By Dick Sturch

South Zeal 2nd X1 2 - Millwey Rise 2nd X1 2

Millwey Rise 2nd X1 made what is probably their longest trip from home to South Zeal and came back with their first point of the season.

Rise started the game very well and looked every bit the more dangerous of the two sides for the first 25 minutes, but it was the hosts who took the lead with a deflected shot which beat their young keeper Flynn Smith.

This appeared to be the spur Millwey needed and when Sam Beviss was brought down on the edge of the area Ash Doble fired the resulting free-kick just over the bar. Moments later a second free-kick was awarded a touch further out. Doble again stepped up and this time despatched a brilliantly strike in to the top corner and Rise went into the interval all level.

The second half saw Millwey come out firing on all cylinders and after a flurry of chances it was an absolute belting half volley from Robbie Prior, who took the ball over his shoulder and smashed it past the home keeper to give Millwey the lead.

As the rain started to pour down heavily Rise lost their way and some missed tackles and missed clearance resulted in South Zeal scoring to level the match at 2-2.

Both teams then went searching for the winning goal and it was nail biting end-to-end stuff with both keepers making great saves to help their respective teams to the final draw.

Millwey management Male and Morgan praised the whole team with everyone playing a big part in securing the first point of the season.

Sam Beviss again impressed on the left and a great performance from 16 year-old Josh Marlow, who confidently controlled the centre of the park. Both players could have been player of the match but that honour again went to Flynn Smith in goal who improves more and more each game.

Amory Green Rovers are next week's visitors and the team will look to build on this promising result.

Millwey's first team went down 5-0 at home to Starcross Dons in Division Five of the Devon and Exeter League.