By Richard Honnor

Devon Football League North and East Division

Barnstaple Town 2nds 0-3 Beer Albion 1sts 

Beer Albion 1sts remain unbeaten this season after a convincing 3-0 away victory at Barnstaple Town 2nds. The win keeps them in second place in the DFL North and East Division level on points with Newtown who have a slightly superior goal difference.

Playing into a swirling headwind, The Fishermen took awhile to get into their stride and Barnstaple applied the early pressure. The main threat came down the Barnstaple right but Beer central defenders Joe Adkin, Charlie Ledger and Liam Cox dealt well with a barrage of early crosses and corners and behind them keeper Elliot Driver's handling was impeccable under pressure.

The home side made some strong physical challenges and their tall Centre Back received an early booking after late challenges on Giles Basson and Elliot Driver. Beer's composure was tested throughout the first half and Finley Rooke was booked for retaliation and Charlie Skilton was sin binned on the half hour for showing frustration. But as the half drew to a close their were signs that Beer were finally showing an attacking threat with creative midfielder Jacob Rowe and Tony Pinder creating chances for Josh French and Giles Basson respectively.

After the break and with the wind at their backs Beer started to dominate the match. Rowe was pulling the strings in midfield with some driving runs and superb long passes releasing wide players Basson and Pinder who were increasingly stretching the Barnstaple defence. 

French was unlucky not to score on 55 minutes when he slotted Pinder's cross narrowly wide from 12 yards out and then the Barnstaple keeper made two point- blank saves to keep his side in the game.

But Beer were not to be denied and they took the lead on 62 minutes. It was a solo effort from Basson who broke from his own half immediately after Beer had defended a free kick. Basson shrugged off a challenge and fired home from 12 yards under the keeper's body.

The home side were now tiring and Beer went 2-0 ahead on 69 minutes after another fine ball from man-of-the-match Rowe found French who controlled the ball well and scored from close range. The result was put beyond doubt when Basson scored his 2nd goal on 87 minutes, a perfectly placed free kick past the defensive wall into the bottom right corner.

Next Saturday Barnstaple travel to Beer for the return league fixture. Kick off is at 3 pm and the match sponsor is Norman Lambert.

Devon and Exeter Division 1

Beer Albion 2nd's 1-1 Upottery

Beer Albion 2nds achieved a creditable draw against league leaders Upottery at the Furzebrake last Saturday. It was a thrilling contest with the Fishermen working incredibly hard across the park to match talented opponents. 

A 0-0 outcome looked on the cards but there was a dramatic finish when Upottery went 1-0 ahead on 85 minutes after a breakaway down the right. But Beer drove forward and were rewarded with the equaliser late into added time when Jack Prior's cross was headed home by Alex Paget. 

Match sponsor Annings Plumbing & Heating Engineers Ltd. awarded man-of-the match to Ashley Driver who was well-supported by Jamie Walker and James Hill. Next week Beer 2nds travel to East Budleigh for a division 1 match.