League

The Park
Spectators: 8007 (Terracing: 6007, Seating: 1841, VIP seats: 159) East Grinstead's Crispin Gilchrist started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. East Grinstead's Greg Nightingale suffered a torn muscle in his foot after 3 minutes and couldn't finish the game. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Buster Browning during the 3rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After a rather tough play, Warriors's Buster Browning got a free kick in the 4th minute. East Grinstead's goalkeeper couldn't reach when Yakov Taktarov 7 minutes into the game got a good kick on the ball which found its way into goal just inside left pole. 1-0. In the 11th minute, Buster Browning hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Fraser Gerrard had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 12th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mick Thomson took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Niall Hurst, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 21 minutes into the match, Warriors's goal looked a bit too open when Fraser Gerrard came free, but Mick Thomson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mick Thomson showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Fraser Gerrard, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. After 28 played minutes Warriors got a freekick which was hit by Buster Browning. In the 33rd minute of the match Vince Lincoln sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Vincent Straker skillfully saved the ball. Mick Thomson took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fraser Gerrard, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 39 minutes into the match, Warriors's goal looked a bit too open when Curtis Hanley came free, but Mick Thomson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Fraser Gerrard in the 42nd minute of play forced Warriors's goalkeeper Mick Thomson to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 43 minutes into the match, Warriors's goal looked a bit too open when Fraser Gerrard came free, but Mick Thomson reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 45 minutes into the game, one of Warriors:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. In the 46th minute there was a penalty for East Grinstead. Bruce Newby stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Mick Thomson. 1-1. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Yakov Taktarov to strike the kick off in the second half. When Yakov Taktarov, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 53 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Vincent Straker was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. After having played for 54 minutes, Yakov Taktarov managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Warriors's supporters crossed their fingers, but Yakov Taktarov was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Vincent Straker showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Yakov Taktarov in the 56th minute of the match. Fraser Gerrard could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 63rd minute of the match, but Mick Thomson made a huge save. Curtis Hanley sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Mick Thomson made an important save on a dangerous shot by Curtis Hanley in the 64th minute. Fraser Gerrard fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Mick Thomson having to interfere. 78 minutes into the match, Warriors's goalkeeper Mick Thomson had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Fraser Gerrard. Mick Thomson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Curtis Hanley in the 80th minute of the match. After having played for 81 minutes, Quint Verlengia managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Warriors's supporters crossed their fingers, but Quint Verlengia was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mick Thomson made a fantastic save in the 84th minute, when Crispin Gilchrist sent off a good shot on target. In the 86th minute, East Grinstead's Crispin Gilchrist ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Mick Thomson. Mick Thomson yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-2. Fraser Gerrard received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Mick Thomson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Curtis Hanley's late challenge caught a Warriors's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Curtis Hanley helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Warriors booed when East Grinstead was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Curtis Hanley didn't get a good kick on the ball. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. East Grinstead walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.