By Richard Honour

Devon and Exeter Premier Division

Beer Albion 6-0 Colyton

In front of a crowd of 160, Beer Albion went back to to top of the Devon and Exeter Premier Division after a spectacular 6-0 win against local rivals Colyton.

The Furzebrake spectators were treated to a goal-fest, all six being scored in the first 45 minutes. Although Colyton saw plenty of the ball, their defence had no answer to the pace and directness of Beer's ruthless forwards who converted six of the seven chances they created.

It was clear from the outset that the visitors intended to press high in numbers but they left themselves exposed to the quick counterattack.

With only 2 minutes gone, Beer were in front. Left wing back George Harwood delivered a dangerous cross which was headed home by Josh Lund whose run into the box was unchecked by the Colyton defence.

Harwood had a super match. His defensive play was composed and his passing was immaculate throughout.

Undeterred by the early setback, Colyton continued to push forward but went 2-0 behind on seven minutes when their defence, pressurised by Giles Basson, failed to clear keeper Elliot Driver's long clearance. Basson latched on to the loose ball, outpacing the Colyton defence to place the ball into the corner past keeper Sam Riley's despairing left hand.

In the 11th minute, it was 3-0 when Chris Long ghosting in at the far post powered home an unstoppable header from Harwood's driven-in corner. Colyton responded immediately with a far post header of their own but this time the ball went tantalisingly wide of the target.

On 13 minutes, Beer almost added another goal when a 20-yard free kick delivered by Harwood rattled the crossbar.

But the Fishermen were back on target 10 minutes later when Tony Pinder scored his first goal for the club to make the score 4-0. The effervescent Pinder was put through by Basson and he coolly slotted the ball home from 12 yards past the advancing Riley.

Pluckily, Colyton continued to take the game to their opponents and produced a swift passing move resulting in a shot dealt comfortably by Driver. But on 35 minutes they were punished yet again on the counter when sweeper Liam Cox's pass sent Lund racing down the right wing. Lund delivered the perfect cross for midfielder Brook Wilkins arriving unmarked at the far post to head home for a 5-0 lead.

Beer's sixth goal, scored on the stroke of half time, came as a result of a defensive mix up. Again Basson was well-placed to steal possession and he linked up with Pinder who took the ball past a defender and then beat keeper Riley to score his 2nd goal. Pinder worked tirelessly for his side throughout and was good value for his two goals.

By contrast the 2nd half was an anti-climax. With the security of a 6-goal advantage, Beer sat back and Colyton had more of the possession. Although the visitors went close on a number of occasions, the Fishermen's defence kept their fourth clean sheet of the season with another solid display.

For Colyton, midfielder Ross Broom worked tirelessly, as did their best player on the day, Callum Somers. But the man-the-match award was given by sponsor Norman Lambert to Tony Pinder for his all round industry and double strike.

Beer 2nd's suffered their first defeat of the season going out of the Devon Senior Cup 4-1 away at Plymouth and West Devon side, Mountwise.

For the first time in living memory both Beer sides head their respective Divisions. They will be hoping that it stays that way after next week's matches when Beer 1st's travel to Colyton 1st's for the return league fixture whilst the Reserves entertain Clyst Valley Reserves. Kick-off at the Furzebrake is at 3 pm and the match is sponsored by John Wheeler Ltd.