By Dick Sturch

Braveheart 1st X1 5, Millwey Rise 1st X1 0 Millwey Rise were given an early indication of the task in front of them when after breaking quickly from defence the home side came within a whisker of opening the scoring. Rise gathered themselves together and a Braveheart defender was forced to turn a goal bound shot away for a corner. But just eight minutes into the game they fell behind when a quick counter ended with the ball being firmly struck into the Rise net. Once more gathering themselves Millwey went on the attack but again came undone when they were twice caught in possession and suffered the consequences to go two down. Bravehearts were dictating large parts of the game forcing Rise onto the back foot and conceding corners and free kicks in the process. Young Owen Enticott sustained an injury and was replaced by another youngster, Joe Osborne. Towards the end of the half Millwey came close on several occasions with efforts from Osborne and Shayne Featherstone. An Alex Rockett free kick on the edge of the home side's penalty area flew inches over the bar and a long range effort from Nathan Womersley was equally as close. The second period began with a real blow for Rise when a sliced kick by a defender beat keeper Brett Garner for an own goal putting Bravehearts three goals up. This certainly spurred them on and the Rise goal came under constant attack and it was obvious more goals were in the offing. The final two goals came about when Millwey defenders were caught in possession and paid the price. Shayne Featherstone gave way to Ben Webb for the final quarter but minutes later, with no more subs available, Sam Turner was forced off with an ankle injury and Millwey played out the remainder of the game with ten men. Although Rise never gave up they were under constant pressure from a well organised Braveheart team. Nathan Hoole was definitely Millwey's man-of-the-match in defence and joining with the attack he covered every inch of the pitch. Zak Meaker and Nathan Womersley never ceased in their effort to drive Rise forward. Next week's game at Cranbrook will again test Millwey's ability to survive against formidable opponents (kick-off 2-15pm).