1st September 2001
 

Crowborough 1-0 Upper Beeding
(H-T: 0-0)

Upper Beeding tamely surrendered their unbeaten record, which stretched back
to September 9th last year, at Crowborough on Saturday.

Manager Mick Barry remained tight lipped as his side produced a mediocre
performance tinged with an air of apparent apathy.

Crowborough took the initiative from the outset and only a poor finish by
the normally prolific James Lattimer on six minutes stopped them taking an
early lead.

Stuart Barry should have put Beeding in front three minutes later after good
work by David Smith but his casual effort, having rounded 'borough 'Keeper
Pete Saunders, was cleared by Rod Lewis.

Lattimer wasted a good headed chance on fourteen minutes, heading over Tony
Wrights' right wing cross, and Mark Simpson should have done better than put
wide Wayne Clarkes' driven delivery.

Barry was denied for a second time on twenty minutes, Craig Bishops' saving
tackle dispossessing the diminutive striker.

Mark Salter was guilty of a far post miss, heading wide brother Garys' free
kick and Ian Barber missed badly when put in by Paul Barker.

As chances continued to be missed, Beeding 'keeper Adrian Parsons was
fortunate that neither Bishop or Ben Agana could touch in Clarkes free kick
after Wright had been cynically scythed down by Steve Barber.
After the interval nothing seemed to have changed. Mark Salters near post
corner was neatly flicked on by Barber but there was no one at the far post
to convert. And when Lattimer found himself in acres of space and only
Parsons to beat he shot straight at the Beeding Stopper.

A pedestrian looking Glyn Edmonds did find Barry in the clear five minutes
later, but his shot was little better than that of his opposite number six
minutes earlier.

Beeding 'keeper Parsons had struggled throughout the game, and it came as no
surprise when his error gifted Crowborough the lead after seventy minutes.

Ada James took a free kick some thirty yards out on the right. The shot
should have been comfortably held by Parsons, but rebounded back off his
body for Wright to score from close range.

There was just time for Ian Barber to squander another simple chance before
being replaced by Lee Strange and brother Steve should have done better with
a far post header with ten minutes left.

Despite the lethargy of their performance, Beeding thought they had salvaged
a point in the last minute when Gary Salters' far post finish, from Barbers'
flick, was ruled out by the linesman's' flag.

Beeding now lose skipper Jon Burgess for several weeks ( cartilage
operation) and Simon Friend - James (holiday) for two weeks.

Mick Barry will need a substantial improvement in performance if his side
are to maintain any sort of challenge to the leaders of the Division.

Upper Beeding: A. Parsons; G. Edmonds, T. Gretton, S. Barber, G. Salter, M.
Salter; P. Barker, J. Burgess (Capt.), D. Smith; I. Barber, S. Barry.

Subs: L. Strange (I. Barber 70")
S. Friend - James (Gretton 91")
M. Friend - James (n.u.)
 

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