Midhurst find no generosity in the Charity Cup

The game at Arundel had produced some good football and manager Trevor Waller was pleased with the result.

After a heavy frost, referee Steve Baker gave the thumbs-up for the game to go ahead and Midhurst looked the better side early on. Ollie Pearce was given his first full game and he soon showed what he could do.

Recent signing Jason Silver’s fierce shot was only just scrambled clear by keeper Mark Cox and the home side were under pressure.

Pearce cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper but the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and rebounded into play. Liam Dreckman struck the upright and the home side were rattled.

But against the run of play Ben Burns put East Grinstead ahead with a header from a Charlie Dods corner.

Six minutes later Michael Death drove in a shot which keeper Scott Lillywhite was unable to keep out.

The home side were getting into their stride and they added another two through Ben Chick and Dave Gellatly to make it 4-0 at the break.

On 65 minutes a heavy tackle by Harry Lowe saw the referee award the Stags a penalty but Silver’s attempt went over the bar.

Midhurst’s defence did well to prevent any goals in the second half and Nathan Castleton netted a consolation in the last ten minutes.

Now Midhurst need to get into a winning frame of mind again – starting versus Steyning on Saturday.

MIDHURST: Lillywhite, Castleton, Dummer, Taylor, Crawford, Saunders, Morrison, Rowlands, Pearce,

Silver, Dreckman, Colvan, Nazir.

TED DUMMER