East Grinstead 4
Jersey 2
T Millar; Dudley (pen)
WHEN you’re in against heavyweights, at some point you’re going to take a hit.
That was the case for Jersey in Sussex on Saturday, as Tom Millar’s men fell to an agonising 4-2 defeat to East Grinstead’s second XI in the semi-final of England Hockey’s Tier-2 Championship.
That the Island side were even at this stage is remarkable enough, given the competition includes some of England’s brightest young talent, playing for storied clubs.
East Grinstead are four-time national champions and regular participants in the Euro Hockey League, comprising the continent’s best teams. Last time Jersey were at this stage, they were on the end of a 10-3 thrashing by Repton, who included two internationals.
In a young East Grinstead unit, full of running and quality in the attacking third, Jersey found an obstacle they could not overcome but, despite falling at this stage for the second time in their history, signs of progress are there to see.
Sam Habin was cruelly denied early on, deflecting in a whistling drive into his path from Bill Millar – only for it to be ruled out by the umpire given the alleged interference of a foot, much to the chagrin of the Jersey forward.
The game’s star man, Josh Barrott, then provided a moment of outstanding quality to open the scoring.
Picking the ball up from just outside his own D, the Grinstead playmaker weaved his way into the top quarter of the pitch, combining with Will Denny. Barrott proceeded to take the return pass, finishing at pace past Piers Brandie.
The lead was short-lived, as skipper Millar showed all his quality with a composed finish just a minute later, although parity did not last long.
After Brandie’s parry off a Tom Tyers hit, 16-year-old Kent Sheard picked up the pieces to get the ball under his spell and then smash high past the Caesarean shot-stopper, who did well to get himself back on his feet.
Jack Webb added a third soon after the break – a sumptuous reverse-hit finish after picking off a short Tom Sibley pass along the back line – before Sheard registered an equally sublime fourth.
He was teed up by Luke Holland’s mazy run into the D and without looking up, Sheard reverse smashed low into the corner, with very little lift of his stick.
Joel Dudley added a late consolation with a penalty stroke and even though it was deserved given Jersey’s attacking stats – nine penalty corners and 15 attempts on goal just part of the tale – they were ultimately beaten by a fitter, more efficient group.
‘Right now, having come straight off the pitch, it’s pretty raw,’ said captain Millar at full time. ‘We’re gutted we couldn’t get over the line, as we felt we did lots of things well.
‘I think you have to put things into context. We play such a small number of competitive games as a group, so to get to this stage against these sorts of teams is an unbelievable achievement.
‘We’ve still got lots to learn and understand, but experiences like this will only help us. To come here and play at this sort of venue, on a water-based pitch with lots of supporters, the music blaring – it makes you hungry for more.
‘I’ve been playing in this competition since 2007 and it’s only the second time we’ve reached this stage, so that shows how difficult it is.
‘We’ll continue to enjoy our club hockey but we’ll definitely be back for another crack at this next season and as long as they want me, of course I want to be a part of that.’
Jersey: Piers Brandie, Tom Bolton, Joel Dudley, Ned Crosby, Robbie Forrest, Peter Millar, Jamie Bolton, Tom Millar, Phil Cuming, Tom Sibley, Simon Hurry, Bill Millar, Sam Dunstan, Sam Habin.
