After a decent batch of preseason friendlies, the club went into our first Macron SCFL Div 2 game of the new league campaign in a degree of turmoil after certain key players central to our plans chose to walk away on the eve of the first match away to Worthing Town at Palatine Park. Already short of players due to holidays, injuries, suspension and Amex, we turned up with a bare 11 at a venue we’ve had some disappointing results in previous seasons, and fearing the worst. To everyone’s credit, and the inner strength from within the player group that has served us well in the past, we came away with a draw, and were seconds away from the win that the lads efforts deserved. Conceding a scrambled effort after a bit of a Refs mistake for Worthing to equalise after an excellent Kris header from a Leo free kick had given us a first half lead.
The leadership of Gunny supported by the senior guys Leo, Arran, Lee and Kris helped the new guys young Kai, Ben, Rob, Henry and late call up Parge rise to the challenge. Perhaps the stand out performance on debut was Dan Banks in goal. What a find he has proved to be, deservedly winning selection for the League Reps team, after a string of fine performances. Loving this guy !
And so the standard had been set in terms of attitude and commitment, only interested in players wanting to wear the Beeding shirt with pride. Players fighting for the shirt, keeping it when performances merit it, not sulking when having to be patient for a return, and putting in a shift when the opportunity presents itself.
The return to the squad of Jonny Taylor, Rolo, Drew, Lewie, Scott, Will and Harry has created competition for places. The outcome…….our best start to the SCFL season as we followed that opening draw with 3 home wins on the bounce in the space of 8 days. 11 v 2 against Rottingdean followed up less than 48 hours later with 9 v 0 when we hosted Brighton Electricity on a scorching Bank Holiday weekend. A full house 9 points from the 3 games was secured with a 4 v 0 win at UBMF against last seasons Div 2 Champions and Cup holders, Rustington. Words like Beeding and free scoring appearing in the same sentence are unheard of!
The promising contributions of the new boys Jonny, Robbie, Ben, Kai and Dan seems to have invigorated the whole squad. The early season form of Arran and Lee through getting fitter than ever through pre-season has been significant and very pleasing, and then there is Kris. What a month !!!!! An incredible return of 14 goals in 4 games has made Kris an outstanding UBFC Player of the Month, the lad is on fire!!!!!. After scoring all 4 against Rustington he was gracious enough to tweet:
‘Beeding team are pulling out performances and playing for each other!! Goals only come from teamwork ! Up the Beeding.’
Couldn’t have put it in words better. Well done Kris, and more of the same please.
We finish the month unbeaten, second in the early table, with 10 points from 4 games.
A decent start is all it is. The hard work is only just beginning, the scope and need for improvement great if this is to be anything more than a short patch of good form. We’ve been here before only to lack the consistency, commitment and frankly the balls to sustain it. Look to what Rustington have achieved in the last 2 seasons as the model for a successful campaign.
4 tough games awaits in September:
7 Sept, Jarvis Brook, away
14 Sept Littlehampton Utd, home
21 Sept Angmering Village, away
28 Sept Copthorne, home
September sees the start of the League season for our other teams, with home opening fixtures at UBMF on Sat 7 September:
UBFC Reserves v Sidlesham Res ko 3pm, WSX Div 1 South
UBFC U12s v Hurstpierpoint Colts ko 9 30am
UBFC U10s v Lower Beeding & Handcross Juniors, ko 9 30am.
Your support for all 3 teams on a day packed with footie action would be very welcome.
C’mon Beeding !!!!!!!