East Grinstead Town welcomed Seagulls U14 to Edenbridge RFC on 17 November 2024 for a thrilling cup tie that ended with a decisive 5-2 victory for the home side. The match, which kicked off at 10:00 am, showcased a blend of tactical prowess and individual brilliance, ensuring an entertaining spectacle for the 30 spectators in attendance.
East Grinstead Town adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for creative attacking play. Charlie Walton stood guard in goal, with a back four consisting of Mason Terry on the right, Adam Bannister and Sam Gadd as central defenders, and Mason Malone on the left. In midfield, Dexter Sudbury and Bobby Lindsay operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Toby Broughton on the right, Harry Goodall in the central attacking role, and Tom Piper on the left, providing width and creativity. Haydon Davis led the line as the lone striker, expected to convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for East Grinstead Town included Tim Greenyner and Max Dodson, who would later play crucial roles in the match as tactical changes were made.
The match began with a flurry of activity, and it was Seagulls U14 who drew first blood, scoring a goal in the 20th minute through a goalmouth scramble that saw the ball bundled in from close range. This early setback ignited East Grinstead Town, who quickly regrouped and began to assert their dominance.
In a tactical reshuffle, East Grinstead Town made two substitutions in the 35th minute, bringing on Tim Greenyner for Mason Terry and Max Dodson for Haydon Davis, aiming to inject fresh energy into the side. The first half concluded with the score at 1-0 in favour of Seagulls U14.
The second half saw East Grinstead Town come out with renewed vigour, and they equalised in the 38th minute when Harry Goodall executed a stunning lob from outside the box, assisted by Bobby Lindsay's precise long pass. The home side's confidence surged, and just five minutes later, they took the lead through Mason Malone, who capitalised on a header from Adam Bannister during a goalmouth scramble.
Malone was not finished yet; in the 55th minute, he converted a penalty to extend East Grinstead Town's lead to 3-1, following a foul in the box. The home side continued to press, and Harry Goodall added a fourth goal in the 60th minute, lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper with another assist from Bannister, this time from long range.
As the match progressed, East Grinstead Town made further tactical changes, with Haydon Davis replacing Goodall in the 61st minute and Mason Terry coming on for Tom Piper in the 64th minute. These substitutions aimed to maintain momentum and control in the midfield and attack.
Despite East Grinstead Town's dominance, Seagulls U14 managed to pull one back in the 67th minute with a well-placed strike from close range, reducing the deficit to 4-2. However, it was too little too late, as East Grinstead Town held firm to secure their place in the next round of the cup.
In a match filled with excitement and skill, Mason Malone emerged as the standout performer, contributing significantly to the team's success with a goal and an overall commanding presence on the pitch. East Grinstead Town will take great confidence from this victory as they look ahead to future challenges in the tournament.
