HAYWARDS HEATH 1-0 UPPER BEEDING
 

After Saturday’s debacle at the Memorial Field, it was testament to
Beedings’ back room team that the defensive frailties were addressed and the
team put in a performance which, if nothing else, restored some pride to a
Club unsed to being classed as whipping boys.

Veteran defender and reserve team Manager Steph Gretton was drafted in to
partner make shift centre half Mark Salter as Mick Barry squad was again
ravaged by injury and unavailability. In addition to his long term injuries,
Jamie Ireson had not recovered from a foot injury, sustained against
Crowborough and Lee Strange and David Smith were unavailable through work
commitments.

Surprisingly, Beeding were quick out of the blocks and should have taken a
eleventh minute lead when Mat Doo found himself with only Michael O’Mahoney
to beat when put through by Edmonds, but could not get the ball out from
under his feet to finish.

Four minutes later Edmonds found himself in a similar position after good
work from Gary Beal but his finish ran tantalisingly along the goal line
before being cleared.

Jason McNaboe saw his low drive from the edge of the box smartly saved by
Scott Redfern on the half hour.

The winning goal came a minute before the break. John Scrivens’ powerful
shot from the edge of the box giving Redfern no chance.

It was the home sides only chance of a first half largely dominated by
Beeding with Joe Swanson impressive on the left on a rare first team outing.

The second half could not have been more different as Haywards Heath grabbed
the initiative from Beeding and It would have been a more flattering
scoreline, had it not been for the agility of Redfern.

After 47 minutes he some how got down to rob Graeme Hatt when the home
striker looked odds on to score and then saved well from Scriven after good
work by Derek Elphick.

Mick Barry was left to rue his sides’ missed first half chances. “We must
learn that we have to take our chances at this level, if we had we’d had
gone in 2-0 to the good and the second half could have been a different
story.” “That said, I was so short of players tonight, It would be churlish
to criticise any of the players who did, at least, give 100% effort.”

Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; M. Salter, G. Woolgar, S. Gretton; L. Partridge,
P. Barker,
G. Beal, J. Burgess, J. Swanson; M. Doo, G. Edmonds.

Subs: A. Barker (Swanson 88")
T. Gretton (Burgess 88”)
V. Gretton (n.u.)

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