By Dick Sturch

Millwey Rise 2nd X1 4 - Bampton 2nd X1 1

Millwey Rise rose to the dizzy heights of second place in Devon and Exeter Division Eight after yet another well-earned victory.

They began the game playing against a blustery wind and the early stages remained pretty even although the visitors were beginning to look threatening on the break.

Fifteen minutes in last week's star striker, Jack Bennett, became this week's hero keeper with a great save to keep Bampton out followed quickly by a vital tip-over the bar from a powerful strike.

The visitors kept pressurising Rise defence and were rewarded in the 35th minutes when they finally fired the ball home. Far from demoralising the home side it put a new stride into their step and a fierce Ashley Hall free-kick was turned round for a corner quickly followed by the same player hitting the upright.

Minutes before the break Corbyn Wilson was injured and replaced by Jo Osborne as Rise kept pressing for the equaliser.

At the beginning of the second period, Millwey manager Terry Male made a double substitution which appeared to pay dividends when 10 minutes into the half Millwey were on level terms through Callum Farquhar from an assist by Ben Webb.

Just two minutes later they took the lead when the same player fired a powerful shot into the visitors net. Play again swung from end to end but the home side, with the wind behind them, were beginning to exert more pressure.

Bampton's best chance came from a free-kick just outside the Rise'area which was well defended and the danger past. Joe Osborne put Millwey further ahead when he scored from a Ben Webb assist and then quickly added another to leave the final result 4 - 1 to 'Rise' in a well earned victory.

This was a fine all-round team effort and as there were several candidates for man-of-the-match' in the Millwey ranks it is only fair that the victory rests on all their shoulders.