On a cold, bitter winter's afternoon a rabble of Saints and Vets gathered behind a police station in Chichester for battle.   EG were playing the semi-final of the Sussex vets cup.

 

The game plan was – don’t let them score, this is usually a good plan except we had Chan (yet to keep a clean sheet ever!) in goal. Chi came out all guns blazing for the first 15 minutes resulting in a miss hit wide shot being deflected in off an EG player. With renewed vigour Grinstead set about pressing the Chi D, resulting in 2 quick short corners which were dispatched into the Chi net on the second strike both times to put EG in command of the game, well almost.

 

Chi in fact were a more talented team individually, but luckily for EG were not playing as a team. Grinstead continued to play as a team and went in at half-time at 2-2 with all to play for.

 

After an astute team talk from the captain, Cremin joined the team talk and repeated word for word what the captain had just told everyone so they all walked off to start the second half ignoring him.

 

EG started as they meant to carry on, keeping the ball away from Chi and with deadly accuracy from 3 yards DG converted a pass from the EG centre half to put Grinstead back into the lead. Another ten minutes later with a short corner awarded EG scored to take a 4-2 lead.

 

Chan then came into his own, defending 15 short corners to which Chi could not find the goal. EG were then awarded another short corner which again found the back board. 5-2 up and almost coasting except Ally Robertson managed to find a muscle to pull so weakened our midfield. Grinstead put on a brave front and held out till the last 5 minutes before Chi got a quick break on EG to bring the final score to 5-3.

 

Scorers: TBag 2, Yates 2, DG 1

 

EG will now play Lewis in the final on the 19^th April, they beat Worthing 3-2 in the other semi final.