East Grinstead Town Edge Tunbridge Wells In Narrow Victory

East Grinstead Town secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Tunbridge Wells Foresters U14 Hunters in a league encounter held at the Grosvenor & Hilbert Recreation Ground on 4 May 2025. The match kicked off at 2:00pm and saw a modest attendance of 15 spectators, all eager to witness the clash between these two competitive sides.

East Grinstead Town lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for quick transitions to attack. Josh Goody took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Mason Terry on the right, Adam Bannister and Bobby Lindsay in central defence, and Tommy Clarabut on the left. The midfield was anchored by Dexter Sudbury and Conor O'Sullivan in central roles, with Toby Broughton on the right and Mason Malone on the left, providing width and support to the forwards. Up front, Haydon Davis and Harry Goodall were tasked with leading the line, looking to exploit any defensive lapses from the opposition.

The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses, but it was East Grinstead Town who struck first. In the 25th minute, Toby Broughton found the back of the net, scoring with his right foot after receiving a long pass from Mason Terry. This goal not only showcased Broughton's finishing ability but also highlighted Terry's vision and precision in delivering the assist.

As the first half progressed, East Grinstead maintained their lead, but the match took a turn in the 35th minute when Mason Malone had to be substituted due to injury. Tyler Pickering came on to replace him, adding fresh legs to the left midfield position just before the half-time whistle blew, signalling the end of the first 35 minutes.

The second half saw Tunbridge Wells Foresters pushing for an equaliser, but East Grinstead's defence held firm, with Bannister and Lindsay effectively thwarting any attempts to penetrate their backline. Goody remained alert in goal, ready to deal with any threats that came his way.

Despite several attempts from Tunbridge Wells to level the score, East Grinstead's disciplined performance ensured that they maintained their slender advantage. The referee, Tom Hayes, managed the game well, allowing for a fair contest while keeping a close eye on the physicality of the match.

As the final whistle blew, East Grinstead Town celebrated a well-deserved victory, having executed their game plan effectively and showcased their resilience. The match concluded with a scoreline of 1-0, a testament to the team's determination and tactical discipline.