EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 5 CRAY VALLEY (PM) 3 - 14 SEP 2021 - ATT 100
Goals: EGT - Sousa Pina 11, Walter 28*, 66, Sanogo 71,83
CV - Sammoutis 6, Barrington 34*, 70

*actual playing time, play was temporarily halted for 28 minutes due to power failure on 11 minutes.

Report by Richard J Green

IT’S AN OFTEN QUOTED FACT THAT CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PROMOTIONS AREN’T WON IN SEPTEMBER, but The Millers certainly haven’t made their task any easier with an unlikely defeat on this strangest of nights at The OHOB Community Stadium.
The mist swirling around the arena as kick-off approached was just an appetiser to what was to follow as Marcus Barrington missed the target from 12 yards as early as the fourth minute - Wasps keeper Matte Pierson slipping before spilling Hassan Ibrahiym’s long range effort.
Just two minutes later however, the deadlock was broken by a 30 yard rocket from Jack Sammoutis that flew into the roof of the net – the midfielder’s first goal for the Club on his 16th appearance.
What was to follow five minutes later however, was quite bizarre as a floodlight failure affecting two pylons at the far end of the pitch appeared to catch The Millers back line off guard – Marco Sousa Pina seizing possession before firing low past Chris Lewington in the visitors’ goal.
Following protests from the visitors, Referee Peter Conn eventually decided to take both teams from the field - a break that was to last twenty eight minutes.
Shortly after the restart came yet another delay – East Grinstead wide man Dylan Cascoe catapulting over the back of Nathaniel Blanks before landing on his head in front of the hosts dugout.
Chances then came and went at both ends – Ibrahiym firing wide from just outside the penalty area, before Lewington pulled off two fine saves to deny Kie Douglas.
The stalemate was broken however just before the half hour mark.
Referee Conn pointed to the spot as Millers defender Cem Tumkaya brought down Sousa Pina just inside the penalty area. Troy Walters’ spot kick was well saved low down by Lewington before the striker responded quickly to ram home the rebound.
It was a lead that was to last little more than five minutes however as Sammoutis played in leading scorer Barrington 20 yards out, Barrington firing low into the bottom corner past Pierson.
Shortly after the hour mark , this dull lifeless encounter “really” burst into life.
Sousa Pina took off on an excellent run down the left before squaring the ball for Walters to fire home his second.
And just three minutes later, parity was again restored. A low corner from Sammoutis somehow found it’s way to Barrington on the far side of the penalty area – Barrington again driving the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
And still the breathless action continued - this time a right wing run and cross from Wasps substitute Bobby Dunn was headed powerfully past Lewington by Sanogo to put the hosts 4-3 up.
As Valley looked to hit back, Connor Dymond had a header cleared off the line following a corner from Rory Hill before the game took a final, decisive turn eight minutes from the end.
What appeared to all to be no more than a coming together between Francis Babalola and a Wasps striker 20 yards out resulted in a booking for the Millers man and a free kick to East Grinstead.
Liam Montague’s fiercely struck free kick thundered against Lewington’s bar before Sanogo converted to secure the points for the hosts.
A fine performance from East Grinstead in securing only their second win of the season with an all action display, allowing the visitors little time to settle into playing a passing game of football, while attacking the defence with a succession of rapier like attacks.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – HASSAN IBRAHIYM – All action display from The Millers creative spark. Provided valuable support to Barrington throughout

MATCH RATING: - ****

WASPS : Pierson, Okoro, Montague, Carter, Cooney, Wilson, Sousa Pina (Walters-Wright 79), Sanogo, Walters, Douglas (Nyame 84), Cascoe (Dunn 43)
Not Used : Edwards, Radojevic
Cautions : Carter, Sanogo, Cooney, Wilson, Walters-Wright

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Green, Semakula, Blanks ©, Tumkaya, Sammoutis (Tomlin 72), Barrington, Babalola, Warren, Ibrahiym (Hill 73)
Not Used : Gayle, Morath-Gibbs, Beerling
Caution : Babalola

Referee : Peter Conn
Assistants : Daniel Cooper and Nick Blogg

Pic – Francis Babalola charges at the Wasps defence on an amazing night in Sussex

Match photos by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos

East Grinstead viewpoint
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