Heartbreak for 10 men Roffey: Roffey 1 – 2 East Grinstead

Roffey welcomed East Grinstead to the Fusion Aviation stadium for this clash between two of the Premier’s promotion chasers. The night started so well for the Boars but ended in disappointment after Callum Chesworth was controversially sent off, leaving them to play seventy minutes with ten men.

After three minutes a Luke Harrison throw in found Jordan Mase in the penalty area. The Boars skipper found Chesworth who cut the ball back for Callum Kilkenny to sweep the ball inside the far post for an early lead. Roffey were quickly into their passing rhythm, breaking up Grinstead attacks and playing their way up the field confidently. After seven minutes a short corner routine ended Byron Napper’s shot being blocked for another corner as the visitors were pushed back.

Grinstead came close on eleven minutes when Kieron Pamment got down the left and fired a shot across goal just missing the far post. Ex Hornet Charlie Harris attempted a ‘Diego Gomez’ long shot when he saw Monty Watson-Price, deputising for Charlie Burton who was playing for Bromley in the FA Youth Cup, off his line. His effort however cleared the bar. At the other end, a free kick was worked to Bailey Moyo who got past his marker, but his cross could only find Harry Howes in the Wasps’ goal.

Roffey’s high press was keeping Grinstead in most of the time but Watson Price had to be quick out of his area to block Pamment’s run when he had been beaten the offside. Grinstead regained possession and the ball was played into the area where Napper, under pressure from Dan Cole, deflected the ball over Watson-Price and into the net. The Wasp’s joy was short lived as the linesman decided that Cole was offside when the ball was played into the box.

Then came the key moment in the game. Chesworth turned away from his marker but the ball ran away from him and he put in a challenge to win it back which he appeared to have done but in doing so made contact with an opponent and the referee blew for the kick, told the Roffey striker that it was never a red card and took out his yellow. Then for some reason he changed his mind and to the surprise of most people in the ground, showed a red card.

So, with seventy minutes left, Roffey had to face one of the best teams in the league with a man less. How would they adapt? The answer was soon apparent, they continued in virtually the same manner with Mase and others getting forward to fill the gap that Chesworth’s departure had left. They continued they’re passing game, but Grinstead now had added momentum and Jack Meeres blocked a shot for a corner which after a couple of headers, ended up in Watson-Price’s arms. The Roffey stopper then had to go down sharply to his left to keep out a shot from Starkey with Meeres tidying up the rebound.

As half time approached Roffey continued to have the most possession, Mase and Gibson had shots blocked and after a long spell of possession around the Wasp’s penalty area, Howes saved Pat Gibbs drive. Watson-Price comfortably took a shot from Harris. Roffey were still getting forward earning corners and putting pressure on the visitors and when Grinstead threatened through Pamment and Cascoe Rogers, Meeres and Gibbs repelled everything coming into the box. Half time arrived with the balance of the game the same as when it had been 11v11.

Roffey started the second half with the same ten and showed no sign of sitting back and holding on. Callum Kilkenny was replaced by Evan Hoarty on fifty minutes after a knock but this made no difference to the Boars approach. Gibbs headed away when Perry looked like he was going into get onto a cross 8 yards out.

Roffey were getting forward in numbers and when Mase got to the byline and pulled the ball back, it was right back, Luke Harrison he found, unfortunately Harrison’s shot missed the far post by inches. Mase again got behind the defence, this time finding Moyo whose shot could not beat Howes. A third chance to get the important second goal came when Hoarty weaved his way into a shooting position but could not get the contact he would have wanted with the shot which was again saved by Howes.

As often seems to happen a missed chance at one end is followed by a goal at the other. Cooper headed wide from a corner then for the first time Pamment found some space in the Boars defence and finished clinically for the equaliser. Tom Caplin came on for Bailey Moyo and as we entered the last ten minutes, Teddy Wood, who had covered every blade of 3G grass was replaced by Max Mesquita. Both teams were still in the hunt for the three points with Omar Folkes adding to the Grinstead forward line but as we entered stoppage time, maybe fatigue finally got the Boars who couldn’t clear a corner and after a scramble it was Folkes who managed to force it home. Cue wild celebrations from the visitors and their bench.

Roffey pinned Grinstead in their half for the last three minutes but couldn’t find the final touch to get an equaliser. They did get the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. It had been great effort with ten men for most of the game but looking back the Boars will know they had created the chances to win the game. Small margins count in the end and although they received great compliments from the opposition and their supporters the young Boars were left with a feeling of frustration. They will have a chance to get back on the winning trail on Saturday at Little Common.

Roffey: Watson-Price, Harrison, Gibson, Napper, Gibbs, Meeres, Wood(Mesquita), Mase, Chesworth, Kilkenny(Hoarty), Moyo(Caplin) Subs: Allen, Berry.