YM target cup final after easing past East Grinstead

Three goals in eight first half minutes from Kevin Burgess, John Symons and Ashley Dugdale provided YM with an unassailable lead at the midway point in the first half, as a dejected Wasps side offered very little in the way of a response.

Grinstead defender Guy Harding did scrappily reduce the deficit just before the break, but that ultimately served as a mere consolation, as an even more one sided second period saw further strikes from Nick Sullivan and Lee Thomas complete the rout.

The win was particularly impressive as YM were without the injured Brad Curtis, Adam Hutchings, Dave Brown, James Day, Craig Grantham, Adam O’Carroll and Martin Smith.

YM coach Steve Barrow said: “The big difference for me from Saturday is that we relaxed. When we haven’t got the ball we ask the players to press and harry and do it in numbers, and then when we’ve got the ball there should be a mindset to relax.

“And tonight we actually did that. I don’t know whether it was because it was a cup game or what, but we just seemed to relax and people were playing with a smile on their face.

And he added: “We want a cup run and the club deserves a cup final. We’re only taking it a round at a time, but it would be a fitting reward for the people here to have that.”

YM now return to league action this Saturday, when they face third placed Littlehampton Town at Gorings Mead.

Barrow added: “Littlehampton are a bit of an unknown quantity for us. Obviously they’re up there and we’re definitely going to have to be on it.

“Pete’s got a very good selection headache. The guys that came in tonight have done themselves proud, and they’re continually knocking on the door and that’s what every manager wants.

YM (4-4-1-1): S Smith, D Sullivan, Burgess, Crane, Evans, Wood, Dugdale (R Curtis 45), Hunter (Gannon 71), Greig, Symons (Thomas 68), N. Sullivan.