T.S.C. 2-1 UPPER BEEDING

A fluke goal, a dubious penalty and more controversy than you can shake a
stick at were enough to send Upper Beeding to their sixth County League
defeat of the season at TSC on Saturday.

Manager Mick Barry was incensed that TSC’s Dave Waller was not even spoken
to by referee Adrian Taylor, after his second half challenge caused Stuart
Barry to be rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Barry and counterpart Bob Pyle spent a good fifteen minutes locked in
Referee Taylors’ changing room after a game which saw around six TSC
bookings and Gareth Neathey red carded after the final whistle - all for
dissent as Beeding were forced to use all of their replacements in the first
fifty minutes of a physical encounter.

The opening exchanges were cagey, on a bumpy pitch in which Beeding created
the first real opening after sixteen minutes when Gary Salter headed over
from brother Marks’ free kick and then David Smith had a volley cleared off
the line as the visitors had a period of heavy pressure.

Gary Salter lasted but another three minutes as he limped off with an ankle
injury which will keep him out of Wednesday’s trip to Newhaven. Manager
Barry readjusted, pushing son Stuart up to partner Lee Strange and
introducing newly transferred (from Withdean) Gary Beal.

Beeding should have taken the lead in the twenty fifth minute when Salter
put pressure on Jason Cook, whose back pass was intercepted by Strange, but
Neil Burling saved the strikers effort.

Beal’s explosive shot from the edge of the box was acrobatically tipped over
by Burling and, from the resultant corner, Smith shot against a post.

TSC took the lead on the half hour. Scott Christianson’s deep cross was
headed away by Salter, only to strike Neathey and loop over a stranded Scott
Redfern into the far corner of the net.

Beeding looked uncomfortable in the middle of the park with heavy tackles
flying from Mark Hayward and Waller in particular. But while free kicks were
given, the referee seemed more interested in whether or not the trainers had
permission to enter the field of play to attend “blood injuries” than to
clamp down on the physical nature of the game.

Paul Gibbons had a chance to double the home side’s lead before the break
but blazed over Wallers’ through ball and Redfern had to be alert to deny
Christensen, falling at the tall strikers feet after good work from Neathey.
 

After the interval Neathey was denied a finishing opportunity by the quick
thinking of Glyn Edmonds after Gary Woolgar’s uncharactaristic slip and at
the other end the impressive Beal skimmed Burlings right hand post with a
stunning drive.

After fifty two minutes Barry’ s turn eluded Waller on the right, but the
TSC number 8 certainly made amends, cynically scything down the Beeding
teenager from behind.

A free kick on the right hand touchline seemed little consolation as Barry
was stretchered from the field to await the paramedics.

Just before the incident Woolgar had gone down injured and Manager Mick
Barry was forced into a total reshuffle. John Burgess came into the centre
of the mid field with Smith becoming Stranges’ third partner of the
afternoon, and Lewis Partridge taking over from Edmonds on the right, who
went to sweeper.

Within six minutes TSC were two in front. Neathey went down the right and
tangled with Redfern. Referee Taylor pointed to the spot and Neathey duly
dispatched the spot kick. Both Managers agreed that there was no contact and
neither player was in the box at the time.

But Beeding did start to put together some better passing and movement.
Burgess sorted out the physical stuff which allowed Beal and Barker more
freedom and Strange had a couple of half chances before Barker had a shot
blocked and Partridge headed weakly into Burlings arms from six yards.

With ten minutes remaining, Beeding did get one back. Strange collected the
ball on the right and powered past Mark Holmes. His cracking shot was too
hot for Burling, who could only parry, and Smith bundled the ball home.

Their was still time for Peter Sweet to hit a post for the home team before
Referee Taylor brought the game to an end. It was then that Neathey was red
carded for an apparent gesture made to a Beeding player and the players exit
was marred by scuffles and squabbles all the way to the changing rooms.

Beeding manager Barry and TSC manager Bob Pyle spent some time in deep
conversation before visiting the referee afterwards, but neither would
comment on emerging some time later.

On a positive note Barry was pleased withthe form of his new signing Gary
Beal from White hawk and hopes to have completed the transfer of Wayne
Potbury from Southwick in time for Wednesdays game at Newhaven.

UPPER BEEDING:: S. Redfern, D. Jordan, G. Woolgar, J. Ireson; G. Edmonds, P.
Barker, D. Smith, S. Barry, M. Salter; G. Salter, L. Strange.

Substitutes: G. Beal (G. Salter 19")
L. Partridge (G. Woolgar 52"))
J. Burgess (S. Barry 52")
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TONY KOPP CUP SEMI - FINAL

UPPER BEEDING RES 3-1 ROFFEY RES
Upper Beeding Reserves booked their place in the final of the Tony Kopp Cup
with a 3-1 home victory against Roffey Reserves on Saturday. Two goals from
striker Mat Doo, returning after a long lay off with a foot injury set
Beeding on their way.

Roffey fought back bravely and at 2-1 with five minutes left were unlucky
not to equalise hitting both post and crossbar. As the visitors pushed
forward, they were caught cold by Mat Grays delightful finish, to push
Beeding into the final of a competition their first team won twice in
succession in the mid 1990's.

Manager Steph Gretton was delighted with his teams win. “It is a bonus for
us, as we have not performed as well as we should have in the league this
season.” “But when I have a full squad available, we are capable of giving
any junior side real problems. Having said that, I felt Roffey were a good
strong side and will play worse and win this season”.