Handcross 3 v 2 Upper Beeding
Upper Beeding met Handcross for the second week running, this time in a
league match of top versus second. Once again Beeding came out second best.
Beeding never got started and played poorly in the opening half of this game.
The Handcross forwards caused constant problems on a small pitch and it was
no surprise when they took the lead, midway through the first half. However,
against the run of play a Danny Bateman side footed shot brought Beeding back
into the game with only a few minutes of the half remaining, only for
goalkeeper Henry Saunders to give a penalty away (obstruction) which
Handcross scored from at the second attempt.

The second half started with Beeding playing much better and hopes of a point
were high when Ashley Funnell (Man of the Match) scored the equaliser.

Once again Beeding pressed the self destruction button with poor defending
and Henry letting a tame shoot slip through his hands.

One good point is that we don't play Handcross next week!

Final score Handcross 3 v 2 Upper Beeding
 
 
 
 

The Chairman's Cup 2nd Round.
Upper Beeding 1 V 2 HandcrossTigers "B"

This was the best match of the season so far. The only downside was the final
result.

Beeding had the best of the opening period, but fell behind to a mis-hit shot
which looped over goalkeeper Henry Saunders midway through the first half.

Beeding kept battling and throughly deserved their equaliser (Chris Smith)10
minutes into the send half. Thoughts of extra time were looming when
Handcross scored their second and winning goal five minutes from the end.

Beeding were very unlucky not to get a result out of this game as for long
periods they were the much better side. On the plus side all the boys played
up to their best with great determination and team spirit. Gareth Burnell was
man of the match for his fine defensive work.
 
 
 
 

Upper Beeding 5 -4 Chesworth Rovers

After last weeks disappointing performance it was very important that we
started playing straight from the kick off, and so it proved with Beeding
taking the game to the visitors with good attacking play, a midfield fighting
for every ball and a determined defence working as a unit.

Beeding took the lead through yet another Joe Ratcliffe goal, Nick Drawbridge
added a second with one of his free kick specials, and a Josh Baldock goal
(his first of the season), with a turn and shot inside the penalty area made
it 3-0. However sloopy defending let Rovers back into the game to make it
3-1 at the interval.

The 2nd half started badly for the home side with Josh being taken to
hospital with a nasty head wound from an accidental clash of heads.

Rover's pulled another one back, before a Ben Fox shot slipped through the
goal keepers hands to make it 4-2. Rovers' never gave up and are a very good
side and caused many nervous moments for the home supporters. They reduced
the arrears to 4-3 before Joe blasted yet another one into the back of the
net. Back again came Rovers' to make it 5-4. Ashley Funnell then hit the
underside of the bar with a header from a Danny Bateman corner, but
unfortunately the ball never crossed the line.

Man of the Match Chris Smith
 
 
 
 

East Grinstead 3 -1 Upper Beeding

Upper Beeding made the long trip to East Grinstead only to be given a
football lesson in the 1st half and were very lucky only to be 1-0 down at
the interval. The 2nd half however brought a more determined approach by our
boys and after 10 minutes Joe Ratcliffe brought the scores level. Beeding
then had numerous chances to take the lead through Jon White, Joe hitting the
cross bar and a Nick Drawbridge free kick just too high.

East Grinstead speedy strikers caused us trouble throughtout the game and it
was no surprise when they regained the lead with about 15 minutes to go.
Beeding's chances of an equaliser were not helped whem Matt Bakter was
carried off with 5 minutes to go with an ankle injury. East Grinstead scored
their third with the last kick of the match.

Beeding's 13 league match unbeaten record came to a disappointing end, but
this was by far the best side we have met so far this season.
 
 

20th October, Horsham Sparrows 3 - 9 Upper Beeding
Upper Beeding travelled to Horsham (yet again) to play Sparrows in the 1st
round of the Chairman's Cup.
Having beaten their opponents twice within 4 days last season (8-0 & 8-2),
the boys' were full of confidence and so it proved with Beeding dominating
the 1st half on a bog of a pitch and playing down hill on a slope that
wouldn't be out of place on a swiss ski run. Goals from John White (3), Danny
Bateman (2) and Joe Ratcliffe (1), saw Beeding through to a very comfitable
6-0 lead at half time.

Sparrows scored their first straight from the kick off and with their
confidence lifted put Beeding under pressure until Danny netted his third.

Beeding then had to reorganise after Josh Baldock had to leave the field with
a recurrence of a hip injury forcing the away side, who had travelled with
just 11 players, to move man of the match Chris Smith to a defensive role.

Goal keeper Henry Saunders then gifted Sparrows their 2nd with his
impersonation of a Bartez clearance (what did we say to you before the
match?), before 2 further Beeding goals from Joe (header) and Liam Wadey
(fine solo run). Sparrows scored their third with the last kick of the match.

Final score Horsham Sparrows 3 - 9 Upper Beeding.

6th October, Upper Beeding 9 - 2 Roffey Robins Wanderers
Beeding played their 1st home match of the season against Roffey Robins
Wanderers, with just 11 available players.
Beeding dominated the opening minutes of the match, but wasted chance after
chance to open the scoring against a Roffey side looking for their 1st win of
the season. It took until the 15th minute before Joe Ratcliffe got his goal
scoring boots on to settle the nerves, then added a second before man of the
match Chris Bennett, scored his 1st ever goal for the team, with a well taken
side footed shot from just outside the penalty area.

After the break the ever threatening Danny Bateman and a further goal from
Joe made it 5-0 before a defensive mix up let Roffey pull one back.

Goal keeper Henry Saunders, who had little to do apart from picking the ball
out of his own net, then launched two massive clearances both of which took
just one bounce before sailing over the opposing keepers' head, to make it
7-1.

With Beeding enjoying themselves and throwing caution to the wind (Henry
looking for his hat trick by joining in the attack at corners) it was no
surprise that Roffey scored their second. But 2 further goal from Joe sealed
a very fine victory.

Final score Upper Beeding 9 - 2 Roffey Robins Wanderers

Scorers: Joe Ratcliffe 5, Henry Saunders 2, Danny Bateman 1, Chris Bennett 1
22nd September,  Broadbridge Heath 0 Upper Beeding 4
The Upper Beeding roadshow continued its tour of Sussex with yet another away
trip, this time to Broadbridge Heath.

The match started badly with central defender Josh Baldock being carried off
within the first minute with a hip injury, however his replacement Chris
Smith had an excellent match.

Both sides were fairly evenly matched, but yet again Joe Ratcliffe opened the
scoring midway through the 1st half for Beeding.

After the break Beeding took control of the game, Joe scored the second after
a perfect through ball from Ben Fox, Nick Drawbridge then went on one of his
runs to score for the third match running. Joe completed the scoring with his
hat trick with a deflected shot that looped over the stranded goalkeeper.

Another good all round performance from the boys, who are now unbeaten in
their last 12 league matches stretching back to the beginning of last season.

Final score Broadbridge Heath 0 - Upper Beeding 4.

This season's top scorers; Joe Ratcliffe 9, Nick Drawbridge 3.
 

15th September, Cranleigh Barracudas 2 Upper Beeding 3
Upper Beeding made the long journey to play Cranleigh Barracudas with a much
changed side that won at Royal United the previous week.
The opening 15 minutes both sides were evenly matched, however Cranleigh
opened the scoring with their first serious attack on the Beeding defence.
The Beeding boys showing true grit and determination fought back to level the
score through a goal from Joe Ratcliffe's shot from inside Cranleigh's
penalty area. There were no further goals in the 1st half, but Beeding were
gradually taking control of the game.
The 2nd half started with Beeding on the attack, with Danny Bateman causing
Cranleigh's defence all sorts of problems with his blistering pace out wide
on the left.
Beeding took a well deserved lead with yet another goal from Joe (six in two
games) with an unstoppable shot from just outside the area. With nothing to
lose Cranleigh pressed forward and were fortunate to level the scores through
a Nick Drawbridge own goal.
Nick soon made up for this, picking the ball up from well inside his own half
he surged forward and launched a tremendous shot into the top right corner of
the goal from fully 30 yards out.
With the match drawing to a close the Beeding held on to take a well deserved
victory.
All the boys played extremely well showing true team spirit, with many
producing their best performances for the side with special mention for Chris
Bennett and Chris Smith, both making their seasonal debuts. However, Ashley
Funnell was man of the match for his efforts at left wing back.
Final score Cranleigh Barracudas 2 Upper Beeding 3
 
 
 
 

8th September, Royal Utd 2 Upper Beeding 5
Last season's unbeaten Division "C" champions made a successful start to the
new season with a fine 5-2 win away to Royal United. The first half started
with the Beeding Boys unlucky to have a Josh Weston goal disallowed, but
soon took the lead with a superbly taken free kick by Team Captain Nick
Drawbridge. United then took advantage of very poor defensive play by Beeding
to edge into a 2-1 lead. However, with just a few minutes remaining of the
first half Beeding deservedly equalised through a Joe Ratcliffe shot.
In the 2nd half both sides cancelled each other out and with15 minutes to go
it looked like the match was heading for a rather tame draw. However within
the space of just a few minutes Joe Ratcliffe score three times, the first a
header from Nick D's free kick, and then bursting through the home sides
defence twice to put the result beyond doubt.

A good start to the season and long may it continue.

The Beeding Boys are back.