Men's football news
After another excellent result on the road for the Rooks at Guernsey on Wednesday, attention turns to the FA Trophy on Saturday and a relatively short trip to fellow Bostik League South side East Grinstead Town.
Darren will be able to welcome back Chris Winterton, Jamie Brotherton and Frankie Chappell into the match day squad after they were absent from the trip to Guernsey, whilst Gus Sow picked up a late knock and could be a doubt for the game. Other than that the boss has a very strong squad to choose from.
How has this season been for East Grinstead Town?
It’s not been the best of seasons so far for The Wasps as the currently sit in 23rd place with five points so far. Their only win so far was an impressive 7-2 victory over Shoreham, although the 2-2 draw with Greenwich Borough was certainly an impressive result. Marcus Elliot is the danger man with eight goals so far this season.
How was last season?
There was a small amount of progress for The Wasps last season as they
ensured their Isthmian League South survival with games to spare. In a strange turn of events just after the
new year, manager Matt Longhurst left to take up the assistant manager position
at Hastings United only to return to the club two weeks later.
Isthmian League South Division – 18th – P 46 W 14 D 5 L 27 GS 82 GA 121 GD -39 PTS 47
·
FA Cup – Preliminary Round – Lost away to Herne
Bay 1-0
·
FA Trophy –
First Qualifying Round – Lost at home to Phoenix Sports 3-2
·
Sussex Senior Cup – Second Round – Lost at home
to Pagham 3-2
·
Isthmian League Cup – First Round– Lost at home
to Godalming Town 6-5 on pens
When did we last meet
East Grinstead Town?
We managed to do the double over East Grinstead last season, winning 3-1
away and a comprehensive 4-0 victory at The Pan in March. In the game in November, stunning strikes
from Charlie Coppola, Stephen Okoh and Jonte Smith gave us all three points
whilst at The Pan goals from Smith (x2), Matty George and Wilfried Grimaud
capped off a great afternoon of football.
About The GAC Stadium
Once you emerge from a C S Lewis-type country lane into the dell where the
GAC Stadium is located you will feel like you are in another world. The ground
is surrounded by trees and has one “developed” side with a thin main stand
running above the side of the pitch and a small covered terrace next to it.
Behind each goal, and the other side of the pitch is a simple perimeter fence
with hard standing. The club house is
relatively new and well-appointed, situated behind one goal, and offers limited
views of the action on the pitch. Food is served from a hut in-between the two
stands.
How to get to The GAC
Stadium
If you are coming via the M23 then exit at junction 10 and
follow the A264 towards East Grinstead. When the road joins the A22, proceed
past Homebase on the left and CarpetRight on the right, then turn left into
Moat Road, signposted Hospital and A264 to Tunbridge Wells. Continue over the roundabout at the junction
of Blackwell Road, Blackwell Hollow and Holtye Road. Continue 50 yards to the mini-roundabout at
the junction of Blackwell Farm Road and Holtye Road and double-back. Do not
turn through the gap in the central reservation as this is for emergency
service vehicles only and you could be liable for prosecution. Turn left into
East Court and turn immediately left into the lane which leads to the ground
and car park. However, the car park is very small so it is worth finding street parking before you head down the narrow lane to the ground.
If travelling to East Grinstead northbound along the A22 from
Eastbourne, carry on over roundabout and proceed towards Town Centre (do not
turn right onto Beeching Way bypass).
After 100 yards, turn right at mini roundabout into College Lane and
Blackwell Hollow. At roundabout at the bottom of Blackwell Hollow, turn right
into Holtye Road. Continue 50 yards to the mini-roundabout at the junction of
Blackwell Farm Road and Holtye Road and double-back as above. The shortest route from Lewes is via the A22
and should take around 40 minutes to do the 21 miles.
The nearest train station is 2 miles away and it is probably
easier to get a cab but if you want to walk you can go via the Ounce & Ivy
Bush pub. Come out of station and navigate around the roundabout so you are
walking down Railway Approach. At the
end bear right and then first left into King Street (pub on your right). At end turn left and then cross the A22 on
the footbridge. Follow Moat Road
straight on then right into Blackwell Road.
Follow that down to roundabout and then take a right up the lane to the
ground. You will need to change at East
Croydon from Lewes, which can mean an hour and a half journey time. Off-Peak
day return is £30.50.
Admission at The GAC Stadium
Admission is £10 for Adults, £5 for
Concessions, £1 for Under16s.
Fancy a beer?
If you are coming by train then you will pass the Railway Tavern at the end
of Railway Approach which is worth a quick pint in before heading to the
Wetherspoons Ounce & Ivy Bush on King Street. A bit further afield is the Sussex Arms in
West Street that is also worth a visit, time permitting.
The winners will face a trip to Evostik Premier League side Dunstable Town on Saturday 28th October.