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Ashington Cougars vs East Grinstead Colts: 18/3/06
The Colts went to Ashington not expecting a victory but still looking for a decent result. Ashington Cougars were in 2nd position and The Colts in 8th but the last match was close so East Grinstead weren't going out without a fight. The game got under way and immediately the Colts had a chance, in the form of Jack Leslie, which unfortunately was saved. The Colts had another break and this time Smith managed to find the back of the net, giving the Colts an early lead and Smith's first league goal. Ashington were shell shocked and for the next 10 minutes the Colts dominated but the control of the game just started to slip away. Ashington attacked strongly down the left but a combination of catches by Mullins and tackles by Ray, Birtchnall and Watts prevented Ashington from levelling the score line. Ashington found a way through but just as they shot Jack Ray threw himself in the way of the ball and stopped the shot being a threat. A few attacks followed for the Colts but none of these had any real penetration. Just as half time was approaching a shot hit McLaren-Rowe on the arm inside the penalty area. It was a harsh call against the Colts when the ref gave the penalty but they had to accept it. The Ashington number 4 took the penalty and put it straight down the middle; it bounced off Mullins' right foot and went in. Only a few seconds later the half time whistle blew. The Colts came back out but they didn't look as sharp as the previous half. Ashington broke and the ball quite blatantly hit the players arm but the referee didn't stop play, consequently the Colts conceded a corner. The corner came in high but Mullins rose up high and punched it back behind his goal. This time the ball came in low and straight to the feet of an Ashington player, it was a goal mouth scramble and miscommunication between the defence meant they conceded another goal. Now they were 2-1 down, but they still put up a fight. The Colts quickly bounced back and again Smith put it in the back of the net to level the scores. With about 10 minutes left on the clock the Colts managed to put together one last attack. The chance looked dead until Smith pounced on it resulting in a goal for the Colts and a hat-trick for Smith. Ashington were furious claiming it was a foul by Smith but the referee ignored all appeals. The defence sat deep for the last minutes of the game just to prevent the equalizing goal. The full time whistle blew and the Colts celebrated like they had never celebrated before. Smith's 3 goals gave the Colts all 3 points and their 2nd hat-trick of the season.
Brockham Badgers vs East Grinstead Colts: 25/2/06
The Colts travelled to Brockham for what promised to be an exciting match. Their last match ended in a 1-1 draw, could the Colts do it again to bring an end to their poor run of results? The match kicked off and the Colts got straight into the game, they attacked well and defended even better. A few chances came for Brockham but they were stopped by some top class defending. Josh Smith was at the centre of the game, he was winning the ball then, getting forward and passing it. Boothe-Lowe also had a sensational match doing a very similar role to Smith. The Colts were in the driving seat but they still couldn't get the all important goal. A few chances came but most were offside, but only just. The first half ended with the Colts firmly in control. The match started exactly how it ended with the Colts in control. A chance came to Lord who calmly put it in the back of the net to give the Colts the lead and Lord his 12th goal of the season. But the lead didn't last long, Brockham got straight back in the game with a good finish. Then a high through ball came to the feet of Lord who took it in his stride and scored, unfortunately the offside flag was raised. The game was nearing the end and the Colts continued to pile on the pressure but they failed to put the ball in the back of the net. The final whistle went. The Colts deserved to win but the result ended the Colts point drought. Now the Colts can look forward to climbing back up the table.
Ockley Acorns vs East Grinstead Colts: 14/1/06
After a defeat to the same team the previous week, the Colts looked in a spot of bother, especially as they had 4 players unavailable. The game kicked off with the Colts kicking up hill, they failed to take control of the game quickly allowing Ockley attacking chances. The Colts could have been a few down quickly had it not been for some textbook defending by Goodsell and Birtchnall and some world class stops by Mullins. The Colts efforts at scoring were all denied leaving them with heaps of defending to do. An Ockley player played an inch perfect through ball for their striker who successfully scored. Then the Colts made another costly mistake giving away a free kick on the edge of the area. A 3 man wall was set up but the taker managed to lift the ball over the wall into the top right corner. In the dying moments of the first half Lord got through on goal only to put it over the bar. Then the half time whistle came, the Colts needed to score quickly to stand a chance of a comeback. And much to their delight it came in the form of a misguided cross from Lord which dipped under the bar and into the net. The Colts were back in business! The game stayed the same for a while with chances at each end, but neither team could score. Until an Ockley player unleashed a scorching shot, Mullins dived in the way and prevented the goal but an oncoming forward put the ball in the back of the net. A handful of chances followed for the Colts with new signing Smith losing his footing every time, until he finally got through on goal but yet again slipped, but this time he managed to get a shot away, Smith looked up only to see his effort go wide. Into the last few minutes a lapse of concentration from the Colts and a goal scoring frenzy from Ockley put the Colts 5-1 down at the final whistle, pushing the Colts down to 6th.
East Grinstead Colts vs Maidenbower Colts: 3/12/05
The Colts had 3 games approaching Christmas where their manager Ian Watts was out of action. Mark Murrell stepped in for the approaching games. His first two games in charge didn't quite go to plan as the first game was lost 6-1 and the second 5-2. The Colts faced Maidenbower Colts in a game they stood a chance in winning. The Colts started well with the defence blocking out every attack. But Maidenbower managed to get through; a long shot was taken and was expertly saved, by stand-in goalie Luke Murrell, tipping the shot onto the cross bar. Then an energetic attack from the Colts found Jack Leslie who converted the chance taking the Colts into a 1-0 lead. The Colts looked strong in defence with some great interceptions and tackles from Ray and Watts. Not long after Lord managed to get one in for the Colts taking them into a commanding 2-0 lead. Then on the break again Lord burst up the pitch one on one with the goalie, he tried to place it but the keeper some how managed to keep it out. The Colts started to loose concentration letting in a silly goal, which Murrell failed to reach in time. Maidenbower were all of a sudden back in it. Then a lack of communication from a throw in left a Maidenbower striker open, he got the ball, burst into the area then scored. Somehow Maidenbower had levelled the score line. But fortunately Hall managed to sneak the ball into the back of the net in a typical goal mouth scramble. The Colts were back in charge at 3-2. But in the dieing minutes Maidenbower knocked a long ball, Williams intercepted it, but accidentally turned into an oncoming striker who snatched the ball from him and rounded the game off at a 3-3 draw.
East Grinstead vs Horsham Crusaders: 12/11/05
It was the next round of the cup for the Colts, after their heroic victory over Chiddingfold, as they faced Horsham Crusaders who were relegated from the A division the previous season. It was not going to be easy. The Colts kicked up hill to start with and struggled to get players forward to support Lord who was on his own up front. Then Horsham scored, the Colts didn't want them to score but the plan was then to score going downhill as it is much easier. Half-time came and the Colts were still 1-0 down. The formation changed back to a 4-4-2 going down the slope. But Horsham still managed to attack in numbers. They kept the pressure on and a ball through to the striker came right through the heart of the defence, Birtchnall (who was standing in for the injured Mullins) came out to meet the ball when he was blatently pushed by the oncoming striker who then scored. The ref didn't see the push and awarded the goal but fortuantly the linesman spotted the push and pointed it out to the ref who then disallowed the goal. The Horsham fans were furious with the decision but they couldn't deny there had been a push. The Colts tried continuosly to level the score but soon found themselves 2 goals behind as Horsham netted once more. The Colts were in a difficult position. They continued to heap on the pressure but nothing came of their chances, whereas Horsham had all the luck in the world scoring once more to make the score 3-0. Then Leslie picked up the ball at the half way line, he knocked it long for Lord but was taken out by an awful challenge. The linesman was flagging furiously but the ref played on as he thought he saw an advantage, which never existed. The game ended 3-0 and the Colts were out of the cup but they still had the sussex cup to look forward to.
East Grinstead vs Copthorne: 5/11/05
The Colts had an unpredictable match to handle, neither team knew what would happen as the previous season the 2 games had resulted in a draw and a loss for the Colts, but both teams were of an even standard. The Colts knew that their main threat came from the left wing and if they didn't contain this danger they could suffer a heavy defeat. Williams had the job of marking this player and he was doing an execellent job until he collected the ball, shot and scored. A goal in Copthorne's favour swung the odds dramatically. The Colts let nothing through at the back and some superb tackles by Williams prevented the left winger scoring more. The whistle went for half time and Copthorne led 1 goal to 0. The Colts returned to the game, refreshed from the break, knowing an early goal was the only way to get them back in the game. And just as they had hoped Lord got the ball at the corner of the 6-yard box and chipped it up, over the keeper and into the back of the net. It was 1-1 and the Colts looked likely to win. The Colts continued to press forward and a pass across goal found Leslie waiting for the tap in and it came and as always he scored, 2-1 and East Grinstead looked in red hot form. A second goal for Lord came as he hit it sweetly into the top right corner, the keeper stood no chance. A 2 goal lead was all that East Grinstead needed to win but their left winger managed to put a shade of doubt in the Colts minds as he hit a curling shot across the face of the goal which ended up in the back of the net, 3-2 was not a comfortable lead as the game was so even. But luckily for the Colts Leslie managed to slot one past the keeper to put the games outcome beyond doubt and as a result the Colts managed to get 3 points from the game in a 4-2 win.
Chiddingfold vs East Grinstead Colts: 15/10/05
It was the first round of the cup and East Grinstead had a tough draw against Chiddingfold, who are currently top of the division. The Colts knew it wasn't going to be easy, but it was still acheivable. The game kicked off and both defences were looking strong and weren't letting anything through until a quick Chiddingfold forward ran past the defence and shot but fortuantly for the Colts it whistled past the post just missing the target. The forwards posed threat after threat running at the defence but some good defending from Williams and McLaren-Rowe stopped them breaking the deadlock and getting the first goal of the match. The Colts still had their fair share of attacks with Lord and Leslie linking up well causing problems for Chiddingfold, but neither side could score. With about 10 minutes left of the first half a through ball came into the path of Williams who sliced the clearance but luckily McLaren-Rowe was covering but he sliced it as well giving Chiddingfold's no.14 the ball on the edge of the area, he dodged 2 tackles and then shot, the ball flew into the back of the net. 1-0 to Chiddingfold and not long left of the first half to go. And not long after the goal the half-time whistle went. The Colts came out for the second half refreshed and ready but Chiddingfold still managed to score a second putting the Colts in a very difficult position. The Colts were still looking strong on the attack and looked very much in the game despite being 2-0 down. Then a long ball found Leslie on the left wing, he crossed it from an impossible angle, and the ball rolled across the face of the goal until Lord leapt into action redirecting the ball into the back of the net. 2-1 and hopes had been resurrected. The Colts continued to pile on the pressure and some fancy footwork from Birtchnall left the defenders confused and lost. Then a pass came to the feet of Jack Ray who struck the ball immaculately, it sailed perfectly through the air and lobbed the keeper, the Colts had levelled the scoreline at 2-2 with not long to go! Both defences held tight right up to the final whistle keeping their teams in the game. Because it was a cup match a team had to win so it went into extra-time, 10 minutes each way. Both teams continued to attack and both teams continued to defend neither team could find a hole, and the half time whistle went. A quick change around happened and the game kicked off again. Both teams looked exhausted but they still tried to get that all important goal. With only a couple of minutes left Chiddingfold broke free they burst down the left wing and a good cross flew right across the face of the goal, a Chiddingfold forward stretched out to reach it but Watts just managed to do enough to put him off as he miss hit it completely and went wide. The final whistle went and the Colts worst nightmare had come true, a penalty shoot-out! 5 players had to take a penalty and these 5 players were: Hyde, Hutcheson, Lord, Williams and Ray. The Colts were to take first. Both teams lined up at the half way line and the penalty taking had to walk a long, nerve racking walk to the penalty spot where his fate would be decided. First up was Hyde he placed the ball and shot, it went straight down the middle at the goalie, he tried to parry it but the sheer power Hyde had hit it with sent into the back of the net, it was a close escape. Then Chiddingfold took, they scored as well. Next up was Hutcheson, he had scored 3 out of 3 from the spot this season and looked likely to score, like always he hit put it into the bottom left corner taking his record to 4 out of 4. Next Chiddingfold took, he knocked it with a lot of power but Mullins managed to push it out! 2-1 and the Colts had th advantage, as long as Lord scored his penalty. He took his penalty somehow managing to lob the keeper but little did that matter as it was 3-1 to the Colts. Unfortunately Chiddingfold scored their penalty beating Mullins. Next up was Williams; he was calm and cool as he hit it into the far left corner, 4-2, if Chiddingfold missed their next penalty it was all over, the Colts would win. The Chiddingfold player stepped up and hit it to the far left but it went wide! The Colts had won! The team rushed up from the half way line shouting and screaming in disbelief as they had made it through to the next round of the cup!
East Grinstead Colts vs Ashington Cougars: 8/10/05
The Colts were ready for anything after a 6-2 win the week before they looked on red hot form. Ashington Cougars weren't that high in the league table but the reason possibly being they hadn't played as many games. Having looked at their results from the previous season the Colts understood they would have a hard game but could still win. Ashington started off on top but one hard hit through ball released Lord, his speed left the defence bamboozled, unfortunatly Lord couldn't add to his goal tally. Then Ashington played a through ball, luckily it was heading straight for Williams, he swung his foot to clear it and completely missed, an Ashington striker broke free and was on goal with only the keeper to beat. He took it round the keeper and looked to score when in flew Fields-Jewell who knocked the ball out for a corner! The game went quiet for a while until the Colts won a corner, Hutcheson smashed it towards the box but a tall defender leapt up to clear it, fortunately for the Colts he hadn't quite got over the ball causing him to head it backwards, with a stroke of luck it flew over the keepers head and went in, the Colts had the lead but only just! Then Ashington finally scored bringing their chances back to life levelling the score at 1-1. The Colts weren't worried though as a powerfully hit through ball from Ray found Lord running at goal and surely enough he scored. Into the second half Ashington started to look a better side and their good play was rewarded with not one goal but three! All of a sudden Ashington were 4-2 up, how on earth did it happen? Going into the last few minutes Lord was fouled in the box and quite rightfully the referee gave a penalty. Hutcheson was going to take and like always he slotted it into the bottom left corner, had their chances been rescued? Unfortunately not as the final whistle blew and the Colts suffered their second defeat of the season and with a cup game against Chiddingfold the following week the Colts weren't in the right frame of mind.
East Grinstead Colts vs Albury Eagles: 1/10/05
The Colts travelled all the way down to Albury (about 3/4 of an hour away)to play their 4th game of the season. After a draw the week before putting the Colts into 3rd position they were keen to hold their position or even to move up. The Colts started the game and conceded a goal within the first 5 minutes! It was a nightmare! But being a goal down wouldn't stop the Colts from winning. They won a free kick about half way between the edge of the area and the half way line. Hutcheson was to take. He looked in the postion to shoot, but how would he score from that far out? He shot and it cannoned into the bottom corner, the Colts were back in it. Then the Colts scored again as Lord put it into the back of the net. The Colts had taken the lead from being 1-0 down! Then Lord used his pace to get past the last defender then he struck again, 3-1, Lord was on a hatrick! Ray made some crucial tackles along with Dick preventing Albury from scoring. Then in the same sort of situation as before Lord ran through again and just like before he scored, a hatrick for Lord and a 4-1 lead for the Colts! It was getting better and better! But then Albury got through and put it into the gaping goal mouth, but luckily for the Colts the scorer had been flagged offside, it was a lucky escape. Then a lofted ball from Watts, over the back four, found Leslie through on goal; Leslie kept his cool and put the ball in the back of the net! 5-1 to the Colts, surely the game was beyond rescue. Then at 5-1 down Albury got through, Mullins charged out but the striker cheekily lobbed him to bring the game to 5-2. With not long to go Hutcheson hit a shot from a long way out, the keeper parried it but the danger hadn't gone because Lord nipped in and nudged it into the goal, 6-2! With a few minutes left Hall crossed the ball, it rolled along the face of the goal right into the path of Hyde, he reached out but some how managed to put it over the bar. But little did it matter as the final whistle blew and the Colts celebrated a 6-2 victory!
East Grinstead Colts vs Brockham Badgers: 24/9/05
After a win the week before, the Colts were looking to extend their winning streak to 2 games in a row. Both teams had lost the first game of the season and won the second game. Brockham kicked off and not long after the Colts had the ball and looked in complete control of the game. Then the Colts won a corner, the ball flew into the area, it was controlled by Birtchnall who struck it perfectly at the goal, it had to be a goal, but no, the keeper pulled off a fantastic save, stopping the Colts taking the lead.Both teams had their fair share of chances but neither team could convert them. The half time whistle blew, the teams were even despite chances at each end. This time the Colts kicked off. They still kept the ball well but were unable to turn their possesion into goals. Then down the right hand, side no. 6 for Brockham Badgers made a run. He took it past 3 players and eventually found the back of the net taking the game to 1-0 in Brockham's favour. With about 5 minutes until the final whistle Brockham were still in the lead. But then Birtchnall broke into the area were he was fouled, the Colts had a penalty. Hutcheson lined up for the penalty then struck into into the bottom left corner. The game was tied at 1-1, for the next 5 minutes neither defence let anything through, with the game resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Upper Beeding vs East Grinstead Colts: 17/9/05
Both teams were looking for their first win of the new season and for both teams it looked like a game from which they could get some points. The Colts started the game at a good pace and not long into the game the Colts won a corner. The ball was whipped in, it fell kindly to Fields-Jewell who chested it down and hit it into the back of the net, 1-0 to the Colts. For the next 15 minutes the Colts looked very much in control of the game until Upper Beeding started to wake up. The Colts conceeded a corner and were punished for their mistake as Upper Beeding made it 1-1, but it could have easily been more if it wwasn't for William's speed stopping the attackers getting through. The Colts looked shaken but still looked very much in the game until a long ball was played through the middle of the defence and Upper Beeding's pacey striker burst through the defence and scored. Not long after Beedings second goal it was half time, the Colts were 2-1 down. A few tactical changes were made ready for the second half. The Colts had the kick off, they kept possession of the ball then played a quick through ball right through the middle of the defence and Lord zoomed into the box to chip it into the net. It was 2-2 and the Colts looked ready to win. The game rolled on and both teams had their fair share of opportunities but both teams defence wouldn't conceed another goal. But then the Colts won a corner. Hutcheson knocked it into the box but it was knocked back out, but luckily it went straight back to his feet, he hit the ball from outside the area from a tight angle and it flew right into the top corner, the Colts had rescued their chances of victory taking the game to 3-2. The Colts defence let nothing through and stopped Upper Beeding from getting that all important goal. With not long left Lord broke into the area, clean on goal, when he was brought down, PENALTY! Hutcheson stepped up to take it he stepped back from the ball ready to strike, the keeper was doing all he could to put Hutcheson off, but it failed to work as he hit it into the bottom left corner, 4-2 to the Colts. The Colts kept tight right until the final whistle when they celebrated their first victory of the season.
Ashurst Wood pre-season friendly: 6/9/05
The Colts played their first pre-season friendly together against Ashurst Wood, hopes weren’t too high as the Colts hadn’t beaten Ashurst Wood in either of their two previous meetings. The game was played as 4 quarters to give chances for players to have a rest and also to allow the team to make the necessary changes to the team. The Colts who are currently playing in the C-division of the Horsham league realized the game was going to be tough as their opponents are currently playing in the A-division of the same league. But it hardly showed as Lord broke free on the attack and nestled a great goal to take the Colts 1-0 up. Ashurst Wood gave no chance for the Colts to settle back down after the goal as they scored a good goal. Within seconds of the Colts taking the lead they were back where they started at 1-1. But the Colts still fought on as they used Lord's pace to their advantage, they slotted in a nice pass and Lord was through on goal, he shot and celebrated as the Colts took the game to a 2-1 lead. The Colts were looking strong on the offence yet again, as the ball was played into the area the Colts stood still watching for a moment as the ball bounced back out of the area Hutcheson hammered it home to take the lead to 3-1! Ashurst Wood hadn’t been beaten though they came back strongly taking the ball from the Colts, playing a simple pass followed by a well delivered goal. The Colts still led 3-2 but the gap was closing. Ashurst Wood kept the pressure on and finally got the equalizing goal to secure a 3-3 draw. All in all it was quite a satisfying result as they had never beaten Ashurst Wood and they didn’t have all of their best players available.
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