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East Grinstead: 4 - Beeston: 3

Slazenger English Hockey League Premier Division

EG secure a hard fought win away from home at Beeston 4-3 to keep their unbeaten away record in tact and vitally stay very much in touch with the other 3 sides who have passed the 20 point barrier.

Only 5 points split the top 4 with Reading and Cannock on 25, Loughborough Students on 22 and EG on 20.

Goals from Jackson x2, De Prez and the eventual winner from player-coach Mark Pearn proved enough to bag the points in this must-win fixture.

With normal business resumed we are looking forward to a big double-header weekend at home this week, where a further 6 points are a distinct possibility.

East Grinstead showed plenty of character to beat Beeston 4-3 and keep themselves in the title race.

Defeat away to Beeston, who began the day above them in the table, would have left Grinstead eight points adrift of top two Cannock and Reading.

Instead, they remain five points off top spot in fourth place and in a position to put pressure on the main protagonists in the title race should they win their double header at home to the bottom two, Canterbury and Guildford, this weekend.

Grinstead were twice behind against Beeston and would have been 3-1 down at half-time but for a penalty save from George Harris.

Ashley Jackson scored twice and Dave de Prez also netted before Mark Pearn struck an excellent winner from open play eight minutes from time.

Manager Matt Jones said: "With a bit of daylight creeping in a the top of the table, it was vital for us to win at Beeston.

"Beeston were worthy opponents but if it wasn't for a couple of unusual lapses in defence the result would have been more clear cut than it was."

Grinstead defender Josh Cather has been named in the England under-18 squad for a series of training matches against Ireland.

Taken from The Argus - Howard Griggs - Tuesday 6th February 2007