(Photo: Mark Pearn is given some close attention by Poznan's Piotr Fedejko)East Grinstead made hard work of earning points off the Poles from AWF Poznan in their first match in the 2009-10 EuroHockey League here in Paris this afternoon. Neither team seemed to get into its rhythm and English side were well into the second period before Gareth Carr opened the scoring from a penalty corner.
Although looking the better of the two sides, a defensive lapse by 'Grinstead nine minutes into the second half let Waldamar Rataj though to score an equaliser. It looked as if the possibility of being eliminated in Round 1 spurred East Grinstead into action and Ben Payne scored to restore their lead.
In the closing minutes of the match, EG began to play flowing and attacking hockey and were rewarded with two goals, the first from Carr and the second from David De Prez from a penalty corner. Final score 4-1 to East Grinstead. Their next match is against the strong Dutch side of Amsterdam tomorrow (Saturday). However, on the strength of the win against the Poles, 'Grinstead have almost certainly qualified for the next round, barring an upset when the Poznan play Amsterdam on Sunday.
The English will have a double investment in this weekend as Beeston meet Leuven tomorrow. Leuven, who had been considers as outsiders, shocked everyone when they got through to last season's semi fin als.
