By Dick Sturch

Millwey Rise 1st X1 1, Bickleigh 1st X1 2

Leaders Bickleigh were made to work hard by a determined Millwey Rise team in their first Devon and Exeter League Division Five match of 2023, one of the few local matches to survive the weather.

On a heavy pitch and with the wind behind them, Rise went ahead in the second minute when a Joe Osborne shot was deflected into the net by a Bickleigh defender.

Another two minutes and the home side's Chris Fry was forced to leave the field with an injury. Millwey were really piling on the pressure . Although in one of their rare breakaways Bickleigh were awarded a free-kick just outside the area. In the ensuing melee Millwey's young keeper Flynn Smith bravely dived at the feet of an onrushing forward to smother the scoring opportunity.

Osborne came so close again to increasing Millwey's lead when his powerful volley hit the woodwork with the Bickleigh keeper helpless. He again had the ball in the net only this time to be ruled offside.

Millwey's keeper Smith again showed his bravery when he came to collect a bouncing ball and collided with an onrushing Bickleigh forward. Both players sustained head injuries and left the field. Jack Bennett replaced Smith in the Rise goal and was immediately called upon to tip a goal bound shot over the bar. The visitors then had a series of corners but they were all dealt with and the Millwey went into the break one goal to the good.

With the wind in their back Bickleigh were soon on the attack and earnt several corners which were dealt with by the Rise defence where Alex Rockett was dominant.

Millwey Manager Shane Featherstone then introduced Jack Farrant to replace Lee Beer. Bennett then came to Rise's rescue when he pushed a goal-bound shot onto the bar and out for a corner. With both sides pressing the referee was called upon several times to intervene in over zealous tackles. Bickleigh eventually equalised after a goalmouth scramble. Owen Enticott gave way to Luke Thurlow for the final quarter.

Bickleigh got the winning goal when a free-kick was turned into the Rise net. The last ten minutes saw efforts from Furlow and then Nathan Womersley fall agonisingly the wrong side of the visitor's upright and in the final minute a free-kick awarded to Millwey was gratefully scrambled away.

For Millwey everyone gave their all no more so than young keeper Flynn Smith whose bravery resulted in a head injury for which everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. Another youngster Joe Osborne, who continues to impress, was the Manager's man-of-the- match. Nathan Womersley never stopped running and played a prominent role both in attack and mid-field.

Ex Dons 1st X1 8, Millwey Rise 2nd X1 2

Millwey Rise Reserves travelled to Exmouth to play top of the league Ex Dons in a game that was thought to be a closely contested match. That being said. Millwey went two goals behind very quickly and were fighting an uphill battle from then on.

Rise looked out of sorts and found it difficult to get a foothold in the game and Dons added a third goal . Millwey had chances but nothing came of them until a penalty was awarded for a foul on striker Wayne Jenkins. Captain Ashley Hall stepped up to take the penalty but his brilliantly struck effort was matched by an equally fantastic save from the home keepr.

Millwey then scored to make it 3-1 when top scorer Ben Rosling calmly slotted home to reduce the arrears. Ex Dons continued to dominate and pressurised Millwey more and more in the first half.

Second half saw Millwey make a bright start and Ben Rosling getting his second of the game. But any optimism was soon blown away as Dons exerted more effort and more goals to finish the game with 8. In the dying minutes Millwey were reduced to 10 men when Will Osborne was shown red when, as last man, he was adjudged to have fouled a Dons player.

On reflection the Millwey management were confident in the team they selected but missing the regular goalkeeper, a vital component of their season, left a position they were unable to fill adequately which proved costly.

"Being frank," said manager Terry Male, "I was happy with some parts of this game but ultimately I feel I should have made some better decisions."