A unique partnership is spearheading East Grinstead's bid to recapture past glories.

Former England under-21 man Ian Pattison has taken over as player-coach and he is being assisted by his partner, Janina Jedamzik, who is the only woman manager in the National League.

The arrangement is certainly unusual as Jedamzik has no background in hockey but, after two wins from their first three games, the set-up could be just what Grinstead needed.

Rather than being a hands-on manager, like a number in the National League, Jedamzik lets Pattison concentrate on the hockey side while she deals with the administration.

Jedamzik, a 20-year-old German who is studying economics at Sussex University, said: "I do all the administration and Ian does all the hockey and coaching.

"The start has been very nice. We seem to be a changed team.

"The boys are very pleased I don't get involved in the hockey but they have welcomed me extremely well. I love it and it gives me some experience."

Pattison is in his third season with Grinstead. He previously played for Havant, appearing in two European Cups and winning the National League. He is also an EHA scholarship coach and teaches hockey at Hurstpierpoint College.

He said: "I knew last year's manager, John Murphy, wasn't able to do it and we were looking for someone to do the management side. We wanted someone who could do all the administration side of the job without necessarily having any knowledge of hockey.

"I was in Germany in the summer, going on a five-mile run, mulling over who could do it and it suddenly occurred to me that Janina could.

"She has never played hockey but is incredibly organised and has far too much time on her hands!

"I do all the hockey side. She is doing all the administration in terms of getting things organised, shirts, bottles, medi-kits, booking hotels and player registrations. And the communication channels are obviously quite good between us!

"I was nervous at the start about how the players would react to having a female manager but the boys have welcomed it and are enjoying it. It has been a positive experience for us all."

On Sunday Grinstead look to extend their good start with a trip to Hertfordshire to take on Blueharts.

Former East Grinstead man Ian Hutchinson comes into the Lewes squad for their match at home to Barford Tigers in division one.

Horsham welcome back Andy Simmons from holiday for their match at home to Herne Bay in the Kent/Sussex Regional League. Simmons replaces the unavailable Dom Cohen.

Lewes: Speight, McConachie, Champness. Ibbotsen, Hooker, Owen, Hill, Poulsen, Hurle, Edmonds, Stubbs, Garner, van Tromp, Bettesworth, Hutchinson.

East Grinstead: Dakin, Harmes, Turk, Thomas, Holland, Perriss, Male, Howarth, B. Payne, R. Payne, Pearce, Pattison, Horne, Medcalf, King.

Chichester: Jones, Pywell, Dunn, Turner, Pendle, Stremes, Dougal, Beer, Lane-Smith, Lock, Savory.

Brighton: Westwood, Ashdown, Meldew, Acott, Baker, Shirley, Page, Pruce, Delea, Missirian, Love, Daniels, Samak, Nagey, Butcher, Karps, Turnball.

Crawley: Thornston, Butterfield, Carter, Anguige, Sayers, Watkins, Frimley, Higgs, Evans, Shuttleworth, Rai, Innes, Peach, Gosden.

Horsham: Burlinson, Ford, Simms, Charlesworth, Billington, Down, Beer, Ashton, Blakeley, Lowe, Ansell, Brown, Simmons.

Mid Sussex: Purdie, Green, Musson, Toomer, Fitzpatrick, Wood-Allum, Jourdain, Hobden, Dovey, Middleton, Newton, Crossley.

Worthing: Godsmark, Jarrett-Kerr, Godber, Martin, Fuller, Massie, Ansell, Clanger, Holloway, Edmondson, Duncan, Minchell, Gough.

Tomorrow's fixtures Southern Premier: Eastcote v Chichester.

Kent/Sussex Regional League: Brighton & Hove v Old Williamsonians, Gillingham Anchorians v Crawley, Horsham v Herne Bay, Mid Sussex v Blackheath, Worthing v Ashford.

Kent/Sussex Division One: BBHC v Crowborough, Maidstone v Eastbourne, Middleton & Bognor v New Beccehamians.

Sunday National League division one: Lewes v Barford Tigers. Division two: Blueharts v East Grinstead.

EHA Men's Trophy 1st rnd: Horsham v Crawley, Mid Sussex v Holcombe.

EHA Women's Trophy 1st rnd: Middleton & Bognor Royals v Brighton & Hove.