31st March 2001
 

UPPER BEEDING 2:0 ANGMERING

"It's not going to be pretty from here on in" was Mick Barry's prediction
before his table topping Beeding side completed a nervous double over a keen
Angmering side.

He wasn't wrong. Although the match did start on a bright note as Lee
Strange notched his thirteenth goal of the season in the opening minute.

Matt Doo was unceremoniously tripped on the left hand side, thirty yards
out. The trust left peg of Mark Salter delivered the free kick to he back
post, Steve Barber headed it back across goal and Stranges' flying header
gave Beeding a dream start.

Gary Salter was forced into a great saving tackle as the strong wind caught
the Beeding back four out after just five minutes.

At the other end the same player saw his flick header from his brothers
corner graze the bar as Beeding tried to put some cohesion into the play.

Lewis Partridge combined well down the left with Mark Salter and Doo to
afford Strange another opportunity which was well saved.

Beeding doubled their advantage on thirty four minutes when Mark Salters'
near post corner was flicked on by Strange for Doo to net from close in.

The stage should have been set for Beeding to take the game by the scruff of
the neck but they were strangely subdued in the second period.

There was a tension in their play which belied their fifteen wins in a row
and the fact that Scott Redfern has not conceded a goal since 24th February
- a total of 421 minutes.
Doo did have the ball in the back of the net again after fifty nine minutes
only for referee Garham Neale to rule the "goal" out for Doos' foot being
too high.

Redfern was called upon to make an excellent save late on but in the end
Beeding, and their supporters, were pleased to see the end of this nervous
encounter.

The final word to Beeding Manager Mick Barry, who was pleased  to welcome
back assistant and first team coach Vic Gretton, " It is pleasing to have
Vic back at my side with his vast knowledge. We are not playing particularly
well at the moment but I think the boys are frightened to make mistakes."
"We need to concentrate on doing the simple thing, choosing the right option
- which invariably is the easiest. Vic and I will keep plugging away at
training and I am confident we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the
season".

Barry welcomes back Jamie Ireson, Wayne Portbury and Justin Tarrent  to his
squad for next Saturday's visit of The Ship and the following Monday's derby
visit of neighbours Henfield.

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

Subs: S. Barry (Partridge 55")
D. Jordan (n.u)
S. Gretton (n.u)