Arguably our toughest match of the season so far as we made the short journey to second placed SCFL newcomers TD Shipley, turned out to be our most complete performance of the campaign. You sensed in the build up there was a determination and intensity amongst the squad that meant they were up for a crucial encounter with close rivals. Just the one drop out JT, meant some of the squad were able to go with the Reserves for game time in readiness for when their turn inevitably comes in the course of the season.
Beeding started fast, moved the ball around, and were deserving of the 2 goal advantage at the break with goals from Jamie Rowland following up his own strike, and a powerful free kick from 20 yards out by Kris Harding that the keeper Fox tried valiantly to keep out. Joy was being found in spaces out wide that created chances for all the ‘front 4’, and young Justin Gregory went close with a strike from the edge of the box.
TD changed their formation and were much improved in the second half, giving our defence a tough examination before with 20 mins left a terrific move down the left was finished with a beaut of a cross and a thumping header home at the far post by Harry Smith, to effectively seal the game. More chances went begging. The foundation for a good all round team performance was provided by the back 5 who were superb in keeping a clean sheet, and the impressive Gunny and Callum Towse in Centre midfield that were at the heart of everything.
All 14 who played put in a terrific shift to come away with a deserved win, and 3 points to extend the unbeaten start to the season to 8 games and move up to second in the table. Montpelier Villa maintained their 4 point lead at the top with a 2-1 win at 10 man Brighton Electricity. Jarvis Brook suffered a surprise defeat at home to St. Francis Rangers, while Angmering returned to winning ways, and our next opponents in the League, Cowfold at UBMF on Sat 19 Oct, were 4-1 victors at home to Worthing Town.
Loads of players with claims for MOM, but the stand out performance on 2 counts came from Harry Smith. Never seen him score a header, and what a header ! And never seen the lad work so hard. He worked his socks off and showed a dimension to his game that will be as a big a value to us as any goals that come his way. Very well played Harry.
Line up – Banks, Tewsley, Jamieson, Trower, Gregory, Gunn, Towse, Rowland, Smith, Ward, Harding.
Subs used McGill, Woodward, Mitchell.
Scorers - Rowland, Harding, Smith
MOM Harry Smith.
In a repeat of the first team result, the Reserves were 3-0 winners at UBMF, to also move up to second in the table.
Line up – Matthews, Hill, Johnson, Dermott, Coyle, Capper, Bond, Martin, Hayden, Barnett, Short.
Subs used Beamish, Boyle, Pargeter, Sansom, Phillips
Scorers – Martin, Bond, Boyle.
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