Saturday 10th March 2001

UPPER BEEDING     4-0       STEDHAM UNITED
            (H-T: 2-0)
 
 

"From the sublime to the ridiculous"  was Upper Beedings damming indictment
of the difference in his sides' performance in disposing of Stedham on
Saturday compared to their win at Rustington the week before.

And it was poor. Lee Strange should have opened the scoring after just six
minutes, heading straight at the Stedham Keeper from six yards.

Wayne Potbury did open the scoring after 13 minutes. Dave Smith and Strange
combined well on the left. The ball was played into Potbury 25 yards out and
the striker made no mistake with a cracking 25 yard drive.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Matt Doo burst into the Stedham penalty
area and pulled the ball back for Strange to see his shot come back off the
'keeper but straight to Paul Barker. His attempted shot was turned in off a
post by the alert Strange.

The rest of the first half was eminently forgettable although Beeding did
loose Doo (dead leg) to be replaced by Stuart Barry five minutes before the
break.

Three minutes after the interval Glyn Edmonds was unceremoniously hauled
down 25 yards out and took no further part being replaced by Lewis
Partridge.

Potburys' curling free kick was met with force by the evergreen Steve Barber
to put Beeding three up.

The half progressed with Beeding giving the ball to Stedham and Stedham,
very kindly, giving it back.  And so it went on. Barber complained of
boredom. He should have been watching.

As the meagre crowd drifted towards the Kings Head it was left to Wayne
"drag back" Potbury to sum up the game with a freak of a goal.

Strange pressurised the Stedham 'keeper 35 yards out. the ball broke to
Potbury. With the finesse of a young rhino his ballooned shot from 40 yards,
  bounced over two flailing defenders and into the gaping net. At least he
did not have the cheek to
celebrate..........................................................
 

Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; J. Ireson, S. Barber, G. Salter; G. Edmonds, P.
Barker, M. Doo,
D. Smith, M. Salter (capt); W. Potbury, L. Strange.

Subs: S. Barry  (Doo 40")
L. Partridge (Edmonds 55")

Stedham United Res. 2:6 Upper Beeding