14th April 2001
 

Cowfold 1:2 Upper Beeding

On a heavy and uneven surface Upper Beeding made hard work of their away win
at Cowfold on Saturday.

But, take nothing away from the home side who closed the ball early and
pressurised their high flying visitors into uncharacteristic errors and, at
times reduced them to petty bickering amongst themselves.

As early as the tenth minute Jamie Ireson felt the full power of John
Bradshaws' right foot as the Beeding defender blocked a thunderous goal
bound shot.

It was Cowfold's local knowledge which kept them in the ascendancy as the
conditions demanded early release of the football and a route one approach.

Lee Strange did have a chance to put Beeding ahead just after the half hour
when he beat the 'keeper to Paul Barkers' deep cross, only to see his goal
ward poke cleared off the line.

A minute after the break Bradshaws' header, from Anthony Parsons' cross,
tested Scott Redfern. But from the Beeding custodians clearance, Mark Salter
galloped down the left and crossed deep for Glyn Edmonds to finish with a
crisp volley at the back post.

Far from settling the League leaders, Beeding looked more tense and out of
sorts wallowing through the mud.

Edmonds did open up the Cowfold back line after twenty one minutes but Wayne
Potbury's strike was well saved.

A minute later, Potbury found Barker, who skipped two tackles and slipped
the ball to Strange inside the Cowfold penalty area. Stranges' prodded,
first time pass found David Smith. Smiths' delicate drag back, turn and
strike doubled Beedings' lead.

The two goal advantage was short lived as Steve Barber, despite his pleas to
the contrary, was definitely guilty of upending Parsons in the box and the
Cowfold striker regained his composure to strike his spot kick low into the
bottom corner
beyond the reach of Redferns' right hand.

Bradshaw should have equalised after seventy three minutes when a bouncing
ball deceived Redfern but the experienced Cowfold striker failed to hit the
target with the goal at his mercy.

Barber, Ireson and Gary Salter held firm in the remaining minutes and
Beeding had chances to relieve their anxieties. In the end they were happy
to come away with three more valuable points.

Post match, Manager Mick Barry said "All credit to Cowfold, their work rate
was excellent and they certainly gave us a game." "However, my boys proved
today that they can mix it when necessary and we'll be ready for Alfold on
Monday." "My main disappointment was some of our talking. We really must
start to encourage each other more. After all is said, with seven games to
go, we need eleven points to be certain of the Championship and we will only
achieve this if we are together, as a side, mentally as well as
physically."

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

Subs: M. Doo (Barker 75")
S. Barry (Potbury 80")
L. Partridge (n.u)