Pearn puts winning at the top of his agenda

Posted: Tuesday 24th February 2009 | 16:43

EAST GRINSTEAD player coach Mark Pearn insists taking all six points from this weekend's double header is more important than personal glory.

Matt Jones' team face Loughborough Students at home on Saturday, before making the trip to Hampstead and Westminster on Sunday, and Pearn knows two wins will put the Sussex outfit in a strong position ahead of their clash against leaders Reading on March 7.

The former Great Britain international scored in East Grinstead's 2-0 win against Cannock at the weekend, to consign the Midlands side to their first league defeat of the season and climb to within five points of the second-placed outfit with a game in hand.

Pearn has now scored four goals in three league games, but he insists winning and not seeing your name on the scoresheet is all that counts at this stage of the season.

"It's nice to have seven goals this season, but the result is all that matters," he said.

"When I was younger and played up front, scoring goals was very important to me, but now I'm getting older, it doesn't matter as much,

"Playing in midfield, I don't get as many chances to score, but I've had a few chances in the last couple of weeks and made the most of them."

Although East Grinstead's main aim remains European qualification, Pearn hasn't given up hope of reeling in his former club Reading and landing the title.

"It's in Reading's hands," he added. "They have got a game in hand over Cannock, but they have still got some tough games to play, and it will be pretty tough to win them all.

"We are trying to pick up enough points to make sure we get into Europe again, and we will have to wait and see if other teams slip up."

Reading also have two games this weekend, travelling to fourth-placed Beeston on Saturday, before hosting Surbiton on Sunday, and two victories would see them stretch their lead to four points.

Elsewhere, Cannock host Loughborough Students and Beeston travel to bottom side Southgate.

Havant - who clawed themselves off the bottom this month with a first league victory - could climb to within a point of eighth place with a home win against Bowdon.

JO CARTER