VS HYTHE TOWN
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE | SOUTH EAST DIVISION SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2024 | KICK OFF 3PM
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FC
The Vistavis Community Stadium College Lane | East Grinstead | RH19 3LS
Tel: 01342 325885
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Season's greetings one and all and a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Hythe Town.
Well, I don't think any of us who left the ground three weeks ago after such a poor performance (and result) against Lancing could have imagined that three days later we would have turned over the leaders and title favourites and handed them their first defeat of the season in the league. It is arguably our best performance at this level. Okay, on the night we had a bit of luck but there was so much that was good about our performance from 1-11 and including those who came off the bench, not least the composed way we dealt with all the aggro around the change of referee and Ramsgate's reaction to it. We negotiated the remaining 14 minutes pretty comfortasbly and could easily have extended our lead.
BUILDING ON A GOOD RESULT
Just as importantly we have taken the confidence gained on and picked up four points from two games since. At Herne Bay - a venue we have rarely left without losing - we produced a professional performance to see out a 2-1 victory after fine goals from Ricardo Thompson and Charlie Harris helped us take control. Then on Tuesday at third-placed Beckenham we twice came from behind to draw 2-2 and, by all accounts, that was a fair result. Now, with a few more players back from injury and three of our next four games at home, we can hopefully continue to climb the table and look forward to 2025 with confidence.
On behalf of everyone at the club I wish you and your familes a happy Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you again a week todaty against Margate, having made the trip down the A22 on Boxing Day to play Eastbourne Town. COME ON THE WASPS!
Followuson:
ClubManagement:
Chair & Treasurer: Richard Tramontin
Secretary & Vice chair: Brian McCorquodale
Senior Football Officer: Steve Norris
Head of Recruitment: Matt Wheeler
Commercial Manager: Steve Norris
Club Welfare Officer: Brian McCorquodale
Disability Welfare Officer: Stuart Gibson
Safety & Facilities Officer: Barry Bryant
Bar Manager: Stuart Gibson
Press Officer: Bruce Talbot
ED&I Officer: Andy Dodson
FootballManagement
Manager: Drew Cooney
Assistant Manager and Team Coach: Ian Nicholls
Assistant Team Coach: Steve Sargent, Matt Wheeler
Physiotherapist: Kit manager:
Disability Team Manager:
Youth Coordinator & Development:
Under-18 Manager:
Assistants
Under-16 Amber Manager:
Under-16 Black Manager:
Under-14 Manager:
Under-12 Amber Manager:
Under 12 Black Manager:
Under 11 Manager:
Kate Moss
Adam Robinson
Ant Bowler
Jay De Vito
Lewis McDonnell
Kevin Wright & Leigh Douce
Lewis McDonnell
Nigel Leach
Sean Clarabut
Ted Symes
Tom Butcher
Ben Payne
FROM THE Dugout
GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO TODAY'S GAME AGAINST HYTHE.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Vistavis Community Stadium for this very important Isthmian League fixture. It’s fantastic to see so many of you here, continuing to provide the support that makes all the difference to the team. We have enjoyed some competitive games with Hythe over the last few years and we welcome Nick and his team this afternoon for what I’m sure will be another good contest.
Over the past three weeks we’ve seen some excellent performances that really highlight the progress the squad has made recently. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ramsgate set the tone, with the players showing resilience and determination to see the game through. That momentum carried into our 2-1 win against Herne Bay, where the team delivered a professional display from start to finish. On Tuesday night, we travelled to Beckenham and came away with a valuable point after a tightly contested 2-2 draw in which the lads kept a good shape and showed quality and creativity going forward. These results reflect the hard work and belief that has been growing within the squad. It’s also been a boost to have a few familiar faces return to the fold after being absent in previous weeks. Their presence has added to the depth and energy within the group, and credit must go to the entire squad for how they’ve stepped up, bought into the plan, and worked tirelessly during this period. The commitment from every single player has been evident on the pitch, and we’re pleased to see this effort begin to put a few points on the board. Drew is currently on a family holiday but we have been keeping in regular contact and I know how proud he is of all the lads for what they have achieved in our last three matches.
As always, we hope you enjoy the game this afternoon and get behind the team as only you know how. We must attempt to keep this positive run going against difficult opposition and continue building momentum as we head into the back end of December.
Enjoy the match, Up the Grinner! IanNicolls
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the Vistavis Community Stadium for today’s Isthmian League South East Division match against Hythe Town. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the Cannons’ officials, management, players and supporters as well as this afternoon’s referee Derrick Lain. his assistants Jack Owen and Gulam Damji and todays’ observer, Timothy Lawrence. I trust everyone enjoys their brief stay and our hospitality. Well, our last three matches have certainly seen a sharp turnaround of form after a shocking home performance against Lancing. It started with a 2-1 home win against Ramsgate, who had so far been unbeaten in the league and had only dropped points in a draw against Burgess Hill. The lads followed this with a 2-1 away win at Herne Bay last Saturday and then a 2-2 draw at third placed Beckenham Town on Tuesday evening. We currently sit in 14th spot with 24 points after 19 matches.
Today’s visitors, Hythe Town, are currently five places and ten points below us. They sit fourth from bottom with 14 points from 20 games. Nick Davis and his team will be looking for a turnaround in their form which since the start of November has seen them lose six, win one against Steyning and draw two against Herne Bay and Littlehampton.
Although it is great to be on a good run of form and playing with confidence, that counts for nothing unless we continue to put in the level of performance and determination that we have shown recently, as we know we will face a tough encounter today.
A win would be a great tonic before Christmas, after which we travel to Eastbourne Town on Boxing Day for a 1pm kick off, followed by a home match against Margate next Saturday and then we host Sevenoaks Town on New Years Day.
Three points is what Nick Davis will also be targeting which could see them move above Littlehampton Town before they then host Ashford United followed by Phoenix Sports and Sheppey United away. Thank you all for coming along this afternoon and whatever the outcome of the match, I trust everyone enjoys their visit to East Court and I wish you all a safe journey home. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very MerryChristmas.
RichardTramontin
HYTHE TOWN TheAwayEnd
Meet the Cannons
Hythe Town FC Player Profiles 2024-2025
Joe Coleman
Joe joined us at the beginning of the season. He started his career up the hill at Folkestone Invicta coming through the youth set up. He returned to the club after university and made his debut in December 2022.
Lex Allan
At 6ft 7in, Lex is a giant in the back four. He joined Hythe from Sittingbourne who he joined from Sunday League football. He is another who stuck with the club through the difficult times and is now club captain.
Louie Procopi
Louie joined during the close season from Ramsgate. He is a bright player with real prospects to play higher.
Theo McKenzie
Theo signed for Hythe in August. He is a young defender who played for Holmesdale last season. He started his career with Dartford before playing for Sittingbourne.
Sam Smith
Sam has joined the Cannons on a loan deal from Maidstone United. He joined Stones from Rochester City. Sam has played in the Maidstone first-team.
Amadeus Addotey
Young midfielder who came through the Bromley FC youth system.
Harry Rowland
One of the heroes at the end of last season, who stepped up to the mark. He had been a fringe of the first team squad having been on dual registration with Larkfield & New Hythe.
David Ozobia
Played for VCD Athletic, Herne Bay and Erith & Belvedere before joining Ashford United in October last season.
Kian Scott
Having come through the Folkestone Invicta youth set up, Kian joined Hythe during the summer.
and more Cannons...
Michael Aziaya
Michael joined the Cannons in September from Punjab United. The 28-year-old midfielder brings to the club vast experience having played for Sevenoaks Town, Carshalton Athletic, Linköping City (Sweden), Burgess Hill Town, Eastbourne Borough, Thamesmead Town, Dartford, VCD Athletic, Merstham and Erith & Belvedere. Siao Blackwood.
Midfielder Siao joined from former Isthmian North club, New Salamis. The 34-year-old has had a number of former clubs in his career including Haywards Heath Town.
D’Jean Spencer
D’Jean arrived at Reachfields in September having played for Sheppey United.
Riley Court
Has come to Hythe on a one month loan from Maidstone United.
Ellis Brown
Experienced attacking midfielder who joined in November from Folkestone Invicta.
Medy Elito
Medy joined Hythe from from Ramsgate. Has also played for Newport County, Cambridge United, Wealdstone and Welling United.
Josh Theobald
Exciting young midfielder who joined the club in the close season from Badshot Lea.
Sammi Takaloo
Son of former Hythe favourite Mo Takaloo, Sammi joined the Cannons at the start of the season from Herne Bay.
Kelvin Ogboe
26-year-old former Faversham Town striker came to Reachfields in September. Has also played for VCD Athletic, Hastings United, Millwall, Phoenix Sports and Bromley.
Anthony Andesite
Anthony signed for the Cannons in September. He is a striker who can also play in midfield.
Vance Bola
Prolific striker who joined the Cannons in October from Ramsgate.
Danny Parish
An experienced striker who started in the Brentford youth set up before earning a full-time contract in 2016. He went out on loan to Billericay Town before a permanent move to Wealdstone. Danny has also had spells at Maldon & Tiptree, Welling United, Hastings United, Canvey Island and Ashford United. He joined us from Sittingbourne in November.
FIXTURES & RESULTS
AUGUST
Sat 3 AugAGlebeFA Cup EP2-0192Folkes, Tighe
Sat 10 AugAMargateIsthmian South East0-0402
Sat 17 AugHRedhillFA Cup P1-3193Spinks
Fri 23 AugHAFC Croydon AthleticIsthmian South East2-1228Lawson, Weaire
Mon 26 AugASevenoaks TownIsthmian South East2-2107Harris, Daniel
Sat 31 AugHDeal TownIsthmian South East2-3124Daniel, Tighe
SEPTEMBER
Tue 3 SepHMersthamVelocity Cup 20-1115
Sat 7 SepAHartley WintneyFA Trophy 1Q1-2163Harris
Tue 10 SepHBroadbridge HeathIsthmian South East1-293Folkes
Sat 14 SepAPhoenix SportsIsthmian South East2-186Daniel, Weaire
Sat 28 SepABurgess Hill TownIsthmian South East1-2415Humpherston OCTOBER
Tue 8 OctANewhavenSussex Cup 21-1Harris
East Grinstead Town win 7-6 on penalties
Sat 12 OctASteyning Town CommunityIsthmian South East3-2110Andrade Filipe, Tighe, Folkes
Tue 15 OctHAshford UnitedIsthmian South East1-3113Tighe
Sat 26 OctAThree BridgesIsthmian South East1-066Christmas NOVEMBER
Sat 2 NovHErith TownIsthmian South East0-4123
Tue 5 NovABroadbridge HeathIsthmian South East2-4107Daniel, Tighe
Sat 9 NovHPhoenix SportsIsthmian South East4-2101Harris, Humpherston, Christmas, Daniel
Tue 12 NovHLancingSussex Cup 30-277
Sat 16 NovAAshford UnitedIsthmian South East0-3434
Sat 23 NovHBurgess Hill TownIsthmian South EastPostponed
Sat 30 NovHLancingIsthmian South East1-3119Jabbie
DECEMBER
Tue 3 DecHRamsgateIsthmian South East2-1102Lovatt 2
Sat 14 DecAHerne BayIsthmian South East2-1374Thompson, Harris
Tue 17 DecABeckenham TownIsthmian South East2-2182Tighe, Harris
Sat 21 DecHHythe TownIsthmian South East3pm
Thu 26 DecAEastbourne TownIsthmian South East1pm
Sat 28 DecHMargateIsthmian South East3pm JANUARY
Wed 1 JanHSevenoaks TownIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 11 JanHSheppey UnitedIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 18 JanALittlehampton TownIsthmian South East3pm
Tue 21 JanASittingbourneIsthmian South East7.45pm
Sat 25 JanALancingIsthmian South East3pm FEBRUARY
Sat 1 FebHBeckenham TownIsthmian South East3pm
Tue 4 FebHBurgess Hill TownIsthmian South East7.30pm
Sat 8 FebAMersthamIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 15 FebHSteyning Town CommunityIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 22 FebARamsgateIsthmian South East3pm
MARCH
Sat 1 MarHThree BridgesIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 8 MarAErith TownIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 15 MarHHerne BayIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 22 MarAHythe TownIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 29 MarHLittlehampton TownIsthmian South East3pm
APRIL
Sat 5 AprASheppey UnitedIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 12 AprHSittingbourneIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 19 AprADeal TownIsthmian South East3pm
Mon 21 AprHEastbourne TownIsthmian South East3pm
Sat 26 AprAAFC Croydon AthleticIsthmian South East3pm
TEAM LINE UP
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C.
Mattie Pierson
Warren Colman
Oliver Spinks
Tom Cadman
Michael Wilson
Matthew Weaire
Glenn Wilson (C)
Finlay Lovatt
Charlie Harris
Connor Tighe
Alex Andrade Filipe
Omar Folkes
Matthew Daniel
Kieran Humpherston
Jabari Christmas
Oluremi Onabanjo
Terlochan Singh
Khalifa Jabbie
Colours: Amber & Black
TOWN
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN HISTORY
Programmes from the Past by Lester Medcalf
With Christmas approaching I'm going to talk about a couple of games played in the past a few days before Christmas Day. I'm going to start with East Grinstead v Hailsham Town on Saturday 20 December 2003 here at East Court in division 1 of the Sussex County League. The club notes in the programme – presumably written by Bruce Talbot – welcome our visitors and recall our away league match played in September. A game that “will be remembered for the horrible incident involving our Kris Trevor when only the quick thinking of our own backroom staff and Hailsham officials prevented a tragedy.” I wasn't at the game and don't really know what happened, but clearly it was something horrible (and possibly life threatening?). We had won that game 3-1 with Kris having scored two of our goals before the incident.
The notes also go on to talk about fixtures. This home match against Hailsham would be our fourth consecutive home game – and we wouldn't have another home game until February. And before that recent run of four consecutive home games, we'd had a run of five consecutive away games in November.
The programme's league table shows 20 teams in the league with us in 12th place and Hailsham a few places ahead of us in eighth. A bad run in October and early November had rather let us down. Towards the back of the programme, we had a page talking about previous games against Hailsham –our record being “modest at best” and that earlier 3-1 win had been only our second away win against them in the last ten away matches. And “even at East Court Hailsham have had the better of things” with only a couple of wins for us in the most recent 5 or 6 home games. So in 2003 did we improve on things or did Hailsham again come out on top? Well, a 5-1 win was a good way for us to spend Christmas with a couple of goals from Steve Banks and further goals from Phil Thompson, Dave Gellatly and Adam Simpson. And we then had a good run with a number of wins in that next batch of away matches.
Back in 2008...
Moving on a few years we have East Grinstead v St Francis Rangers on Saturday 20 December 2008 again in division one of the Sussex County League. The front cover of the programme shows Geoff Harris, one of our helpers on the pitch, in the clubhouse and wherever else he could help. Unfortunately, he had just died at the age of 80 and would be very much missed. You knew when he was on his way to the ground from the noise his motor bike made. The programme contained a whole page talking about him.
Chairman Richard Tramontin also talked about Geoff before talking about recent performances on the pitch where “our performances continue to baffle”. Two weeks ago, we had played away to league leaders Eastbourne United and had beaten them 1-0. The following week had seen us at home to the bottom club Worthing United and we lost 2-1. The page containing the match report for the Worthing game captures things with the heading “After the Lord Mayor's show”. In truth we were having a difficult season and were third from bottom (St Francis halfway up). Apart from that win against the league leaders we had lost five of our six games in November – the sixth game being a draw. We had played the away match against St Francis in early September and had lost 4-1.
Would we be able to remember Geoff Harris with a win against St Francis? Well, we didn't lose, but we didn't win either. Halfway through the first half the St Francis keeper made a mess of things when trying to catch a cross and Michael Belli was able to tap the loose ball home. We held out for much of the next 50 minutes before St Francis scored and 1-1 was how it finished.
HERNE BAY 1, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 2
First-half goals from Ricardo Thompson and Charlie Harris made it back-to-back wins last Saturday at a ground where we have a pretty poor record down the years.
MATCH ACTION
