Odd Couple for Beds

Saturday's Preliminary Round tie in the competition for Step 7 leagues, featuring the Mid Sussex League and the Bedfordshire League, turned out to be a very one-sided affair.

The visitors scored twice in each half for their 4-0 victory, but could easily have doubled their tally under a cloudless sky at Hassocks near Brighton.

The MSL didn't advance beyond the halfway line until the seventh minute and in their first attack, five minutes later, Joel Baker blasted a left-footer on the run that soared over the muddy mound behind Luke Kiteley's goal. The BFL peppered them with corner-kicks from both sides and huge throw-ins from Nicky Threadgold on the right before achieving a breakthrough on 16 minutes.

Indecision in the home defence allowed Leeroy Odd to burst unchallenged through the middle. Shaun Chapman rushed out to deal with it, but Odd's firm effort flew high into the net. Then the overworked Chapman made a series of solid saves to deny the BFL until an unmarked Dean Warren cleverly dinked a header over him four minutes from the break for 2-0.

The MSL were making so little headway inside the visitors' half that their frustration was starting to show. Cautions for Harry New and Keiran Leahy came close together, and when New's right boot connected with the nose of BFL skipper Neville Allen as he attempted a reckless overhead kick, referee Sotimirin indicated that the next indiscretion would see the midfielder red-carded.

After appearing to get a tighter grip on things in defence, the MSL were wide open again as they conceded a third on 56 minutes. Jason Allison cut in from the left, letting rip with a shot that Chapman couldn't hold, and Warren pounced to force the loose ball home with the 'keeper grounded. Odd completed the scoring ten minutes from time, nodding down into the bottom corner following a right-wing corner, and was then immediately substituted.

With talent throughout the side, the Bedfordshire Football League could do well in this competition. There are four more Preliminary Round ties this coming Saturday.

Attendance: 40  

Goals
Befordshire Football League
Odd 16, 80, Warren 41, 56