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East Grinstead: 2 - Cannock: 4

Slazenger English Hockey League Premier Division

East Grinstead lost top spot in the table, then declared: We do not fear anyone.

EG were beaten 4-2 at home to reigning champions Cannock, which

dropped them from first to fifth in an incredibly tight National League premier division.

But manager Matt Jones took plenty of positives from his side's second half showing and insists lessons will be learned from a 25-minute spell before the interval when Cannock effectively killed off the game.

Despite a bright start, Grinstead found themselves 4-0 down at half-time but they rallied in the second half, scoring twice, being denied what looked a great shout for a penalty flick and creating countless other chances.

Jones said: “It was a game of two halves. We started well and they gave us a lot of respect but for some strange reason we tailed off after the first ten minutes. We stood out off men and were nowhere near as dynamic or forward thinking as we have been.

“Mark Pearn (player-coach) and I conducted a very deep and open half-time team talk when we asked the players to remember why and how we got to top spot, to believe in themselves and to go out and show some mettle, which they duly did.

“If some of the short corners and many chances we created had gone in we could quite easily finished level-pegging or even sneaked it.

“To back up how striking the reversal from first to second half was, Cannock said that was the hardest half of hockey they have had for a very long time.”

Goals from Martin Jones (two), Simon Ramsden and Andrew Langlands put

Cannock in control at the break. Darren Cheesman pulled one back within 30

seconds of the restart and Scott Ashdown reduced the deficit further to 4-2 but other chances were not converted.

Despite the defeat, Grinstead are just three points off top spot, with their only losses coming against the top two, and Jones believes they can look forward to the rest of the season with confidence.

He said: “We truly believe there is nobody in this league who we cannot beat. We have the capability, preparation, experience and right mental approach but we need to remember you cannot switch off. We need to make sure our brains are engaged and we apply ourselves for 70 minutes.

“Sometimes you need a little jolt to remind you what is required. It is not too late in the day to use this to our benefit.”  

Howard Griggs - The Argus, 14 November 2006

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