By Richard Honnor

It was a disappointing day for DFL league leaders Beer Albion 1sts who were held to a 1-1 draw away at bottom-placed Fremington on Saturday .

The Fishermen's cause was not helped when they were reduced to 10 men after Elliott Driver got his marching orders on 28 minutes for a late challenge 10 yards outside his penalty area. The referee adjudged Driver to be the "last man". Centre back Charlie Ledger took over the goalkeeper's jersey and gave an assured display. 

Beer were quickly out of the blocks and could have been well ahead before Driver's dismissal. Both Josh French and Brooklyn Wilkins tested the Fremington keeper and then Tony Pinder and French both narrowly missed the target with fierce efforts 

But after the Fishermen were reduced to 10 men, Fremington began to exploit the extra space and delivered some good crosses into the box which the visitors were at full stretch to deal with.

Beer suffered another hammer blow on 42 minutes when in-form centre forward Josh French was forced off with a pulled hamstring. Kyle Gould worked diligently as French's replacement.

As if French's loss wasn't enough, Fremington took the lead just before the break when a good low strike into the corner gave Ledger no chance.

After the break the Fishermen showed much more purpose. They opened up the home defence with the best move of the match on 50 minutes but could not find the finishing touch. Then they thought that they had equalised on 57 minutes from Alex Paget's header but the big midfielder was adjudged narrowly offside. 

Beer continued to drive forward but the final ball would just not fall in their favour. In fairness, Fremington's centre backs defended their lines heroically. 

As the game wore on, the Fishermen threw caution to the wind leaving Brook Wilkins as the only defender at times. But man-of-the-match Wilkins was in magnificent form and broke up several Fremington counter attacks single-handedly with some excellent defending.

Fremington did have one golden opportunity to clinch the win on 72 minutes when their left winger broke free and cut inside but a brilliant double save from Ledger kept Beer in the game.

Ledger's save proved vital for Beer as they managed to salvage a draw soon after with an 84th minute equaliser. Paget's long throw-in to the near post was flicked on to substitute Jake Hales who chested the ball home at the far post. 

Next Saturday, Beer travel to North Molton in the quarter final of the Devon Premier Cup. It will be a tough test as the North Devon outfit will be seeking revenge for their defeat by the Fishermen in last season's final. Beer will be well-supported as around 60 of their regular supporters plan to be at the game.

Day to remember for give-boat Best

It was a memorable day for Beer 2nds and in particular for striker Reece Best who scored five goals in Beer's 6-0 home win against East Budleigh 1sts in Devon and Exeter Division One last Saturday, writes Sam Phillips.

This was an excellent team performance at the Furzebrake and sweet revenge for the Fishermen having lost the reverse fixture by the same score line earlier in the season.

 Beer were out for revenge and took the lead after 15 minutes when a free kick into the box was flicked on by Jacob Clode to Best who coolly slotted the ball past the East Budleigh keeper. The Fishermen continued to dominate the first half creating a number of chances but had to wait until the 42nd minute to double their lead with a fine finish by Best. 

The striker grabbed his hat trick before half-time when Harry Lawrence rose highest to win the ball in the box with Best flicking the ball brilliantly into the goal. 

The second half continued in the same vein with Beer giving East Budleigh no time on the ball and they were a constant threat going forward. Best was at it again in the 60th minute when he showed great pace to drive through the East Budleigh defence and confidently slot past the keeper for his fourth. 

Harry Lawrence added a quick fifth with a deflected shot beating the Keeper from close range. But it was Best who rounded off a fine afternoon to grab his fifth and Beer's sixth goal when full of confidence he turned three players and skipped past them into the box. He weaved past the last two defenders and stroked the ball past the keeper. 

Manager Sam Phillips was full of praise for the team performance, by far their best of the season. Ma-of-the match was a easy choice for sponsor Justin Adkin at Sea Sabre Boats -Reece Best!