By Dick Sturch

Millwey Rise 1st X1 2, St Martins 2nd X1 1

If this game had been settled by corners St Martins would have won 14 - 1 which probably indicates the pressure they put the Millwey Rise'defence under from the kick-off. This was by far one of the most exciting and enjoyable games seen at Cloakham so far this Season.

In the first 15 minutes the visitors kept up a constant barrage on Millwey's goal and but for one brilliant diving save by Flynn Smith would have taken the lead. Minutes after Rise had their first attempt on goal with a Nathan Womersley strike. Immediately afterwards a combination of central defender Lee Beer and keeper Flynn somehow kept the ball from crossing the home goal line before clearing it away for another Martins corner. A further three corners followed which were all dealt with by some resolute defending before the half time whistle provided a respite for the hard pressed 'Rise' defence.

At the resumption Millwey were forced into two substitutions when key players Zak Meaker and Bailey Hall both succumbed to injuries. Jack Bennett and Ben Rosling came on as replacements.

Dave Bridges managed to get a shot away on the visitors goal but with no discomfort for the keeper as it cleared the bar. Smith in the Rise goal was again called into action as he turned another strike around the post for a further corner which came to nothing.

A turning point came when a long clearance from defence found Bennett who brought the ball under control before beating the Martins' keeper with a delicate lob from outside the penalty area to give his team an unexpected lead.

Within a further two minutes the visitors were level following a poor clearance which was gratefully seized on and punished. For the remainder of the match honours were relatively even until the final quarter. Shane Featherstone had just replaced Luke Thurlow when Millwey were awarded a free kick some distant out near the touchline. Womersley took the kick and struck the ball home into the far corner of the net to give Millwey the lead which they held until the final whistle despite having to survive two more corner kicks.

Again it would be unfair not to praise everyone who played a part in this hard earned victory but worthy of mention are Nathan Womersley, Lee Beer and Sam Turner.

The manager's man-of-the-match was Millwey's young goal keeper Flynn Smith for some incredible saves that enabled the ultimate victory.

Thisvictory keeps Millwey in third place in the Devon and Exeter League Division Five, on equal points with the side above the, Bickleigh 1sts.