Dodd’s on song in EP’s five-star show

The number of goals Dodd netted in the 5-1 win is up for debate as the County League has given him four goals, although EP boss Dominic Di Paola felt it was three as one of them had already crossed the line when Dodd bundled the ball home.

Either way, Di Paola was pleased with his side’s performance as they remain three points behind leaders Peacehaven, who won 2-0 at home to Selsey.

He said: “We were really good and we got back to how we were playing around August. We hadn’t been amazing for quite a while, so, hopefully, we can keep on at this level.

“Terry played well and got three goals, which is good for him and good for his confidence. As a striker, I think he’s claiming four goals but it was only three as Joe Shelley’s header had already crossed the line for our first goal.”

Shelley’s header from Richard Hudson’s cross, which was bundled home by Dodd, gave EP the lead on six minutes and Dodd doubled East Preston’s advantage on 25 minutes when he slotted home.

Shelley headed home the third from Matt Axell’s free kick six minutes into the second half, before East Grinstead got a goal back on 53 minutes when Ben Chick ghosted past three players and fired home after Marc Pullan and Lee Barnard had failed to clear.

Dodd, who is on loan to EP from Ryman League Premier Division Bognor, got on the end of a sweeping move, involving Hudson, Shelley and Fred Foreman to make it 4-1 on 63 minutes, before he netted again on 88 minutes from Foreman’s through ball.

EP gave a debut to keeper Tom Boyle, who has also joined on loan from Bognor.

Di Paola said: “Ant Ender, who has been really good for us, is struggling with work, so we’ve got Tom for as long as we’ve got Terry – until the end of February.

“Tom was brilliant on Saturday. He made three or four fantastic saves and his distribution was good.”

East Preston’s league match at Rye on Tuesday was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch.

EP host Lancing on Saturday, before they travel to bottom-of-the-table Worthing United on Tuesday.