By Richard Honnor

Joma Devon and Exeter Division 2

Beer Albion 2nds 2, Winkleigh 2 Beer Albion Reserves retained top spot in the Devon and Exeter Division Two drawing 2-2 at home against 2nd-placed Winkleigh . With 20 minutes remaining, the Fishermen were trailing 2-0 but they dug deep with two late goals to deny their closest rivals the three points. Playing conditions were difficult on the wet surface and there was very little to separate the sides for the first 30 minutes and few real chances were created. Beer's normally influential midfield were being denied time and space on the ball and were guilty of over-hitting their passes with the wind behind them. Gradually Winkleigh started to test Beer's defence and the Fishermen made things difficult for themselves by giving away unnecessary free kicks just outside the penalty box Winkleigh were denied the lead on 35 minutes by a brilliant double-save from keeper Martin Hill. Having somehow pushed a fierce shot from 10 yards on to the crossbar he then saved the follow-shot with his feet from six yards to thwart the Winkleigh player who had the goal at his mercy. Beer's only clear-cut chance of the first half came on 40 minutes but Reece Best missed the target after Smith's free kick had been fumbled by the Winkleigh keeper. As half time drew near, Hill made another good save following a driving midfield run by outstanding Winkleigh midfielder Freddie Finch. But Hill was unable to prevent the visitors going 1-0 ahead on 43 minutes A long free kick into the box was not cleared and the Winkleigh forward tucked the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble. Beer started the 2nd half brightly and were unlucky when Alex Paget's header from Smith's corner was deflected on to the bar. Playing into the breeze, the Fishermen were passing the ball better now. Winkleigh were dangerous on the break but Beer's defence with Jack Harwood outstanding was looking really solid. But the Fishermen could not make a breakthrough and went 2-0 behind on 64 minutes when Winkleigh scored with a header from a deep corner. Beer pushed the irrepressible Jack Harwood further forward in a desperate attempt to save the game. They were duly rewarded on 72 minutes when Harwood took a good first touch on a through ball from Paget and fired home from 10 yards. Chances at both ends were now coming thick and fast and Beer substitute Richard Walker's deft 77th minute effort was finger-tipped over the bar by the Winkleigh keeper at full stretch. In a dramatic finish, Beer snatched the equaliser on 88 minutes.A long throw from Alex Paget was back-headed by Richard Walker across the 6- yard line and Josh Lund forced the ball home from close range to earn Beer a share of the spoils. Winkleigh full-back Samuel Bedford and midfielder Freddie Finch were the pick of their team, whilst for Beer Martin Hill made some fine saves. But sponsor Colebrooke House awarded man-of-the match to Beer's outstanding player Jack Harwood Albion work hard for victory over University Joma Devon and Exeter Premier Division

University of Exeter 2n's 0, Beer Albion 1sts 4

Beer Albion 1sts remain third in Devon and Exeter Premier Division after a 4-0 away win at Exeter University.

The score line suggests a comfortable win for the first team but it was far from it as Uni played some fine attacking football. But thanks to some great saves by keeper Elliot Driver and a resolute back line in which George Harwood excelled as sweeper, the Fishermen were able to win by a convincing margin.

The poor playing surface was full of divots making passing football difficult. Beer manager Mark Rooke soon realised that closing down the space in midfield and a direct long-ball approach was the best plan against such a talented football side. Midfielders Charley Skilton and Brooklyn Wilkins worked incredibly hard to execute this plan.

The Fishermen's pace and guile up front is always great outlet for a direct approach and so it proved with goals from Josh French, Giles Basson, Tony Pinder, and Jacob Hale.

Neither Beer's first nor the Reserves have games next week.