In a commanding display, East Grinstead Town faced off against Seaside Rangers U14 in a league home match at the Edenbridge RFC on 29 September 2024, kicking off at 10:00am. The home side secured a resounding victory, finishing the match with a scoreline of 7-0, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity throughout the encounter.
East Grinstead Town lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, which allowed them to utilise width and strength both in defence and attack. In goal, Josh Goody held his position as the goalkeeper, while the back line consisted of Mason Terry and Tommy Clarabut as the right and left defenders respectively, supported by central defenders Adam Bannister and Sam Gadd. The midfield was composed of Max Dodson on the right, Dexter Sudbury and Toby Broughton centrally, and Mason Malone on the left. Up front, Haydon Davis and Harry Goodall formed a dynamic partnership, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The match began with East Grinstead Town quickly asserting their dominance. Just five minutes in, Max Dodson opened the scoring with a close-range strike from inside the box, assisted by a well-placed cross from Mason Malone. This early goal set the tone for the match, instilling confidence in the home side.
As the first half progressed, East Grinstead continued to apply pressure. In the 15th minute, Harry Goodall doubled the lead with a composed finish inside the box, following a short pass from Dexter Sudbury. The momentum was firmly with East Grinstead, and they extended their advantage further in the 23rd minute, as Goodall netted his second of the match, again with his right foot, this time connecting with another cross from Dodson.
Goodall was not finished yet; in the 31st minute, he completed a well-executed team move, scoring his third goal of the match from close range after receiving an assist from Dodson. This remarkable performance from Goodall was pivotal in establishing a commanding 4-0 lead before the half-time whistle.
At the 35-minute mark, managerial decisions led to a flurry of substitutions, with Tom Piper replacing Mason Malone, Logan Cooney coming on for Dexter Sudbury, Bobby Lindsey taking over for Toby Broughton, and Tim Greenyner stepping in for Mason Terry. These tactical changes were aimed at maintaining momentum and freshness for the second half.
The second half resumed with East Grinstead still in control. Haydon Davis scored the fifth goal in the 41st minute, finishing from inside the box after a short pass from Logan Cooney. This goal further demoralised the Seaside Rangers, who struggled to respond.
Harry Goodall continued his impressive performance, scoring his fourth goal in the 57th minute with a right-footed strike from inside the area, assisted by a cross from Tom Piper. This goal underscored East Grinstead's attacking dominance.
Substitutions continued as Dexter Sudbury replaced Haydon Davis and Mason Terry came on for Goodall, both in the 58th minute. Shortly after, in the 60th minute, Mason Malone returned to the pitch, replacing Max Dodson, and Toby Broughton came back on for Sam Gadd.
The scoring was rounded off in the 64th minute when Toby Broughton found the net with a close-range tap-in following the goal keeper spilling a long range shot from Logan Cooney. This goal capped off a stellar performance from East Grinstead, concluding the match with an overwhelming 7-0 victory.
Harry Goodall’s remarkable display earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, having contributed significantly to the scoreline with his four goals, demonstrating both skill and composure in front of goal. East Grinstead Town's emphatic win will serve as a significant morale booster as they continue their league campaign.
