Devon Football NE league front runners Beer Albion and Budleigh Salterton shared the spoils drawing 1-1 at Budleigh on Saturday writes Richard Honnor. It looked odds-on that the Fishermen would lose their unbeaten record for the season until a dramatic 96th minute strike from Josh French earned the Fishermen a draw.
In a bright start, Beer went close to scoring on 5 minutes when Finley Rooke’s header from Brooklyn Wilkins’ free kick shaved the outside of the upright. The Fishermen dominated the early possession and forced corner after corner. But they could not find a way through a resolute Budleigh defence.
As the half progressed, the Robins became sharper in the tackle and showed more determination than the Fishermen and after a couple of pacey counter-attacks, they went ahead on 18 minutes. Their right winger whipped in a cross which was converted from close range.
Beer continued to have more possession but their play was one-dimensional, trying to force a way through the centre of the park rather than exploit the wide open spaces down each flank. Their was some improvement towards the end of the half after Finley Rooke was switched from centre back to centre forward but apart from a 25-yard Rooke free kick, the home keeper was rarely troubled.
Three minutes after the break, the Robins went close to doubling their lead when a header from a corner flew across the goal. But the Fishermen Beer continued to have the lion’s share of the possession with Budleigh reliant on quick counters which were well contained by Beer’s solid defence.
With manager Mark Rooke ringing the changes from the bench and in particular with the introduction of front man Josh French, the Fishermen at last began to play with more width and they started to open up Budleigh’s defence with increasing regularity.
But the visitors looked to be headed for defeat after missing chance after chance until French popped up in the right place to despatch that last minute equaliser from close range.
Best player for Beer on the day was Charlie Skilton who was solid in a defensive role and provided leadership and encouragement on the field to keep his side going right to the end.
Next Saturday, Beer are in Devon Premier Cup Semi-Final action away to Newtown. The Fishermen are the current holders of this trophy. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Devon and Exeter League Div 1
Beer Albion 2nd’s 1-3 Chard Town 2nd’s
Beer Albion Reserves lost 3-1 to Chard Town Reserves in an entertaining match at the Furzebrake writes Sam Phillips.
The Fishermen started brightly enough and went ahead inside 10 minutes when Reece Hales played a excellent ball over the top of Chard’s defence and Simon Smith coolly lifted the ball over the on rushing Keeper. For the next 10 minutes Beer continued to dominate possession and looked comfortable.
Chard had other ideas and equalised in the 25 minute when a cleverly worked move inside the box caught the Beer defence napping. From this moment, Chard grew in confidence and although Beer were still passing the ball around well, they were struggling to compete with their opponents’ physicality and quick play.
Chard went 2-1 ahead right on half time when a corner was half-cleared and the number 10 took full advantage to flick the ball home.
After the break, Chard were initially on top but Beer did then start to create chances and Reece Best shot just wide and then saw an effort rebound off the post.
But the visitors sealed the 3-1 victory with a well-struck shot finding the net after more casual defending by Beer. The Fishermen tried hard to get back in the game but their efforts were thwarted by a strong Chard defence.
Beer’s man-of-the-match was midfielder Simon Smith.
Up next for the Fisherman is another home game against Hatherleigh where they will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways. Kick-off at the Furzebrake is at 3pm and the match day sponsor is “Indulge in Beer”.
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