Crowborough 1 - Upper Beeding 0

THERE is something of a revolution in progress at Crowborough Athletic these days with a huge influx of young local players into the senior sides. Crowborough began this match no less than six teenagers in the starting line up to take on an Upper Beeding side which had won all four of its previous league outings.

Boro brought in Mark Simpson and Benji Agana for their full debuts and Craig Bishop returned to the starting line up with Sean Fuller unavailable. The match quickly settled into the pattern for the day with Boro playing a neat pass and move game allied to hard work to deny the opposition any space whilst the visitors were clearly used to a long ball game attempting to exploit the pace of their two strikers.

An entertaining first period failed to produce much in the way of goalmouth incident although Mark Simpson saw his shot go over the bar on 23 minutes. Scott Foy capped an immaculate first half performance as sweeper with a dramatic goal line clearance, but, with Clarke and Agana always threatening Upper Beeding on the flanks, the visitors were never allowed to settle.

After a goal-less first half it was Boro that settled quicker in the second period and looked the more likely to score as Agana, Simpson and Clarke continued to probe the visitors defence. Top scorer James Lattimer was kept fairly quiet by the visiting defenders but his through ball on 50 minutes sent Agana through with only the keeper to beat. He unfortunately hurried his shot and the opportunity was wasted.

Upper Beeding s big defenders always looked dangerous from set pieces and Boro had to defend a number of free kicks and corners as the game continued to follow the clash-of-styles pattern of the first period.

From one of the dead-ball situations Saunders made an outstanding one handed save to keep the scores level.

The home side s winning goal finally came on 70 minutes when Lattimer s free kick was only parried by the keeper into the path of Tony Wright who poached his second goal of the season. Agana nearly doubled the lead a few minutes later when the keeper failed to hold his shot, before Borough were forced to survive a late onslaught from the visitors.

We have a lot of quality young players at the club and it has been a matter of timing on when to introduce them to first team football. We are looking forward to an exciting season, said manager, Harry Smith.

qBorough s youth team beat Walton Casuals 4-1 in the FA Youth Cup with goals from Yahyaoui (2), Norton and Singer.