In their penultimate league game of the season, EG recorded a convincing 8-0 victory over a weak Mid Sussex team that has remained at the bottom of the league table all season.

EG began the match rather tentatively, with passes going astray and too many unforced errors.  Indeed, Mid Sussex started more positively and looked threatening at times.  However, to their credit, EG played their way into the match and opened the scoring after 11 minutes with a deflected goal from Louise Keith following an EG penalty corner.

Three minutes later, EG extended their lead through an excellent individual goal from JoJo Blunt, driving into the circle from the left.

Mid Sussex battled hard and threatened the EG circle on occasion, although Nikki Robinson was solid in goal for Grinstead, along with Louise Shaill as sweeper and Nicky Hampstead at centre back.  Indeed, EG’s third goal was the result of some composed passing at the back, and patient build-up play through the EG midfield.  Louise Keith scored her second, with another deflection, this time following an accurate strike from Nicky Hampstead.

EG scored a further two goals towards the end of the first half, both breakaway goals; the first from left-midfield Caroline Judd and the second from Vicky Griffiths.  The half-time score was 5-0 to EG.

The second half did not see as many goals as the first, in part due to hard work in defence from Mid Sussex, but also because EG did not maintain the pace or urgency of the first half.  Nevertheless, EG continued to build some effective attacking moves, in particular down the left - through Caroline Judd, Emma Pearson and Briony Bray.  Keith scored her hat-trick following another EG penalty corner, seven minutes into the second half.

Vicky Griffiths scored her second goal three minutes later, converting a well-timed and accurate pass from Ellie Farrow at right back.

The EG forwards created several further opportunities during the next 15 minutes, but without success.

EG’s eighth goal came 23 minutes into the second half, with an impressive fourth goal from centre forward Louise Keith.  This was created by a clever turn of pace from Steph Baggett and a skilful run into the Mid Sussex circle.

The final result was 8-0 to EG, who remain fourth in the league table, now just one point behind Worthing.  EG meet Eastbourne next Saturday in the last league match of the season.  The real focus, however, will be on EG Ladies 2’s – who need a draw from their last league game to gain promotion from Sussex Division 2 to Division 1.  In an exciting end of season for EG, their Ladies 3’s have already gained promotion from Sussex Division 4 to Division 3.