By Andy Cobbold

Joma Devon and Exeter League Division Two

Beer Reserves 1, Dunkeswell 0 It had been a difficult week for both sets of managers trying to get two teams sorted for Saturday's matches, with a number of players suffering from illness or injuries. With the first team game called off early on Saturday morning, the Reserves were able to include the players that had been previously called up to the senior side.. Watched by 80-plus supporters, the first 25 minutes were very scrappy with both teams trying to get used to the strong wind. Dunkeswell had the advantage of the wind in the first half so Beer knew they had to weather the Dunks' pressure. For the last 20 minutes of the first half Beer got on top and created plenty of chances. On another day Jake Hale could have had a first half hat-trick and Josh Lund, Jacob Clode and Simon Smith also went close but Beer had to settle for 0-0 at half-time. The home side were disappointed not to take a lead into the second half but the managers and crowd were pleased with how Beer were playing and the feeling around the ground was that in the second half Beer would find the back of the net. Beer took the lead after 55 minutess when Max Richardson came off his wing to pick up the ball and play an inch-perfect through ball to Jake Hale who slotted the ball into the bottom corner, a fantastic composed finish from the young striker. Richardson was substituted after 60 minutes as he was feeling the effects of the weekend's Grizzly race. Young Harry Lawrence replaced him. Josh Lund had a great chance on 65 minutess ro make it 2-0 when he somehow missed a one-on-one after chasing down three lost causes to get himself clean through, a real shame as he deserved a goal for the tireless work he put in for the team. Josh French was introduced on 70 minutes for a run-out after some niggling injury issues. As the game went on the young legs of Beer's Harry Lawrence and Jake Hale going forward were putting a lot of pressure on the Dunks' back-line but the final pass or final shot wasn't quite up to Beer's usual standard. Josh French had a fierce shot saved on 75 minutes after great movement. The inevitable scenario of missed chances happened when Dunkeswell were awarded a penalty. It was the only time in the game Beer made an error defensively and the referee awarded it after what seemed an age for him to make up his mind. The resulting penalty was ballooned over the bar and Beer's stand-in keeper, Shaun Denslow, said aftert the game he would have saved it anyway! The game ended 1-0 to Beer and it was played in an excellent spirit with good refereeing. The win keeps Beer in the hunt for a top-three finish. There were some excellent performance's for Beer all over the pitch, the forwards and midfield worked tirelessly and the back and keeper hardly putting a foot or glove wrong. The man-of-the-match was awarded to Ashley Driver in his first start for the club in over three years after coming back from an injury. He was strong and commending at the heart of Beer's defence.