11th August 2001
 

Upper Beeding 4-1 St Francis

The strength of depth of Mick Barrys' squad was severely tested on Saturday
when Beeding kicked off their first season in the County League against St
Francis on Saturday.

Barry was unable to call upon Lee Strange, Steve and Ian Barber, Justin
Tarrant and Mark Salter because of holiday commitments and Mat Doo, Stuart
Barry, Vic and Steph Gretton all injured.

But there was no apparent nervousness as Beeding surged forward from the
outset. After just seven minutes, David Smith, playing an unfamiliar
striking roll, picked up Glyn Edmonds' neat pass thirty yards out. His
unchallenged run and shot from 20 yards swerved and dipped, but Shaun
Chapman should have done better than to push it into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later Smith again had an opportunity when Gary Salter fed him
from the left but, on this occasion Chapman was equal to the task.

After twelve minutes Salter was again in the action. His through ball
pressurised Greg Tyson and the big centre backs' back pass asked to much of
Chapman and Joe Bennett was on hand to give Beeding a comfortable advantage.

Chapman came to his sides' rescue on twenty two minutes, tipping over Paul
Barkers' 30 yard free kick.

St Francis's first real opportunity came three minutes later when Paul
Mackays' free kick found Ben Wanless on the right. The full backs' full
blooded drive was deflected wide by the ever impressive Salter.

St Francis were back in the game on forty five minutes. An uncharacteristic
error by Terry Gretton allowed Martin Loadsman time and space to cross from
the right, and his low driven delivery was superbly finished by Mackay at
the near post.
Barry and coach Vic Gretton were unimpressed and Beeding took to the second
period as they had started the first. Within three minutes Mark Friend -
James's quickness of thought from a free kick put Edmonds in behind the St
Francis back line. The young wing back's deft first touch drew Chapman and
he slipped the ball under the advancing custodian with aplomb.

Try as they might, St Francis did not seem to be able to come to terms with
Barrys' wing back system which was, for once, well disciplined with both
Mark Friend - James and Edmonds sitting much deeper than usual. 'Keeper
Scott Redfern remained untroubled, Darren Jordan, Gretton and Salter looked
comfortable at the back and Simon Friend - James fitted in well with Barker
and the tireless Johnny Burgess.

Three minutes from time, Edmonds chased a lost cause in the corner. His
perseverance paid off as he robbed substitute Martin Gaines and crossed for
Mark Friend - James to volley home at the far post.

Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; D. Jordan, T. Gretton, G. Salter; G. Edmonds, S.
Friend - James, J. Burgess, P. Barker, M. Friend - James; J. Bennett, D.
Smith.

Subs: G. Dutton (Bennett 60")
J. Ireson (Smith 70")
P. Rogers (S. Friend - James 87")

St Francis FC: S. Chapman, L. Smith, B. Wanless, P. Clarke, G. Beverige, M.
Loadsman, P. Aylett, D. Mason, C. Cook

Subs: M. Gaines
G Dees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SUSSEX COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Division 3 11th August 2001
              P W D L F A Pts Diff
Ansty         1 1 0 0 5 0 3 5
Upper Beeding 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
Franklins Vil 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
Crowborough   1 1 0 0 4 2 3 2
Pease Pottage 1 1 0 0 4 2 3 2
Haywards Heath1 1 0 0 1 0 3 1
Ifield        1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Lingfield     1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Newhaven      1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Uckfield      1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Forest        1 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1
Hurstpierpoint1 0 0 1 2 4 0 -2
TSC           1 0 0 1 2 4 0 -2
St Francis    1 0 0 1 1 4 0 -3
Steyning Town 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 -3
Bexhill       1 0 0 1 0 5 0 -5

Result 11:08:2001
Ansty 5:0 Bexhill
Forest 0:1 Haywards Heath
Franklins Village 3:0 Steyning Town
Newhaven 0:0 Lingfield
Pease Pottage 4:2 Hurstpierpoint
TSC 2:4 Crowborough
Uckfield 0:0 Ifield
Upper Beeding 4:1 St Francis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Leading Goalscorers up to and including 11th August 2001

D. Smith        01 00 01
G. Edmonds      01 00 01
J. Bennett      01 00 01
M. Friend James 01 00 01
 

1 Match         04 00 04