“Think of the worst display you’ve ever seen, treble it, and you are getting
close to realising just how bad we were today.” These were the reflections
of Beeding Manager Mick Barry after his depleted side had been totally
outclassed by a run of the mill Crowborough side.

In fairness to Barry, injuries have robbed him of Gary Salter, Stuart Barry,
Terry Gretton, Darren Jordan and Wayne Potbury. The questions asked of their
replacements were answered in the fact that they struggled to come to terms
with a step up in standard.

The writing was on the wall as early as the fifth minute when Craig Bishops’
free header skimmed wide of Beeding ‘keeper Scott Redferns’ left hand post.

At the other end, David Smith had a good chance after being put through by
Lee Strange but although his early strike had enough power, it was sorely
lacking in direction. Crowbrough stopper Alex Collick flapped at a couple in
the strong wind before the visitors took a twenty first minute lead, Jack
Singer, completely unmarked at the far post, six yards out, had the easiest
of tasks to steer his header past the stranded Redfern.

Mat Doo had a reasonable chance to bring Beeding level within two minutes
from a poor defensive clearence but could not hit the target with only
Collick in his way.

Crowborough went further ahead after thirty eight minutes. The tricky Ian
Meek twisted and turned his way past Gary Beal on the right and managed to
put in a low, near post cross. Redfern spilled and Duncan Green was first to
react to tap in. It was impossible not to feel for Redfern, who will be
blamed for the error, but he all too often stood alone against attack
surrounded by some of the most inept defending seen at the Memorial Field.

Tony Wright should have made it 3-0 before the interval, but shovelled his
shot over from eight yards as Beeding were pulled apart again.

Barry lost his last Central Defender, Jamie Ireson, at half time with a foot
injury, forced to replace him with reserve team goal keeper Mat Laker. It
was not the most successful substitution he will ever make.

Twelve minutes into the second period Kevin Sharman cross picked out Simon
Munday, eight yards out and again unmarked. The striker could afford the
luxury of four touches before finally putting Redfern out of his misery.

Barry threw on Lewis Partridge for the ineffective Glyn Edmonds, whose
inability to perform on occasions seems to be nothing to do with ability but
all down to attitude.

Strange pulled a shot wide after turning Bishop inside out but, in all, it
was a happy release when referee Glyn Watts blew the final whistle.

UPPER BEEDING:: S. Redfern, M. Salter, G. Woolgar, J. Ireson; G. Edmonds, P.
Barker, D. Smith, J. Burgess (C), G. Beal; M Doo, L. Strange.
Subs: M. Laker (Ireson 45") L. Partridge (Edmonds 64") P. Rogers (nu)