It was a largely dominant performance from the Crows, who once again came together as a unit to make it count, sealing a well-earned 4–3 away win and another three points on the board.

We started brightly, with Aiye and Pearson both putting the East Grinstead defence under real pressure inside the first 15 minutes. Chances came close, but not quite close enough. Then, completely against the run of play, East Grinstead found themselves ahead in the 18th minute. Harsh, given how dominant we’d been, but if there’s one thing this team loves, it’s a bit of drama and keeping us on our toes (as thr last 15 will also prove!)

Injuries forced some early changes. Pring was replaced by Muggeridge in the 26th minute, and just four minutes later Turner was forced off after a heavy collision, with Reed coming on in his place. Thankfully, our strong bench meant we could adapt without losing momentum.

East Grinstead picked up their first yellow in the 36th minute for a foul on Foster, and just two minutes later Aiye, keen to keepnup his own momentum from the previous matc, hit back in style, slotting home to bring us level.
The game grew fiery as half-time approached. East Grinstead’s number 8 was booked in the 39th minute for a kick on Foster, followed by a yellow for their dugout in the 44th. We picked up one ourselves on 45 minutes, giften to Lambden, but before anyone could settle for the break, Pearson stepped up. In stoppage time, he buried one in the 45+3 to give us the lead our play deserved.

Half-Time: East Grinstead 1–2 Crowborough

The second half kicked off with more of the same, East Grinstead collecting yet another yellow, this time in the 48th minute for playing too rough with our J. Mayhew. A substitution followed for the hosts, but their new arrival, number 16, didn’t last long before joining the growing list in the referee’s book in the 51st.

Moments later came one of the goals of the game. A thunderous strike from Mayhew, followed by a perfectly timed header from Pearson, stretched our lead to 3–1 in the 52nd minute.
Ajayi made way for Boddy shortly after, and just two minutes later Foster finally got the goal he’s been chasing for the last few games, making it 4–1 to the Crows.

From there, the game turned scrappy. East Grinstead’s keeper even ventured up into midfield at one point, and as the ball pinged around between players, we could only give credit to him for remembering he couldn’t catch it!

More changes followed, Aiye off for Killick on 64 minutes, and Goldsmith, marking his 100th appearance for the Crows, replaced by Ajao in the 72nd. Boddy wasted no time showing his worth, putting in vital challenges when it mattered most, one in which was pure mastery.

Then came what could have been our fifth. The ball bobbed around the box in a frantic scramble before the final effort was shot just fractions over the bar, agonisingly close. Little did we know, that 5th would have made the final 10 more bearable! Whether it was frustration or fatigue setting in after such a relentless shift, we started to lose our rhythm slightly.

H. Mayhew went into the book in the 83rd for a challenge on the edge of the box. The free kick came to nothing, but East Grinstead converted from the resulting corner to make it 2–4. Just three minutes later, a penalty was awarded, and suddenly the scoreline read 3–4 with the clock ticking down.

Eight anxious minutes followed, three of normal time and five added on, and truth be told, it’s all a bit of a blur. The nerves had set in for the supporters, and I had my eyes shut for most of it!

But the Crows stood firm. Determined, resilient, and together, they saw it out to claim all three points on the road.
Another thrilling display that had us feeling every moment from the touchline. This team dont always do things the easy way, but they certainly make it worth it and we stand with them at every step.

A huge shoutout to Marcus Goldsmith, celebrating his 100th appearance for the club, a fantastic milestone and the countdown starts to the next.
Man of the Match goes to Pearson, for his brace, his work rate, and for leading by example from start to finish.

Next up, Croydon Athletic at home on Tuesday 14th October.