Grinstead regret missed opportunities

 

Grinstead were without Jackson and Cheesman who were at a GB U20 training camp as they lost to Loughborough Students 2-1 on Sunday.

 

Neither the result or the performance will give the club cause for concern. Instead it merely confirmed how open the top division will be this year.

 

After two games, all ten teams have dropped points; with Grinstead unable to build on their opening day win at Surbiton.

 

They made an uncomfortable start against Loughborough, perhaps missing the guile of the England U21 duo but went ahead on 16mins with a well-worked goal. An initial burst by player coach Mark Pearn started the move and when the ball was recycled Pearn was on hand to finish well.

 

In the closing stages of the half, Ben Payne was denied by a fantastic save from visiting keeper Ali McGregor, Dave De Prez failed to get much of a connection when presented with another chance and youngster Will Arthur slipped his chance wide of the post moments later.

 

Grinstead were well and truly on top at that stage but they were pegged back 8 mins after the restart when Tim Cockram scored from Loughborough’s fourth short corner. For a while, the fluency disappeared from Grinstead’s game as Loughborough got men behind the ball and to EG’s dismay Dave Appleton scored the winner from a fast break late on.

 

Grinstead travel to early season table toppers Reading HC on Saturday for the 5.30pn match, which will undoubtedly be a big test for both sides.

 

Taken from The Argus Newspaper – written by Howard Griggs – Tuesday 17^th October