianHPISEdiv1521-0PiersonBriggsUnwinParkerGreenWilsonAndersonGreenwood 1WilliamsUchechiM.WalshStrakerLawrenceDaniel

07/02/23Faversham TownHPISEdiv1051-0PiersonSavaneStrakerParkerGreenWilsonUnwinAbieDanielGreenwood 1FolkesBriggsM.Walsh

11/02/23Littlehampton TownAPISEdiv2221-1PiersonSavaneStrakerUnwinGreenParkerDanielGreenwoodWilliams 1M.WalshBriggsFolkesAnderson

14/02/23Three BridgesHPISEdiv2211-1PiersonBriggsStrakerParkerGreenWilsonDanielGreenAnderson 1FolkesAbieUnwinWalshPerana

18/02/23LancingAPISEdiv1691-0PiersonUnwinStrakerAbieGreenParkerDanielBriggsWilliamsUchechiM.Walsh 1AndersonFolkes

21/02/23SittingbourneAPISEdiv1210-2PiersonUnwinStrakerAbieGreenParkerDanielBriggsAndersonM.WalshFolkesPeranaLawrenceUchechi

25/02/23Burgess Hill TownHPISEdiv2600-4PiersonBriggsParkerUnwinPeranaGreenDanielM.WalshWilliamsUchechiStrakerAstleAnderson

28/02/23Cray ValleyHPISEdiv

MARCH

04/03/23Sheppey UnitedAPISEdiv

07/03/23Hythe TownHPISEdiv

11/03/23RamsgateAPISEdiv

18/03/23WhitehawkHPISEdiv

25/03/23Ashford UnitedHPISEdiv

APRIL

01/04/23Hythe TownAPISEdiv

08/04/33SittingbourneHPISEdiv

10/04/23Chichester CityAPISEdiv

15-AprBeckenham TownAPISEdiv

22/04/23VCD AthleticHPISEdiv

APRIL

PROGRAMMES FROM THE PAST

Past games played in the last day or two of February is what I’m going to talk about today, helped by the programmes that had been produced for the games.

I go back into the very late 1900s for the first game – Newhaven v East Grinstead on Saturday 27 February 1999. This was a Sussex County League division 2 match – and was the second tier of the County League before they decided to call their top division the Premier Division.

There isn’t a great deal to read in the programme. Newhaven weren’t having a very good season and their club notes try to make light of it all when they tell us that “the defeat of the first team and of the reserves have left us with a statistic we could easily do without. Namely that both teams are currently in bottom place!”

The notes then talk briefly about us. We weren’t doing that well either. We had played three more games than Newhaven and were 9 points better off. A win for Newhaven could perhaps spark a revival. The programme’s league table shows that there are 3 clubs between Newhaven and ourselves.

We also have a list of Newhaven’s results so far, with their teams and goalscorers. We had played them at East Court in December and the list shows that we had won 2-1 – but I think this is wrong. Our own programme says that we won the December game 3-1 with Jon Bowen scoring twice and Nick Flint the third.

So did Newhaven close the gap on us, or did we increase the gap? I did go down and watch the game – my son Daniel was playing (and Richard Tramontin’s son Marc might have also been playing for us) – and there was just one goal for us to see. I think it came in the second half and was scored by our Ian Pennells.

Continued on Page 11

Continued from Page 10

We move to another away game – though much more recent in our first season in the Isthmian League. Merstham v East Grinstead on Saturday 28 February 2015 in division 1 south (there were only 2 division 1s in 2015).

The front cover of the Merstham programme may well deceive you. Who is the player in our East Grinstead black and yellow striped shirt ? And of course the answer is that it isn’t one of our players. It’s a Merstham player - they also play in black and yellow stripes. (And I don’t know the player’s name.)

The programme does have in depth match reports from Merstham’s last 3 matches. One of these matches had been at home to Horsham where Merstham stole a win with a goal in the third minute of extra time – a goal scored by Omar Folkes who of course now plays for us.

Merstham had come to East Court in October and had beaten us 3-2 with Djimah Sampson and Sam Schaaf getting our goals. The programme’s league table shows us that Merstham are in third place with us down at the other end in 21st place (out of the 24 teams in the league).

We were indeed having a bad run with six defeats and one draw in our previous seven matches – which followed a run of four wins in five games in December.

But somehow we came away from Merstham with three points. Early pressure from Merstham was followed by a goal to us after some 30 minutes. A few neat passes and Steve Sargent drove home a low shot from just outside the penalty area. 15 minutes into the second half and John-Paul Collier got a red card after a reckless challenge and it was all hands to the pump thereafter. Good saves by our keeper plus a couple of goal-line clearances – and of course some bad misses by Merstham. But we held on for the 1-0 win.

If you’ve had your memories jogged by this piece then I’d be happy to hear from you at lestermedcalf@btinternet.com

CRAY VALLEY PM

ADE ADEYEMO

Tall striker “Toks” first signed for Valley in the summer of 2020. With 14 goals in over 50 appearances for the club, Ade’s versatility provides a range of options in front of goal.

JULIEN ANAU

A box to box midfielder, the 28 year old Frenchman joined Valley in October 2022 looking for full fitness after an injury ravaged career. Jules’ career has seen him play in Spain and Ireland after leaving his homeland.

DAN BENNETT

Attacking midfielder Dan joined Valley from Carshalton Athletic in July 2022. A constant goal threat, Dan spent four years at Farnborough in the National League South before serving Merstham, Kingstonian and Carshalton.

SONNY BLACK

Hard working midfielder Sonny joined Valley from VCD Athletic last summer. The former Crystal Palace youngster won promotion from the Isthmian League South-East Division with Walton Casuals in 2017/18

CONNOR DYMOND

Club captain. Former Crystal Palace youngster Connor has become the linchpin of the Millers rear-guard since joining in 2020. His combative style of leadership has been a feature of over 70 appearances for the club.

DENZEL GAYLE

Pacy striker Denzel made his 200th appearance for the Millers at the end of last season having joined from Erith & Belvedere in 2017.

HASSAN IBRAHIYM

Former Barnet youngster Hassan joined The Millers from Ashford United in November 2019. A hardworking midfield powerhouse, Hass has scored 19 times in over 80 games for Valley.

CHRIS LEWINGTON

Goalkeeper Chris joined The Millers in the summer of 2021 – keeping ten clean sheets in his 40 appearances last season.

AYO MAJEK

Midfielder Ayo, 23, joined Valley in September 2022 having spent last season with Marlow in the South Central Division, for whom he made

17 appearances. Ayo appeared for Molesey prior to Valley.

VINNIE MEDHURST

Former Gillingham academy defender. After a spell at Ramsgate, he started this season with SCEFL side Welling Town and joined the Millers in November 2022.

MITCHELL NELSON

33 year old defender Mitchell joined Valley in December 2022 from Isthmian League Premier side Lewes.

Lambeth-born, Nelson has enjoyed an illustrious career and won the South-East Division Championship with Cray Wanderers in 2018/19.

KIKI OSHILAJA

Central defender Kiki joined Valley last summer after being named as VCD Athletic’s Player of the Year in 2022. Tall and pacy, Kiki was a member of the Carshalton Athletic squad that won the Isthmian League South Division in 2017/18.

KERSHANEY SAMUELS

Midfielder Kershaney joined Valley last summer from Isthmian League Premier Division side Kingstonian. The former Dulwich Hamlet, Worthing and Carshalton Athletic man was an integral part of Merstham’s squad that reached the Isthmian League Play-Off final in 2019.

CEM TUMKAYA

Tall centre back who has made over 200 appearances since making his Millers debut aged 16. A valued member of the SCEFL Championship winning side in 2018/19, Cem appeared in the FA Vase final in 2019.

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SQUAD STATS

TODAYS Teams

EAST GRINSTEAD FC CRAY VALLEY PM

Matte Pierson cc

Dean Perana cc

Tariq Straker cc

Lewis Unwin cc

Harrison Parker cc

Glenn Wilson cc

Matthew Daniel cc

Andrew Briggs cc

Sam Williams cc

Matty Astle cc

Max Walsh cc

Daniel Uchechi cc

Tahjae Anderson cc

Omar Folkes cc

Ryan Green cc

Thibault Abie cc

Manager: Drew Cooney

Colours: Amber & Black

Referee: Steven Scott

GRINSTEAD

Chris Lewington cc

Thomas Chambers cc

Barney Williams cc

Ali Tumkaya cc

Sonny Black cc

Adam Coombes cc

Kershaney Samuels cc

Mitchell Nelson cc

Daniel Bennett cc

Hassan Ibrahiym cc

Ade Adeyemo cc

Kiki Oshilaja cc

Ayo Majekodunmi cc

Vinnie Medhurst cc

Andre Edionhon Silvera cc

Julien Anau cc

Manager: Kevin Watson

Colours: Blue

The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.”

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The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.

NExT HOME GAME

HYTHE TOWN

Tuesday March 7 2023

Kick off 3pm

TODAY’S OTHER GAMES

Chichester City vs Whitehawk

Three Bridges vs Sheppey United

MATCH OFFICIALS

Assistant Referee: Philip Jones

VS Fin A l sCORe

Assistant Referee: Matt Leaning

This matchday programme was created online by www.matchday-programmes.co.uk