East Grinstead Town v Hythe Town March 7 2023

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

TheOHOBCommunityStadium| CollegeLane|EastGrinsteadRH193LS

Telephone : 01342 325885

Website : 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 over from east Kent, as well as our own supporters. We're on our worst run of the season after four successive defeats and it won't get any easier tonight, against an in-form Hythe team who don't give many goals away, are very much in the play-off mix and who, apart from ourselves, have the best badge in the division. By all accounts 4-1 flattered Sheppey on Saturday. We were very much in the game after Sammy Williams equalised and there penalty was extremely soft, while two late goals as we chased a second equaliser were hard to take. But the performance was much better and hopefully we can take that into what looks like being our last Tuesday night game of the season.

C'mon the Wasps!

LEAGUE DIVISION TABLE | 22 - 23

4Whitehawk29157749282152

5Sevenoaks Town30156948321651

6Ashford United30148850341650

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

7Cray Valley PM29138848291747

8Chichester City291210743331046

9Sheppey United30137105347646

10Hythe Town2913793228446

11Littlehampton Town30116134048-939

12Three Bridges2897124346-334

13East Grinstead Town29104153046-1634

14Lancing3096153852-1433

15Burgess Hill Town2988134043-332

16Sittingbourne29710123134-331

17VCD Athletic3087153655-1931

18Haywards Heath Town2978143860-2229

19Faversham Town3056193265-3321

20Corinthian2948172243-2120

Up to and including March 5

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

Who We Are

MANAGER’S NOTES

Another heavy defeat on Saturday for us against Sheppey United. They do say when your luck is out everything seems to go against you.

The day didn’t start well when new signing Veron pulled up in the warm-up which meant we had to shift Max Walsh to left back, which proved to be a hard day at the office for him against ex Dartford centre forward Danny Leonard.

The first half was an even affair with both teams having chances. But in the 41st minute Matty Astle was judged to have fouled their striker and the referee awarded a penalty.

Coming in at half time I still felt confident we could go on and win the game. We did go on and get the equaliser but then conceded shortly afterwards.

We then had a completely stonewall penalty not given when the keeper completely cleaned Matt Daniels out. This would have made it 2-2 and we were on top. However, as our luck has been recently, we went after an equaliser and got caught with two goals late on in the game.

Coming away having conceded another four goals and watched as really important decisions did not go our was a real tough one for me to take personally as well as the lads.

The lads know the last 3-4 games have been nowhere near good enough, there has been a few changes already since the

DREW COONEY

weekend and we look to add a few more this week.

We know we have a hard month of fixtures in March, and this starts tonight at home to in-form Hythe. We must now go back to basics and stop this losing run and then see what we can get out of tough matches against Ramsgate, Whitehawk and Ashford United, who are all in contention for win the league.

Your support during the tough times every club experiences during the season is much appreciated. Please get behind the boys tonight, as they need you more than ever.

Drew

Photo courtesy of Stuart Gibson

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

Good evening everyone and welcome to The OHOB Community Stadium for tonight’s rearranged Isthmian League South East Division match against Hythe Town.

We extend a warm welcome this evening to Steve Watt, his players and staff, the Cannons’ officials and supporters as well as to tonight’s referee Conall Bartlett and his assistants Darren Eaton and Simon Faires. We trust you all enjoy your short stay and our hospitality.

The original scheduled fixture in December was postponed because of a snow covered pitch and then the rearranged fixture in January was postponed because of a frozen pitch so hopefully third time lucky tonight although some snow is forecast for tomorrow!

When we were due to play at the end of January, both the Cannons and the Wasps were on the same 23 points after 19 matches. 10 matches later Hythe are 10th with 46 points and Grinstead 13th with 34 points.

After a run of 5 matches unbeaten of which three were wins, Wasps have lost their last four. Our performance on Saturday at Sheppey United was not a reflection of the final score of 4-1 and two contentious penalty decisions went against us.

The first was the opening goal for Chatham when the referee pointed to the spot after the ball had gone over Matt Astle and a Sheppey player behind him following a corner and was heading for a throw-in. Matt was going backwards away from goal while the opponent had already turned and his foot clipped the back of Matt’s leg and went down.

The second was not given with the score at 21.The ball had been played through into Matt Daniel’s path inside the area, the keeper went to ground and got a slight touch with his outstretched hand and in the same movement then caught Matt’s foot causing him to stumble

to the ground but the assistant waved play on! Decisions are just not going our way.

Thanks again for the travelling support to the Isle of Sheppey with the journey for some having taken 2½ hours. I know you will get behind the lads tonight and hope to see you on Saturday at Ramsgate (ko 3pm). Tonight is our fifth Tuesday night match in a row but we will now at last revert back to Saturday only fixtures except for Easter Monday.

Our Under 18s are here on Thursday against Leatherhead (ko 7.30pm) and they would appreciate your support if you can make it.

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

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 ValleyHPISEdiv890-3PiersonSavaneStrakerAbieGreenPeranaAstleUnwinWilliamsFolkesBriggsUchechiLawrenceDaniel

MARCH

28/02/23Sheppey UnitedAPISEdiv3221-4PiersonAstleM.WalshUnwinGreenWilsonDanielAbieWilliams 1BriggsUchechiFolkesAnderson

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

Here we are at the end of the first week of March with a couple of East Grinstead matches played in the past at that same sort of time for me to write about – helped by the programme that was produced for the match.

First up we have East Grinstead v Broadbridge Heath on Saturday 8 March 2008 in the County League second division with what I think must be a diving header from Michael Belli on the front cover. Was Michael really playing for us all of 15 years ago?

Manager Steve Norris talks about the last five matches – all of which were away games – with no home game since the first few days of February. Four of these matches had been league matches with a cup tie away to division one team Ringmer as well.

He was very happy with the way we played in that cup match though somehow we lost it 3-0. We then have a quick round-up of those five most recent games – which resulted in 2 wins and 2 draws in the league matches.

Richard Tramontin tells us that our visitors have had a bad time since Christmas and had picked up just one point since then. On the other hand the 2007/08 season was an excellent one for us and the programme’s league table shows us on top with 60 points –ten points ahead of second-placed Lingfield and with three games in hand over them –while Broadbridge Heath were now four places off the bottom.

Back to the match. We had already played Broadbridge Heath twice - both of them away. A 6-5 win in October in the Sussex Senior Cup and – by contrast – a 1-0 win in the league in November. Both of these matches before their recent bad run.

Our good form and their lack of form suggested a comfortable afternoon for us. Which it would have been had we taken some

of the many chances that we created against a team happy to defend in depth. However just as it looked as if we’d have to settle for a goalless draw up popped sub Tom Saunders to score in the last couple of minutes.

The cover for our game against Herne Bay in 2015

Continued from Page 10

Moving on a few years we come to our first season in the Isthmian League for East Grinstead v Herne Bay on Saturday 7 March 2015. John Sinclair appears on the programme’s front cover – the same photo of him seemed to appear quite a few times on our programme back then!

Richard Tramontin welcomes our visitors who are having a good run and he goes on to remind us that we had lost 4-0 in the reverse match in September – a defeat that was not helped by a couple of schoolboy defensive mistakes, and what we thought was an incorrect referee decision.

However, he was able to talk warmly about our most recent game at the end of February away to top three side Merstham – where we won 10 for our first win in eight games.

Not surprisingly manager Tony Beckingham also spoke warmly of that win, our first win in eight matches, all the better as we played the last 30 minutes with ten men after John-Paul Collier was sent off.

The league table showed us in 20th place (out of 24 teams in the league) with Herne Bay eighth. (Interesting that the four teams below us in the table included Hastings, Ramsgate and Horsham – two of them now in the top Isthmian League and the third perhaps joining them next season.)

We weren’t able to build on that Merstham win and with just one goal in the match it was Herne Bay who scored it to go back home with the points.

If your memory has been jogged following this article, then I’d be happy to hear from you at lestermedcalf@btinternet.com.

An airborne Michael Belli on the cover back in 2008

HYTHE TOWN

Steve Phillips: An experienced keeper who signed from East Preston in the Southern Combination. Steve had earlier been at Phoenix Sports for seven years in the Isthmian League and has also had spells for Wick, Selsey, Worthing United, Alresford Town and Erith Town.

Liam Smith: Full Back, Liam joined the Cannons from Tonbridge Angels at the start of last season. He came through the Angels’ youth system. He spent a short period of time on loan at Sevenoaks Town. In his time with us he has developed into a fine defender. He can also play in midfield and is now the club captain.

Marcus Goldsmith: Marcus joined the Cannons during the close season having been a member of the title winning Hastings United side last season. Marcus had spent two seasons at Eastbourne Town in the Southern Combination before moving to Pilot Field. He had previously played for Crowborough Athletic and Hailsham Town.

Jack Steventon: Jack joined the Cannons during the close season from local rivals Ashford United. He is a versatile player who can also play in midfield. He came to Ashford from Hastings United having also played for VCD Athletic, Herne Bay, Sittingbourne and Faversham Town.

Jason Fregene: Jason is an experienced defender who impressed during pre-season. He has had spells with Gravesham Borough, Hollands & Blair, Sittingbourne and Sevenoaks Town.

Lex Allan: At 6ft 7in, Lex is a giant in the back four. He joined Hythe at the start of the season from Sittingbourne whom he joined from Sunday League football. He is highly rated having had trials at a number of league clubs including Norwich City and Millwall. He had a short spell at Sheppey United before returning to the Bourne.

Shad Ngandu: Shad signed for the Cannons at the start of the season from Malden & Tiptree. He is an attacking midfielder who has an eye for goal. He has also had spells with Aveley, Great Wakering Rovers, Brentwood Town and Waltham Abbey.

Ethan Smith: Younger brother of club captain Liam, Ethan joined us at the start of this season having been released by Gillingham. He has started well scoring three goals in preseason and looks like he will become a huge asset to the Cannons. He had short loan spells at Faversham Town and Sittingbourne last season.

Johan Caney-Bryan: Johan is now in his second spell with the Cannons having been in the squad in 2015-16 season making seven appearances. He spent his early career in the youth set up at Maidstone United and Dartford. He played for the University of East London during his studies. He had a long spell with Sittingbourne before returning to Reachfields. Frannie Collin: Highly experienced striker, Frannie originally joined us from Margate. He started his career with Gillingham where he made nine first team appearances before moving onto Dover Athletic. He has also had spells with Tonbridge Angels, Maidstone United, Leatherhead and Hastings United. He left in the autumn last season when he joined Ashford United but returned at the start of 2022-2023.

Sam Itauma: Sam joined at the beginning of the season from Faversham Town. He is a quality left back who has also spent time at Whitstable Town and Hollands & Blair.

Josh Stirman: Josh joined the Cannons as a youngster back in 2018 playing 19 games. The midfielder started his career within the Maidstone United youth set up before moving to Reachfields.

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SQUAD STATS

TODAYS Teams

EAST GRINSTEAD FC HYTHE TOWN

Matte Pierson

Dean Perana

Tariq Straker

Lewis Unwin

Harrison Parker

Glenn Wilson

Matthew Daniel cc

Andrew Briggs

Sam Williams

Matty Astle

Max Walsh

Daniel Uchechi

Tahjae Anderson

Omar Folkes

Ryan Green

Thibault Abie

Manager: Drew Cooney

Colours: Amber & Black

Referee: Conal Bartlett

Steve Phillips cc

Liam Smith

Marcus Goldsmith

Jack Steventon

Jason Fregene

Lex Allan

Shad Ngandu

Ethan Smith

Johan Caney-Bryan

Frannie Collin

Sam Itauma

Josh Stirman

Charles Noyelle

Toby Bancroft

Duane Acheampong

Jeff Kessie

Manager: Steve Watt

Colours: Red

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

WHITEHAWK

Saturday March 18 2023

Kick off 3pm

TODAY’S OTHER GAMES

Burgess Hill Town vs Cray Valley PM

Haywards Heath Town vs Three Bridges

Sittingbourne vs Chichester City

MATCH OFFICIALS

Assistant Referee: Darren Eaton

VS Fin A l sCORe

EAST GRINSTEAD FC

Assistant Referee: Simon Faires

HYTHE TOWN

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