Devon Premier Cup

Beer Albion 7-0 Plymouth Hope

Beer Albion whose main sponsor is Edenvale Turf (SW) Ltd sailed into the last 16 of the Devon Premier Cup with a convincing 7-0 win against Plymouth Hope at a wet and windy Furzebrake on Saturday writes RIchard Honnor. Whilst the Plymouth and West Devon Premier League outfit had some skilful individuals on show, their frailties in defence were frequently exposed by the Fishermen’s bold attacking play.

Much of the first half was keenly contested with both sides going at each other with open attacking football and plenty of chances ensued. But it was the Fishermen who looked the more threatening and they took a 1-0 lead on 18 minutes through Charley Skilton. The young midfielder started the move in his own half with a great pass which released Taylor Rooke down the left. Rooke beat his man, then drilled a cross into the the area which Skilton, driving forward, met with an unstoppable header past Hope’s keeper.

But the visitors responded well and only a good save on 19 minutes

by Beer Keeper Elliott Driver with his feet prevented Hope’s Kelvin Fyneboy from levelling up the scores. This proved to be a key moment as Beer went 2-0 ahead 2 minutes later when a throw-in on the right was flicked on by Jay Catley to striker Chris Long who swept the ball under the keeper’s body from 12 yards out.

The plucky visitors continued to take the game to the Fishermen who had to defend desperately at times to maintain their two-goal advantage. Only a last- ditch block by Beer centre back Fraser Beaumont on 28 minutes followed by another excellent close range save by Driver from the ensuing corner prevented Plymouth Hope reducing the arrears.

But Hope’s defence always looked vulnerable to Beer’s swift counter attacks and after missing several good chances Beer scored twice more just before the break. On 40 minutes midfielder Finley Rooke found Chris Long with an inch-perfect 20 yard pass down the left channel and the Beer striker forced the ball home at the second attempt. Then, 3 minutes later Beer somewhat fortunately went 4-0 up when a wind-assisted cross from Catley bounced up wickedly in front of the keeper and sailed over his head into the net.

After the break, the Furzebrake supporters were treated to some fine attacking football. After Long had shaved Hope’s post with a firm header, their outstanding forward, Fyneboy, hit the post with a free kick and then shot narrowly wide after a mazy run.

But Beer went 5-0 up on 57 minutes with best goal of the game. Wing-back Jack Prior found Catley down the right flank who pulled his cross back from the by-line to Skilton who scored his 2nd goal with a superb first time left-foot strike from the edge of the 18 yard box.

The Fishermen were now in complete control and Chris Long completed his hat- trick when he nudged in Jack Prior’s low cross on 73 minutes and then Giles Basson wrapped up the 7-0 win when he cut in from the left and fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

Match sponsor John Wheeler Builders Ltd singled out Kelvin Fyneboy as Plymouth Hope’s best player whilst for Beer Charley Skilton was named man-of-the-match. Not far behind were the performances of Liam Cox who was calm and assured at the heart of the Beer defence and keeper Elliott Driver.

Next Saturday, Beer 1st’s resume their Macron Premier Division programme with a short trip to local rivals Colyton. Meanwhile at the Furzebrake Beer 2nd’s entertain Newton St Cyres 1st’s in Macron Division 2. Kick-off is at 2:15 and the match sponsor is Bessie Mai’s.