Saturday 24th February 2001

FERRING 2:4 UPPER BEEDING
(H-T: 2-2)

"It looked like they had held the Ferring annual ploughing match down the
middle of the pitch and the grass on the flanks was almost ready for silage"
was Bedding manager Mick Barrys' damming indictment of the state of the
pitch after watching his team struggle to their twelfth straight win in all
competitions.

As a spectacle the game was nothing short of appalling, as conditions
dictated a long ball game with Beeding trying to feed Lee Strange and Stuart
Barry in the channels. And after 14 minutes they were successful. Matt Doos'
ball over the top saw the Ferring back line appealing for off side, but as
referee Sumner waved play on Strange finished at the second attempt.

Beeding went further ahead four minutes later. The Ferring keeper had done
well to keep out Mark Salters effort but had little chance with Steve
Barbers' thumping header from the resultant corner.

If the Ferring defence had the jitters it certainly became infectious.
Goalkeeper Scott Redfern, Barber, Gary Salter and Jamie Ireson were all in a
mess as Ferring pulled a goal back after 22 minutes.

Strange should have extended Beedings lead on twenty eight minutes latching
on to yet another Barber through ball, but failed to beat the 'keeper when
clean through.

Redfern and Ireson again contrived to give Ferring the equalising goal a
minute late when their comical defending left Ferring with the eeriest of
tasks.

Mick Barry wasn't laughing and his half time rant blistered the already
peeling changing room paint.

His demand for more aggression and determination from his players was taken
up and Beeding did compete better in the second period, although the game
did not get any prettier.

Beeding retook the lead on 58 minutes when Mark Salters deep cross evaded
every one apart from the diving Doo at the far post.

Steve Barber made the game safe after sixty nine minutes when Mark Salters
deep free kick was pulled down by Doo and Barber was on hand to drill his
shot in from seven yards.

In the words of W.C. Fields, All things considered, I too would rather have
been in Philadelphia.........

Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; J. Ireson, S. Barber, G. Salter; G. Edmonds, J.
Burgess, M. Doo, D. Smith, M. Salter; S. Barry, L. Strange.

Subs: P. Barker (n.u.)
V. Gretton (n.u)