EG add to points tally but rue missed opportunity

Matt Jones refused to be downbeat after his East Grinstead side were made to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Beeston.

The result saw Grinstead slip to third in the National Premier Division on

goal difference but seven points from the first 12, including wins at

Surbiton and Reading, has already exceeded expectations.

 

Grinstead did everything right against promoted Beeston, apart from wrapping

up victory after Ben Payne had put them ahead from a short corner rebound

after 52 minutes.

 

George Pinner, the visitors’ England under-21 goalkeeper, produced a

tremendous display to prevent Grinstead adding to their total and a goal

from Mohammed Nadeem 11 minutes from time secured a point for Beeston.

Manager Jones said: “We would dearly have loved to have got all three points

but at this relatively early stage of the season each point is valuable. We

don’t consider it dropping two points, we see it as yet another point gained.

 

“Having come off the back of a significant milestone in East Grinstead’s

development, having beaten the English champions on their turf the week

before, it would be easy to think coming home against a promoted side would

have been a much easier proposition. But we didn’t do that. We were very

professional and very motivated.”

 

Howard Griggs – The Argus 31st October 2006

 

Scorer: Ben Payne