Upper Beedings’ completed their first season in the Sussex County League
with a 1-1 draw at Franklands Village on Saturday.

The good news for the Club is Manager Mick Barrys’ decision to comit himself
to the Club until at least May 2003.

Club Chairman Nick Addison and Senior Section Chairman, Vic Gretton had been
talking to Barry over the last few weeks, and had reached agreement over the
way forward for the Football Club.

“It is the practice of Upper Beeding to appoint a Club Manager on an annual
basis, and both Vic and I are more than happy with our first season in the
County League. We have all found it a far greater learning curve than
originally anticipated but lessons have been learnt and we are confident
that Mick and his staff will take the Club onto the next stage.”

On the field things didn’t look nearly so positive as Scott Redfern denied
Stuart Dauwalder with his feet after just eight minutes and had to be alert
again four minutes later when Dauwalder shot straight at him after being put
clean through by Phil Gault..

Beeding created their first opportunity after 23 minutes. Alex Honeysett’s
poor back pass let in Stuart Barry but the young strikers shot beat both
Simon Lehkyj and the Franklands keeper’s far post.

Glyn Edmonds’s ridiculous free kick on twenty five minutes saw Beeding
caught out by the breaking Paul Hewitt who moved the ball onto Gault, whose
square ball was again wasted by the luckless Dauwalder who missed the target
from eight yards. It would not be his worst miss of the afternoon.

The ball was spending too much time in the air for most of the spectators
liking but at least Beeding showed more industry than of late, although the
quality of their produce again left much to be desired.

Lee Strange’s near post flick header was comfortably saved by Lehkyj on 38
minutes and Redfern got the better of Dauwalder yet again, with Gault in a
better position, as the half drew to an uneventful conclusion.

Beeding were still contemplating their interval refreshments as Laurie Piper
looped his 48th minute
header onto the top of Redferns bar from Chris Maynards’ corner.

The miss of the afternoon came on 53 minutes. Piper won a midfield header
from Redferns’ clearance finding Gault free on the right. The tall striker
cut in and drew Redfern, before rolling the ball into the path of Dauwalder,
not two yards from goal. Incredibly, to his dismay, Dauwalder contrived to
hit the crossbar and watch as Redfern casually picked up the rebound. If the
mirth of the spectators was unkind, it was, at least understandable.
 

Stranges’ chip from Mat Doos’ through ball had Lehkyj scrambling on the hour
but his effort was a touch too high. Gault then rattled Redfern’s crossbar
as the Beeding ‘keeper shouted “safe” - Technically correct, but not
particularly confidence boosting for his rapidly tiring back line.

Beeding took the lead from the penalty spot after 72 minutes. Stranges’
cross found Barry and his shot was handle on the line by Franklands captain
Dave Gaston. Edmonds agave Lehkyj no chance as Gaston trudged dejectedly
back to the changing rooms for the preverbial early bath.

In all honesty, it was not what the home side deserved and they were
rewarded with five minutes left when substitute Paul Mackey fed Gault inside
the box and Gault equalised despited a brave effort from Redfern.

Upper Beeding: S. Redfern; G. Edmonds, J. Ireson, T. Gretton, L. Partridge;
P. Barker, G. Beal, D. Smith, S. Barry, M. Doo, L. Strange.
 

Subs: D. Jordan (Partridge 65")
V. Gretton (n.u.)