With 40 year old Centre Half Steve Barber completing his protracted move to
Pease Pottage on Friday night, Beeding Manager Mick Barry continued his
rebuilding plan by signing 22 year old, former Aylesbury United mid fielder
Joe Swanson.
It was an unusual line up for Barry, who welcomed back David Smith after a
lay off with a thigh strain, as Beeding took to the field in a 3-4-3
formation.

The opening was fast and furious as Bexhill should have opened the scoring
after just two minutes. Ray Bage combined well with Nick Light and Peter
Couder should have tested Scott Redfern from six yards.

Beeding replied with Smith volleying straight at Dave Browning from the edge
of the box after good work by Gary Salter.

Terry Gretton got his fellow defenders out of jail with a crucial saving
tackle on Couder and the set up Glyn Edmonds who would have opened the
scoring had his control been better.

Beeding did take the lead after eight minutes. Mat Doo picked the ball up on
the right hand side and fed Salter. The big striker's turn and shot from the
angle of the penalty area flew past a startled Browning and into the top
left hand corner of the goal.

Salter could have made it two after 15 minutes but unusually poor control
allowed Browning to save with his feet. Edmonds then had a snap shot parried
by Browning and Salter could not squeeze in the rebound from a tight angle.

Beeding were suckered into conceding an equaliser after 16 minutes. Ross
Osbourne galloped down the left and crosses for an unmarked Nick Light to
volley past Redfern from seven yards.

Salter squandered a further opportunity before forcing Browning into a
stunning tip over from the edge of the box.

Barrys' half time talk worked wonders as Beeding resumed with a spring in
their step and a confidence which has been missing for most of the season.
Stuart Barry had a chance saved after 3 minutes and Browning saved well from
Edmonds as the Bexhill 'keeper was all that stood between Beeding and a
comfortable victory.
Simon Friend - James had a diving header blocked and Edmonds should have hit
the target from the rebound. Jamie Ireson set up Doo in acres of space but
Doos' normally reliable strikers instincts deserted him as he took an age to
make his mind up and ended up being dispossessed by Tony Wood.

After 73 minutes Stuart Barry broke through on the left and rounded
Browning, only to be hauled down by the goalkeeper as Salter stroked the
ball into the empty net.
Referee Ewen pulled the game back to award the penalty but only showed
Browning a yellow card.

Salter remained unfazed and, not for the first time, sent the 'keeper
sprawling in the opposite direction of his spot kick.

Bexhill did rally but were restricted to long distance peppering of the
Beeding goal by Bage and Osbourne.

With two minutes remaining Beeding managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of
victory when they allowed Richard Anderson to beat every one to Derek
Longleys' diagonal ball and head the ball past a flat footed Redfern.
Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; T. Gretton, M. Friend - James (capt),
J. Ireson; M. Doo, S. Friend - James, P. Barker, D. Smith, S. Barry;
G. Salter, G. Edmonds.
Subs:
J. Swanson (n.u)
S. Gretton (n.u)
V. Gretton (n.u)
 
 

Sussex County League Division 3
16th December 2001
                Pl. W. D. L. Fr. Ag. Pts.
Steyning Town   15 13 0 2 46 11 39
Pease Pottage   14 11 2 1 46 17 35
Haywards Heath  15 9 3 3 26 16 30
Franklins Vill  13 9 2 2 29 10 29
Forest          14 9 2 3 25 17 29
Upper Beeding   14 6 5 3 33 24 23
Crowborough Ath 15 7 1 7 31 32 22
T.S.C.          14 5 4 5 32 22 19
St. Francis     15 5 3 7 26 34 18
Newhaven        14 4 3 7 19 24 15
Uckfield Town   14 3 6 5 21 29 17
Lingfield       18 5 2 11 23 43 17
Hurstpierpoint  14 3 2 9 19 32 11
Bexhill Town    15 2 3 10 16 38 9
Ansty Rangers   16 2 3 11 16 38 9
Ifield          14 0 7 7 11 33 7

Leading Scorers
Sussex County League LG Cup T

Garry Salter 11 6 17
Ian Barber    4 2 6
Lee Strange   3 2 5
Simon Friend - James 2 2 4
David Smith   1 2 3
Stuart Barry  3 0 3
Mat Doo       2 1 3
Glyn Edmonds  1 2 3
Joe Bennett   2 0 2
Mark Friend-James 2 0 2
Steve Barber  1 1 2
Own Goals     1 0 1

West Sussex Football League
            Pl. W. D. L. Fr. Ag. Pts.
Rogate      9 6 1 3 29 18 19
Graffham    9 6 0 3 48 20 18
Pulborough  6 5 0 1 24 8 15
West Chiltn 6 4 1 1 24 13 13
Lodsworth   9 4 0 5 23 26 12
Upper Beedg 8 3 1 4 28 24 10
Rudgwick    8 2 1 5 14 27 7
Billingsrst 6 2 0 4 15 18 6
Slinfold    6 1 2 3 17 20 5
Fernhurst Sp7 1 0 6 8 60 3
 
 

Total (19 Matches) 33 18 51
 

Leading Scorers
West Sussex Football League
Jamie Toombes 4 3 7
Joe Bennett 6 0 6
Glyn Edmonds 6 0 6
Martin Trigwell 1 4 5
Ian Barber 3 2 5
Ian Jackson 2 1 3
Darren Jordan 1 1 2
Justin Tarrant 0 2 2
Wayne Potbury 0 2 2
Mat Doo 1 0 1
Matt Gray 1 0 1
Steph Gretton 0 1 1
Mark Weaving 1 0 1
David Smith 1 0 1
Own Goals 1 0 1

Total (13 Matches) 28 16 44

Results 8th December 2001

Sussex County League Div 3
Ansty 2 1 Newhaven
Bexhill 2 2 Upper Beeding
 

West Sussex Football League
Division 3
Rudgwick 2 2 West Chiltington