SUSSEX COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sussex County Football League
Division Three

27th October 2001
 

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

Upper Beeding threw away another couple of valuable league points at lowly
Hurstpierpoint on Saturday, lost David Smith with a thigh injury and had his
replacement, Ian Barber, sent off within twenty five minutes of his
introduction.

It may be painful watching Beeding this year, but at least it's not
uneventful.

Slow out of the blocks, the visitors could have found themselves two behind
within six minutes. Dave Biggs combined well with Andy Hartless on the left,
after just three minutes, and set up Jay Tostovine for a shot which brought
the best out of Scott Redfern. Then Biggs should have at least hit the
target, heading over skipper Paul Grounds' cross a couple of minutes later.

Amazingly, a minute later Beeding went in front. Stuart Barrys' throw found
Paul Barker, who moved the ball on to David Smith. The stand in strikers
reverse ball down the right was met by Barry, whose cross was flicked past
Dave Mesell, in the Hurst goal, by Simon Friend - James.

Terry Gretton saved any embarrassment, heading behind the lively Grounds'
cross after being gifted the ball by Steve Barber and then worked well at
the other end with Barker to set up another chance for Simon Friend - James,
who this time was unable to hit his desired target.

Smith cracked a shot against the home sides' cross bar after good work by
Mark Salter and Simon Friend - James should have done better when set up by
Lee Strange.

Strange was guilty of a glaring miss after 22 minutes when his shot hit the
outside of the post with only Mesell to beat.

Smith (thigh) was replaced by Ian Barber after 34 minutes as Beeding looked
the more likely to score. Gary Salter put over brother Marks free kick after
Mark Friend - James had been felled by Chris Powell and Ian Barber forced a
good save from Mesell after being set up by Strange.

Steve Barber had the ball in the Hurst net in the closing stages of the
half, but referee Steve Baker had spotted an infringment on Mesell and
Barker forced Mesell into another good stop on the half time whistle.

Gary Salter was unlucky not to increase Beedings' lead ten minutes into the
second half when his goal bound header, from a Mark Salter corner, was
hacked off the line by Tostovine.

Four minutes later the game changed. Beeding seemed incensed that referee
Baker had not given a foul on Barry and Ian Barber endeavoured to seek
immediate retribution with a tackle that left Biggs in a crumpled heap.

Referee Baker showed the red card and Beedings' ten men went into panic
mode.

Leaving Strange on his own up front, the visitors five man middle failed to
offer any protection for their back line by constantly giving away
possession and it looked only a matter of time before Hurstpierpoint got
back on level terms.

And so it proved, but not without a little help from Beeding 'keeper Redfern
who allowed Grounds' sixty third minute daisy cutter to creep under his
body.

Redfern partially made amends four minutes later, parrying away Biggs's shot
and Ground was unlucky when his flick header, from James Burrows' corner,
beat the far post.

There was still time for Strange to miss from two yards as Barber headed
Gary Salters' deep free kick back across goal but Mick Barry will need a
good deal of improvement if his side are going to achieve anything of note
this season.

Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; T. Gretton, S. Barber (Capt), G. Salter,
S. Barry, P. Barker, M. Friend - James, S. Friend-James, M. Salter; D.
Smith,  L. Strange.

Subs: J. Tarrant (n.u) J. Ireson (n.u.)
I. Barber (Smith 34")