It took the visitors just 13 minutes to take the lead at East Court. An under hit back pass was intercepted by Phoenix striker Jeff Duah-Kessie who calmly rounded Sheikh Ceesay in the East Grinstead goal and rolled the ball in to the unguarded net.

A few minutes later the hosts came close to equalising when Marcus Elliott hit a powerful drive from 25 yards but Steve Phillips in the visitors goal did well to tip it on to the crossbar and out for a corner.

Midway through the first half East Grinstead had another good opportunity when Sid Sollis found himself bearing down on goal with what looked like just the keeper to beat but just as he was about to get his shot off out of nowhere came Danny Young who produced an excellently timed goal saving tackle.

On the half hour mark the hosts again went close when first a header was deflected on to the post and then from the resulting corner Leo Mazzone got up well to direct his header towards the bottom corner but Phillips did well to get down and hold on to it.

Seven minutes from the break it was Phillips who was again called in to action, this time after a Sollis shot was deflected it landed at the feet of Marcus Elliott who did well to spin and get a shot off but the Phoenix keeper again made a very good save with his feet.

On the stroke of half time the visitors could and should have doubled their lead. Tony Robinsons throw was helped in to the box by a Kweku Ansah header and Duah-Kessie hit a shot on the turn over the bar when he had more time than he thought.

H.T East Grinstead Town 0 – 1 Phoenix Sports

Two minutes after the break East Grinstead were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal when Alfie Aldridge fouled Elliott. From the resulting free kick Steven Sargent struck a very good shot which look destined for the top corner but yet again Phillips made a great save somehow managing to tip it round the post.

On the 56th minute East Grinstead were reduced to 10 men when Leo Mazzone was given his marching orders after a second booking for a late challenge on Duah-Kessie.

Five minutes later Phoenix got their second, a good run and a very well weighted through ball from club stalwart Ryan Andrews found Kweku Ansah who finished well dinking the ball over the oncoming East Grinstead keeper.

Shortly after Phoenix defender Ashley Probets was also given his marching orders after a second booking which was given for dissent.

Thirteen minutes from time the away side made sure of the win. A determined run by Ansah got him inside the box and as he went to release his pass he was fouled from behind by Karn Miller-Neave resulting in a penalty. Duah-Kessie made no mistake from the spot sending Ceesay the wrong way and wrapping up the points for Phoenix.

In the 87th minute East Grinstead grabbed a late consolation when a deflected cross landed at the feet of Sollis who tapped in from close range.

F.T East Grinstead Town 1 – 3 Phoenix Sports

Attendance 106

East Grinstead Town: Ceesay, Emptage, Miller-Neave (B.Wilson 79), M.Wilson, Tennent, Cooney, Mazzone, Sargent, Elliott, Sollis, Smith (Everett79).

Subs not used Springett, Bray, Deen.

Phoenix Sports: Phillips, Andrews, Probets, Hopkins, Young, Barry, Robinson ,Bryon, Duah-Kessie (Mundle-Smith 83), Aldridge (Bird 75).

Subs not used Mingle, Abraham, Kehinde.

Article written by Jamie Brown