Beer Albion Reserves unexpectedly thumped Division 3 leaders Otterton 6-2 in the Bill Slee Cup on Saturday writes Richard Honnor. It was a day that the visitors will wish to forget. They just could not cope with the extremely windy conditions at the Furzebrake and their frustration spilled over resulting in 2 sendings-off and 6 yellow cards. By contrast the Fishermen’s young side adapted well, pressed their opponents high and outplayed their robust opponents with some fine football.
Beer kicked off with the wind at their backs and penned Otterton in their own half. Within the first 2 minutes, the Fishermen created two good chances and they went ahead on 3 minutes when striker Taylor Rooke slotted home a penalty after he was brought down in the area.
Otterton had a great chance to equalise on 10 minutes when a corner was headed fractionally wide but Beer went two ahead when Rooke converted his 2nd penalty on 15 minutes. As he challenged for a corner, Beer midfielder Alex Paget was felled by a clumsy elbow challenge and the offending Otterton centre back received his marching orders. Rooke coolly executed the spot kick into the corner giving keeper Mike Simpson no chance.
The Fishermen continued to dominate with midfielder Paget pulling the strings but had to wait until the 35th minute for their third goal. Paget hit a sweet strike from 25 yards which keeper Simpson appeared to have covered. But the ball took a wicked deflection off of Rooke, leaving Simpson stranded and providing Rooke somewhat fortunately with his hat-trick. Paget chipped in with Beer’s 4th goal on the stroke of half time scoring from close range after another corner kick.
After the break and with the wind now at their backs, this was Otterton’s chance to get back into the game but they completely blew it on 47 minutes when they conceded an unnecessary third penalty with the half just 2 minutes old. It was another clumsy foul and Taylor Rooke produced another perfect spot-kick to score his 4th and put Beer 5-0 ahead.
Otterton did have plenty of possession in the 2nd half but failed to capitalise as they regularly overhit the final ball. On 68 minutes Beer went 6-0 up with the best goal of the game. This time Rooke was the provider as he broke away from the Otterton defence and unselfishly squared the ball to Billy Long who placed his shot past the keeper from 7 yards.
As Otterton’s frustration boiled over, the tackles flew in and another player received his marching orders after a late challenge on Beer wing back Ryan King. The visitors did score two late consolation goals on 85 and 90 minutes but marred their late rally with further reckless challenges resulting in Beer’s two impressive young centre backs Liam Cox and Jay Catley being helped off before the final whistle.
Match sponsor East Devon Physiotherapy of Sidford awarded man of the match to Beer’s midfielder Alex Paget whilst for Otterton midfielder Tom Matthew worked hard to salvage something for his side.
Next Saturday, Beer Reserves are again in Cup action at the Furzebrake. Their opponents are Kingskerswell and Chelston 2nds and match sponsor is Beer Wet Fish Shop. Kick off is at 2pm.
Saint Martins 1-0 Beer Albion 1st’s
With several key players unavailable through injuries and holidays and with just 11 players and no substitutes travelling, Beer Albion 1st’s expected to be well beaten by Peninsular League outfit St. Martins in the Throgmorton Devon Premier Cup on Saturday writes Richard Honnor. But the depleted Fishermen produced a magnificent display and in the end were disappointed to lose by the odd goal.
In truth St Martins dominated possession but Beer are renowned for reserving their best performances against strong opposition. The home side’s winner came on 73 minutes. The Fishermen’s midfield duo of Alex Hunt and John Cooper were outstanding and the defence was well marshalled by centre backs Andrew Foster and Martin Adkin.
Next Saturday Beer 1st’s are back in Devon and Exeter League Premier Division action with another tough fixture away at 2nd placed Newtown. Newtown won 2-0 at the Furzebrake a couple of weeks ago but the Fishermen will be looking to turn the tables after their heroics at St Martins.