16th April 2001
 

Alfold 1:3 Upper Beeding
(HT:0-3)

As Upper Beedings' West Sussex Premier Division surge continued with their
nineteenth consecutive win at Alfold on Saturday, their only remaining
challengers, could only manage a 1-1 draw at The Ship Aldwick.

The results mean that Beeding need just two wins from their remaining six
fixtures to ensure that the West Sussex Championship would come to the
village for the first time.

Alfold though were in no mood for capitulation and if they had played in the
first half as they did the second, the result would not have been so
comfortable for the league leaders.

Just seven minutes into the encounter, Goalkeeper Scott Redferns clearance
was brilliantly controlled by Mark Salter as he swept the ball on for Mat
Doo to draw Alfold 'keeper Domonic Hutton before sliding the ball into an
empty net.

Mark Salter then had a swerving free kick acrobatically turned over by
Hutton after a foul on Glyn Edmonds.

Beeding went two up after twenty one minutes. Paul Barker burst down the
right hand side and crossed low for Mark Salter who took the ball wide of
Hutton before cutting it back for Doo to chip his second over a flailing
defender.

The match looked over on the half hour. The ever busy Mark Salter threading
a through ball to Stuart Barry and, despite the intervention of Huttons'
fingertips, his lofted chip found its' desired target.

It was as if Beeding had decided that 3-0 would do as they took their feet
off the gas and played out the remaining minutes of the half.

If they thought that it was going to be a second half stroll they were
mistaken as Alfold charged remorselessly down the slope pressurising Jamie
Ireson, Steve Barber and Gary Salter.

Beeding seemed apathetic to the challenge and it came as no surprise when
Alfold pulled a goal back after sixty nine minutes, when Redfern was beaten
from close range.

Gary Salter twisted a knee and had to be replaced and it is testament to
Mick Barrys' squad that, in the unexplained absence of Wayne Potbury, it was
Burgess Hills' Sean Edwards who took to the field.

In fairness, although Alfold worked extremely hard and held the major share
of possession, they did not really create any clear cut scoring chances.
These continued, albeit on the break, to fall to Beeding.

Edmonds might have done better with a header which Hutton flipped over, Dave
Smith blazed over when clean through, Salters' chip beat both Hutton and the
bar and Doo spoilt his chance of a hat trick blasting wide with only Hutton
to beat.

Beeding need to win at Stedham on Saturday to set up a potential title
winning home fixture with Cowfold on Monday evening.

Upper Beeding: Redfern; J. Ireson, S. Barber, G. Salter; G. Edmonds,
D. Smith, J. Burgess (capt), P. Barker, M. Salter;
M. Doo, S.Barry.

Subs: S. Edwards (Salter 73")
M. Friend - James (Smith 80")
V. Gretton (n.u.)