Oaks Left Rue Misses Chances - East Grinstead Town vs. Sevenoaks Town

Pre match hand shakes at East Court

After not getting to a game last weekend due to being on holiday, it was good to get back watching football on a Saturday afternoon. This weekends match was the FA Vase first round proper tie between East Grinstead Town of the Sussex League and Sevenoaks Town of the Southern Counties East League. Both teams were having a mixed start to their respective league campaigns and were both in lower mid table. East Grinstead had beaten fellow Sussex League sides AFC Uckfield and Pagham in the qualifying rounds of this years competition. I visited Sevenoaks' Greatness Park a couple of years ago for a Kent League match against Erith Town.

Kick off in bright sunshine

East Grinstead take an early lead in the game. The referee plays a good advantage following a foul and the ball broke for the East Grinstead attacker who slotted the ball home. Sevenoaks almost equalise immediately but the forward puts a free header wide following good work by the winger. Sevenoaks then have two chances in quick succession. The first is a header which is cleared off the line and then the East Grinstead keeper makes a great low save from close distance. The East Grinstead keeper then makes a similar save shortly afterwards and Sevenoaks waste a one on one chance as the forward fails to hit the target. The home side then have their first chance for a little while but the header at the back post fails to trouble the keeper. The East Grinstead keeper makes two more great saves at the end of the first half to preserve his side's lead.

East Grinstead get the ball in to the box in the first half.

The home side are prevented from doubling their lead at the start of the second half when the Sevenoaks keepers makes a great near post save. They come close again shortly afterwards but the effort goes over the bar. Sevenoaks are then presented with a chance when the East Grinstead keeper spills the ball and the home defence is able to clear. East Grinstead double their lead midway through the half when the striker gets free in the box following a flowing move and he makes no mistake. East Grinstead almost make the game safe but the Sevenoaks keeper makes another great save. Deep in to injury time the East Grinstead keeper makes a great save with his feet to secure a two nil win for his side.  

One of the many first half saves by the East Grinstead keeper.

East Court is a twenty five minute walk from the station and the walk takes you along the quaint high street which has a lot more character than most town high streets. Trains to East Grinstead depart from London Victoria and the journey takes just under an hour. On the High Street is Bar Kuba which had Sky Sports for the lunch time kick off and served some great smelling food. The clubhouse looked like it had been recently renovated and sold bottles of Harvey's Blue Label which I'd defiantly recommend trying.

A good programme was produced for the game by East Grinstead. There was plenty of reading and a good County League round up.

Sunny second half action