Keeper Woodward is facing make or break
GOALKEEPER Adam Woodward has promised to turn his indiscipline around as East Grinstead manager Tony Beckingham gives him his final chance at the club.
The 21-year-old is due to start a suspension next week after his second sending off of the season and Beckingham initially told the youngster he had played his last game for the Wasps, but has now accepted the keeper back after he apologised.
"I suspended Adam last weekend on top of the suspension the league are now going to give him, but I spoke to him and he's now back in the fold," Beckingham explained.
"Adam has said he is committed to the club and will sort his discipline out.
"This is really make or break for him and East Grinstead now."
With the help of Woodward, the Wasps arrested a mini slump with a narrow victory over Ringmer and Beckingham admits he is looking forward to facing Crawley Down in the next round.
"We probably could have done with someone easier than Crawley Down," he admitted.
"It should be a good match and with it being a local derby might generate bit of extra interest."
With the departures of Luke Piscina and Chris Dicker, manager Beckingham wasted no time in finding replacements in Danny Baszant, who should some nice touches in midfield and left back Lloyd Anthony who made a promising debut. Striker Ramon Whorns, formerly with Woking, came on as a late replacement to make his debut.
On the back of two consecutive defeats Wasps were clearly lacking confidence and this was evident in their first-half performance.
Both sides struggled to make any impression and although there was some good passing football neither goalkeeper was ever threatened as the game was mainly played in the midfield areas as the sides probed for openings.
Ringmer provided a couple of minor threats when Marc Whiteman crossed from the left for Mark Price but Anthony was on hand to avert the danger and then Price nearly connected with an in-swinging free-kick at the far post.
Grinstead started the second half brighter and they were rewarded on 53 minutes, although the goal was a gift. A harmless defensive throw in by Adam Hunt was not controlled by Jason Sowter on the edge of his own penalty area, Richard Sinden was alert to nick the ball and was free on goal. Sowter tried to redeem his error but only managed to haul Sinden down in the box. A penalty was awarded and Sowter received his marching orders. Liam Baitup's spot-kick was saved low down by Tom Rand but Sinden converted the rebound.
This gave Grinstead impetus and suddenly they started to play with some fluency and four minutes later it was 2-0. A swift move down the right ended in Keiran Wilson producing a pin-point cross for Baitup who volleyed in from close range.
Grinstead were on top but Ringmer were thrown a lifeline. A corner from the left was controlled with the out-stretched arm of Ryan MacMillan which enabled him to volley past keeper Adam Woodward. The only people in the ground who didn't see it were the referee and his assistants and the goal stood.
This gave Ringmer some confidence and they started to exert some pressure but Grinstead saw out the game and Baitup nearly got a late goal from Tom Moffatt's cross.
Grinstead: Woodward, Wilson, Anthony, Sinclair, Cooney, Featherstone, Collier, Wallace (Moffatt), Sinden (Whorms), Baitup, Baszant (Gellatly).







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