East Grinstead Town welcomed Seagulls U14 to Edenbridge RFC on 17 November 2024 for a thrilling cup encounter that ended with a resounding 5-2 victory for the home side. The match kicked off at 10:00 am, showcasing a display of skill and determination from both teams.
East Grinstead Town lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Charlie Walton took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Mason Terry on the right, Adam Bannister and Sam Gadd in central defence, and Mason Malone on the left. In midfield, Dexter Sudbury and Bobby Lindsay operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attacking trio. Toby Broughton occupied the right attacking midfield role, while Tom Piper played on the left, both looking to create chances for Harry Goodall, who played centrally as the attacking midfielder, with Haydon Davis leading the line as the striker. The substitutes for East Grinstead Town were Tim Greenyner and Max Dodson.
The match began with Seagulls U14 taking an early lead in the 20th minute through a goalmouth scramble, where they capitalised on a defensive lapse to score from close range with a right-footed effort. This setback prompted East Grinstead Town to regroup and refocus their efforts.
In a tactical move, East Grinstead made two substitutions in the 35th minute, bringing on Tim Greenyner for Mason Terry and Max Dodson for Haydon Davis. These changes aimed to inject fresh energy into the side as they sought to equalise early in the 2nd half.
The home side found their rhythm shortly after the break, with Harry Goodall levelling the score in the 38th minute. He executed a delightful lob from outside the box, assisted by Bobby Lindsay's long pass, showcasing his technical prowess and composure in front of goal.
Just five minutes later, East Grinstead Town took the lead when Tim Greenyner, who had only just entered the fray, scored from a free kick delivered by Toby Broughton. Greenyner's right-footed shot found the back of the net, putting the home side ahead 2-1.
The momentum continued to swing in East Grinstead's favour as Mason Malone added a third goal in the 50th minute. Following a header from Adam Bannister, Malone was quick to react in a goalmouth scramble, slotting the ball home with his left foot from close range.
Malone was not done yet, as he converted a penalty in the 55th minute, extending the lead to 4-1. The penalty was awarded after a foul in the box following some good work in the box by Max Dodson and Malone confidently dispatched it, showcasing his composure under pressure.
Harry Goodall then added his second goal of the match in the 60th minute, lobbing the ball over the Seagulls' goalkeeper from long range, with another assist from Adam Bannister. This stunning effort further solidified East Grinstead's dominance, pushing the score to 5-1.
In the 61st minute, East Grinstead made another substitution, bringing Haydon Davis back on for Harry Goodall, who had played a pivotal role in the attack. Shortly after, Mason Terry replaced Tom Piper in the 64th minute, as East Grinstead looked to maintain their control of the game.
Despite the commanding lead, Seagulls U14 managed to pull one back in the 67th minute with a right-footed strike, reducing the deficit to 5-2. However, it was too little, too late, as East Grinstead Town held firm to secure their place in the next round of the cup.
The match concluded with East Grinstead Town celebrating a well-deserved victory, demonstrating their attacking prowess and resilience in the face of early adversity.
