Category: Reports League

alphington fc

Alphas Edge Out Eagles in Entertaining League Cup Tie

Article and photo by Tom Besford.

Current league leaders Alphington entertained third place Elmore at the Chronicles in the ThirstFitness League Cup and the well populated crowd were treated to an entertaining affair that went all the way to penalties.

The hosts started the game strong and controlled the majority of the possession but failed to really create any chances that could possibly lead to goals. The Eagles did well to soak up the pressure and were quick to break, and they had the opening chance of the match, after twelve minutes, when Cody Stansfield beat the home ‘keeper to the ball, but his shot towards an open goal was weak, and an Alphington defender was able to recover and get the ball away to safety.

It was Elmore who continued to have the best of the chances in the first half, and they came close again just before the twenty minute mark when the ball dropped to Brandon Parsons who fired his shot just wide of the post. It would be Parsons that had the next major chance of the game as well, less than ten minutes later, as he saw his effort blocked in the box. Parsons was lucky that the ball bounced back to him but his second goal bound effort was also blocked.

With just five minutes until half time, the deadlock was broken and it was the hosts who took the lead, Jack Mills finding the back of the net. The ball broke free to Mills on the edge of the area who hit his shot low into the bottom corner through a crowded penalty area.

The lead was almost doubled in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half as Elmore defender Luke Broomfield sliced a clearance towards his own goal, but thankfully his goalkeeper saved his blushes as Aaron Marks pushed the ball over his crossbar and out for a corner.

Alphington came out looking for a second goal at the restart and had a couple of early chances as they looked to double their advantage. A cross from the right wing was headed just over the bar by Tre Davey, and Jordan Casey Ford tried his luck from distance as his effort from forty yards out had keeper Marks diving backwards to push the ball over his bar.

As the game passed the hour mark, the visitors managed to find an equaliser; Davey lost the ball on the edge of his own area which was gathered by Stansfield beating the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net. This made for an interesting finale to the game as neither team would want to take the game to a dreaded penalty shoot-out.

The Alphas came the closest to winning the game as Ben Annunziata burst into the box from the right wing and fired over but neither team could win it meaning penalties were required.

Brandon Parsons, Dan Cole, Cody Stansfield and Tom Bedingham scored their penalties for Elmore whilst Rhys Parsons put his wide and Ryan Shrewsbury had his saved by Leon Woodhead. For Alphington, Jack Furzer, Ben Annunziata, Tre Davey, Jack Mills and Rio Potter scored whilst Charlie Dack saw his saved. Alphington progressed on penalties 5-4 as their name goes into the pot for the next round draw.

Alphington team: Leon Woodhead, Jordan Casey Ford, Jack Furzer, Jack Mills, Charlie Dack, Harry Walford, Rio Potter, Jake Pono, John Gaskins, Tre Davey, Jamie Dingle

Subs: Dean Billingsley, Ben Annunziata, Tom Bray, Charlie Gillard, Harry Wellaway

Elmore team: Aaron Marks, Kamil Wojtowicz, Ryan Shrewsbury, Luke Broomfield, Tom Bedingham, Connor Pearce, Dan Cole, Connor Heard, Lewis White, Brandon Parsons, Cody Stansfield

Subs: Luke Andrews, Rhys Parsons, Freddie Ansley

bere alston united v plymouth marjon

League Champs Get Their Season Underway in Another Busy Week

Photos © Tom Besford

It is another busy week in the A&S Interiors Devon Football League this week as all but three teams play which includes University of Exeter playing their first league game of the season.

Dartmouth, Ipplepen Athletic and Budleigh Salterton are all without a game. The games continue to come thick and fast in August as the league table slowly starts to take shape, two teams remain unbeaten whilst three clubs remain winless, it’s proving to be a competitive division already.

Appledore v University of Exeter:

Last season’s champions University of Exeter start their new season with a tough match on the road at last season’s runners up Appledore in what will be a competitive and entertaining match. Appledore won the home fixture 2-0 last season whilst University won their home match 3-0 as the two teams battled it out at the top of the table for the majority of the campaign. The hosts have won two and lost one of their opening three fixtures this season but come into this match on the back of a 2-1 local derby victory against North Molton SC in midweek.

Beer Albion v Alphington:

Alphington have adapted to life back in the Devon Football League extremely well and are the only team with a 100% record having won all four of their opening games. The Alphas’ 100% record was put to the test on Tuesday night as they needed to come from behind with ten men to secure victory at Ipplepen but two goals from Jack Furzer helped the Alphas to the points. Beer Albion have won two and lost one prior to this game and had to work hard in midweek to pick up the points against an Ottery St Mary side who never gave up. This will be the first league meeting between the two sides since the 1991/1992 season when both clubs featured in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division.

Bere Alston United v Newtown:

These two sides come into this game in contrasting form as Bere Alston United have lost their last two whilst Newtown are unbeaten in their last three league matches. Bere Alston won this fixture 2-1 last season and with the return game finishing in a 1-1 draw, Newtown will be hoping to pick up their first league win against Bere Alston at the third time of asking. Both clubs have visited Thorverton in the last week as Bere Alston lost 2-1 on Saturday whilst Newtown battled hard for a 3-2 win in midweek. The hosts will be hoping to recover from a heavy midweek defeat against Plymouth Marjon.

Elmore v Plymstock United:

It has been a week of mixed results for an Elmore side who have started the season strongly, a fantastic 4-1 home win against Dartmouth on Saturday grabbed the attention of most local football fans but this was followed by a midweek loss at home against Topsham Town. Their opponents Plymstock United have struggled a bit so far this season with three defeats in their opening three games before winning 4-0 at Lakeside Athletic in midweek. Plymstock United have never beaten Elmore in a league game with the Eagles winning both matches last season 4-1 and 3-2.

Lakeside Athletic v Topsham Town:

It has been a tough opening few games for Lakeside Athletic who have lost all three of their games so far this season and sit bottom of the division. Their opponents Topsham Town are enjoying some fantastic form at the moment and have won their last three games, all without conceding as well. Lakeside won both fixtures last season 4-1 and 3-2 and so Topsham Town will be hoping it will be third time lucky and win a league game against Lakeside for the first time.

North Molton SC v Thorverton:

This will be the first away game of the season for Thorverton who have played their first four games at home with one win and one draw alongside two defeats, including a 3-2 loss against Newtown in midweek. The hosts are yet to get going this season and have lost both of their opening games, a 3-1 home loss to Alphington followed by a 2-1 defeat at Appledore midweek. Thorverton won both fixtures last season but lost both games during the 22/23 season.

Plymouth Marjon v Ottery St Mary:

Plymouth Marjon hit six without return in midweek at Bere Alston and look like a strong team in the division already as they remain unbeaten after four games. Marjon don’t seem to be shy in front of goal and have so far scored eighteen goals in their first four. Ottery St Mary worked hard in midweek at Beer Albion but ultimately returned home with no points to show for their efforts. One win, draw and loss from the opening three for Ottery who will be hoping for a better season than last year. Ottery were unbeaten in the league against Plymouth Marjon last season drawing 1-1 at home and winning 4-3 away, however, a second trip to Plymouth in the ThirstFitness League Cup ended in a 5-1 defeat.

bere alston v plymouth marjon

Second Half Goal Blitz for Marjon at Bere Alston

Match report and photos by Tom Besford

Plymouth Marjon are on fine form this season and came into this match at Bere Alston United looking to add to their already impressive goal tally against a home side who were looking to bounce back following defeat on the road at the weekend.

It was a real game of two halves in South Devon but an entertaining game for those in attendance on a chilly Tuesday evening in August.

Both teams started brightly playing quick attacking football and it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken as Plymouth Marjon took the lead after just seven minutes. A low cross from the right by James Bridges found Lee Coxon at the far post who had the simplest of tasks with tapping the ball into the back of an empty net.

The home side played some good attacking football as they looked to get back into the game but the final ball just seemed to be lacking with the attack often petering out and resulting in a goal kick to Plymouth Marjon. The visitors were still searching for a second goal of their own which led to an end to end game and Liam Donovan struck a shot on the turn which was fumbled by Michael Moore in the home goal but he was quick to react to gather the ball and prevent any further danger.

The best chance the home side had in the first half came in the last ten minutes as Jak Plummer got the better of the visiting defence before hitting a shot low towards the corner, however, Dom Richards was equal to it and managed to push the ball out for a corner.

The second half was less than a minute old and Marjon should’ve doubled the lead when Donovan squared the ball across goal to Coxon who fired over the bar from inside the six yard box, a chance which looked easier to score.

The visitors didn’t have to wait much longer to double their lead as two goals came in quick succession within the first six minutes of the half. Firstly Coxon turned provider as he played a far post cross for Donovan to fire home before Donovan added another moments later as got on the end of a ball from Jake Anderson.

What was already a hard task for Bere Alston had become even harder within a blink of an eye and they now had to come back from 3-0 down. The home team showed good spirit and never gave up as they looked for a way back into the game. Harry Eaton came close to starting a come back as he shot from the edge of the box but Richards pulled off a great save to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

The game was pretty much confirmed as over as a contest moments later as Donovan completed his hat-trick in fantastic fashion. Thirty yards out, the Marjon front man saw the home keeper stranded off his line and sent the ball over his head and into the back of the net, a goal that will live long in the strikers memory.

With just over quarter of an hour to play Bere knew luck was against them as Ryan Brimacombe hit a fantastic shot from the edge of the box leaving Richards with no chance of saving but could only watch as his shot cannoned off the post and back into play.

As the game drew towards a close Plymouth Marjon found time to add two more goals as George Warren tucked a penalty into the bottom left corner before Connor Trewin caught the home keeper in possession of the ball before rounding him and finishing into an empty net.

Plymouth Marjon will be a tough team to beat this season with their quick attacking football and they are already show they are capable of scoring goals this season, as for Bere Alston United, their attacking football will cause problems for several teams and they were unlucky not to score on the night.

Bere Alston United team: Michael Moore, Ryan Moorhead, Tom Martin, Robbie Court, Josh Monk, Ryan Brimacombe, Callum Massey, Ben Clarke, Jak Plummer, Harry Eaton, Jordan Williams

Subs: Connor Johnson, Darren Phillips, Liam Wheeler, Soul Pengelley, Theo Standing

Plymouth Marjon team: Dom Richards, James Bridges, Tom Wakeham, Mitch Hosking, Luke Suttcliffe, George Warren, Lewis Jago, Adam Smietanka, Liam Donovan, Jake Anderson, Harvey Tomlinson

Subs: Ben Jenkins, Lee Coxon, Ryan Dawe, Connor Trewin, Liam Tylor

ipplepen v budleigh devon premier cup 2023-24

2023/24 Season Review

Report ©Tom Besford. Photo from Ipplepen’s County Cup game against Budleigh Salterton ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR

Following the end of the 2022/2023 season it was decided that the two divisions of the A&S Interiors Devon Football League would merge to make a stronger county wide division. This meant the league would reduce from the twenty two teams that finished last season to a maximum of eighteen clubs for the new campaign.

Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police won promotion to the South West Peninsula League whilst complications with their ground lease meant that Windmill FC were forced to leave the league. The following clubs resigned from the league due to the extra travelling distances which would be required following the merger of the divisions: Paignton Saints, Newton Abbot Spurs Res, Buckland Athletic Res and Fremington.

Plymouth Marjon and Elmore would join the league prior to the 2023/2024 season following relegation from the South West Peninsula League Premier Division East.

AUGUST:

The new season began on Tuesday the 8th of August with a few local derbies. New side to the division Plymouth Marjon drew 1-1 at Mount Gould whilst Feniton and Topsham Town also drew 1-1; little would many people realise this would be the only point Feniton would pick up until December. Plymstock United and Appledore also started the season with wins on the opening day.

Appledore completed the month of August unbeaten and top of the league, although University of Exeter were yet to kick off their campaign. With four wins and a defeat, Beer Albion would finish the month in second place.

It would be a month without registering a single victory for Feniton and Bere Alston United who only remained off bottom of the table due to University having not played a game. The result of the month came at Ipplepen Athletic as they became the first team to take any points off Mount Gould in over twelve months. Joshua Haynes scored twice as Ipplepen won the fixture 2-1.

SEPTEMBER:

Although they started a month after everyone else, University of Exeter found themselves top of the division at the end of September with six wins out of six, and they even found time to play a fixture in the Devon Premier Cup.

Fellow University side Plymouth Marjon were finding life in their new surroundings difficult as they finished the month in thirteenth spot with two wins, four draws and one defeat; Marjon would go on to become the draw specialists in the division.

Newtown enjoyed an 8-1 victory over North Molton whilst Lakeside Athletic also scored eight on the same day as they beat Thorverton 8-2. The heavy score lines continued into the Devon Premier Cup as Topsham Town were knocked out of the cup 7-1 at lower league side Ilsington Villa and Ipplepen Athletic beat Plymouth Hope 17-0 with Joshua Haynes scoring four and Billy Courtier bagging a hat-trick. Appledore enjoyed a weekend without a fixture as their opponents Brixham AFC Reserves were unable to raise a side.

Elmore had a mixed start during their opening two months in the league as they won four, drew three and lost three of their opening ten games. Thorverton were flying and found themselves ending the month in fifth whilst Plymstock United were also enjoying a positive start to the season and occupied seventh spot.

OCTOBER:

The season was in full swing now and gaps were starting to form with Feniton and Ipplepen Athletic finding themselves adrift at the bottom. League newcomers Elmore were sitting comfortably in second whilst Appledore had slipped to fifth.

It was a slow start to the season for Newtown, the club sitting in thirteenth position with just twelve points from eleven games.

October was a wet month with just twenty eight fixtures played throughout the month, although clubs managed to once again play another round of the Devon Premier Cup. The County cup provided more shocks as Appledore crashed out against South Devon League side Kingsteignton Athletic and Plymouth Marjon lost 3-2 at home against Boca Seniors.

NOVEMBER:

Come the end of November the league table was incredibly close as everyone seemed to be able to beat each other. Just eleven points separated the top fifteen in the league with the top eight all separated by just one win. Feniton were still struggling to get their first win of the campaign whilst Thorverton were going strong, just two points from top of the table.

Lakeside Athletic were also enjoying life in the new single division; with just three defeats in their opening fourteen games, the Plymouth based side were only three points from top of the league with games in hand over several teams above them.

The wet weather continued and this time only eighteen league games were played, we were beginning to struggle against the elements.

DECEMBER:

University of Exeter sat top of the tree at Christmas time but Appledore were hot on their heels with just two points between the top two. Budleigh Salterton had climbed into sixth spot and at the bottom Feniton had picked up some more points with a 2-2 draw against Newtown and a 1-1 draw at Plymouth Marjon.

The University beat Ipplepen Athletic 8-0 whilst Beer Albion won 8-2 at Plymstock United in a month full of goals. Plymstock United were starting to slide down the table and Thorverton were slowly falling with them. Ottery St Mary had played the most games come the turn of the year but with only five wins they found themselves down in twelfth spot.

JANUARY:

This is the month where eighteen became seventeen as we started the new year with the resignation of Mount Gould from the league. Just months after they had won every league game on route to the South & West Division title, the club were no longer in the Devon Football League!

Ipplepen Athletic were affected by the withdrawal of Mount Gould having lost six points from the table but with Feniton still looking for their first win, the now only relegation spot still seemed a distance away.

Elmore were on a run of eight league games without a win and this poor form had seen the club drop dramatically down the table, now occupying thirteenth spot.

FEBRUARY:

Newtown had climbed up to fifth and the league table had began to spread out a bit more now with teams no longer all clustered together. University of Exeter had a fifteen point lead over nearest rivals Appledore whilst at the bottom of the table, Feniton had secured their first win of the season. The win came in dramatic style as they beat Plymstock United 6-1 at home.

Just sixteen games beat the weather as the rain never seemed to end. Bere Alston United fell to a heavy 9-1 defeat at University whilst Beer Albion knocked the league leaders out of the Devon Premier Cup 3-2.

MARCH:

Lakeside Athletic had fallen a long way down the table as they now found themselves in thirteenth; a poor run of results and waterlogged pitches saw them in a poor state of form including conceding 40 goals in a spell of seven games.

Ipplepen Athletic lost heavily at Park United in the county cup as teams started playing catch up from the poor weather we have endured throughout the season.

APRIL & MAY:

Never before did I think we would see waterlogged pitches into the final months of the season but the rain was relentless and had no plans in stopping. Teams did manage to get the season completed although it was a lot later than originally planned.

Just like it had looked all season, University of Exeter were crowned champions and celebrated with an 8-0 demolition of Ottery St Mary before lifting the trophy. Appledore were given runners-up before being deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture. The North Devon side beat Bere Alston United in their final match to secure second place once again.

The Thirst Fitness League Cup had a scare in the semi-finals when the air ambulance was called but the match was able to finish with Beer Albion progressing to the final where they took on North Molton SC following their dramatic late winner to come from behind against Newtown. In the final it was Beer Albion who managed to regain the trophy following two quick goals at the beginning of the second half to win the match 2-0.

It was double success at the end of the season for Beer who went on to lift the Devon Premier Cup after beating North Devon Premier League side Park United 3-1 in the final.

It was a tough season which looked like it would never end due to the constant rain but we finally got there and now the wait for the new season begins!

ipplepen athletic v budleigh devon premier cup 2023-24

Match Report: Ipplepen Athletic 1 – 6 Plymstock United

Match report ©Tom Besford. Photo from Ipplepen’s County Cup game against Budleigh Salterton earlier in the season ©Al Macphee/MiraclePR

An end of season fixture between two clubs at the bottom of the table had the makings of a poor game, but the fans in attendance would’ve been shocked by the one-sided outcome which occurred.

Plymstock United came into this game just one point and one place above their hosts in the league table but it wasn’t long until the visitors were in front with just over two minutes played. Jordan Hogan managed to beat the defender and cooly finish from close range, the dream start for his side.

The dream start only got better and just four minutes later Plymstock had doubled the lead with a scrappy goal. Jake Howson flicked the ball past the home keeper Toby Benett before casually rolling it into the bottom corner. Two soft goals in the first couple of minutes and the hosts suddenly had a mountain to climb.

The hosts slowly got back into the game and started to create a few chances of their own, Toby Pullman hit a first time shot which was spilt by visiting keeper Liam Hooks but the keeper reacted quickest to gather the ball at the second attempt. Pullman was the biggest threat for the home side and he came close again shortly after, this time firing a shot wide from the edge of the box.

With just under half an hour played and albeit the hosts trying their best to get back into the game, Plymstock added a third and with it virtually guaranteeing the three points. Mike Burke hit an outstanding first time volley over Benett and into the back of the net.

Cayleb Needham struggled to get a corner into the box at the end of the first half as the ball was cleared by the first man but it came straight back to him for a second attempt, this time finding the head of Mark Louden who could only head wide of the target.

Callum Nightingale dragged a shot just wide of the target for the hosts who searched for a route back into the game before the visitors came close again down the other end as Kian Berry lobbed the keeper but could only watch as the ball went wide.

Ipplepen had a lot to do in the second half to get back into the game and they came out fighting like a completely different side. Drew Cove fired a shot straight at the visiting keeper at the beginning of the second half before half time substitute Zak Carnell hit a volley from the edge of the box which bounced off the crossbar.

The strong start to the second half by the home team only lasted a couple of minutes and as the game hit the fiftieth minute Plymstock added a fourth. Drew Cove was caught taking too much time with the ball on the edge of the six yard box by Kian Berry who fired into the bottom corner from close range.

Cayleb Needham almost added a fifth as he sent a curling effort from distance over the bar before a first time shot by sub Charlie Mahoney was saved comfortably by Benett down to his right hand side.

With slightly over twenty minutes to go Berry found the back of the net once again, this time hitting a low shot from distance which went straight through the legs of home custodian Benett much to his frustration.

The game had turned into a very one sided match with an unexpected score line but the hosts were determined to prevent their visitors from getting a clean sheet and with five minutes remaining the consolation goal was scored. A ball from the left found Toby Pullman who calmly finished into the bottom corner.

It would be Plymstock who had the final say though as less than a minute from the restart they restored their five goal lead as Berry completed his hat-trick, firing into the bottom corner from distance.

Plymstock remain in fourteenth spot but open up a four point gap on their hosts Ipplepen who had an evening to forget. An entertaining match with plenty of goals for the neutral.

Ipplepen Athletic team: Toby Benett, Josh Hurren, Callum Nightingale, Lee Fenner, George Clark, Drew Cove, Tyler Joint, Nick Edmunds, Billy Courtier, Toby Pullman, Josh Haynes

Subs: Zak Carnell, Mason Joint, Jack Palmer, Chris Currie, Kieren Savage

Plymstock United team: Liam Hooks, Shane Hawes, Freddie Chapman, Mike Burke, Sam Romang, Jordan Hogan, Jake Hawson, Mark Louden, Lewis Dickson, Kian Berry, Cayleb Needham

Subs: Carson Wheeler, Charlie Mahoney, Chris Harvey, Jayden Preece, Sam Dovey

Match Report: Beer Albion 3 – 2 Newtown

Match report ©Tom Besford

On a wet and horrible Saturday afternoon, Newtown made the trip to Beer Albion in what would be an even battle between two mid-table sides.

The away side found themselves behind within the first couple of minutes but levelled before the break. An early goal in the second half from the hosts and a third soon after secured the three points would remain in Beer, but Newtown scored a penalty to push the home side right till the death.

If you turned up late to this match, you will have missed the first goal as the game was just three minutes old when Beer Albion took the lead. The Fishermen tested their visitors from kick off, and Tony Pinder found the back of the net from the edge of the box to break the deadlock. The home side continued to come forward as they dominated the opening exchanges and with the game less than ten minutes old, could have doubled the lead when good interchanging play down the right wing ended with Aaron Daniels putting the ball over the bar.

The visitors started getting back into the game and created a few chances going forward, but their best chance to get back into the game came after twenty two minutes. After playing the ball down the right hand side, Cory O’Donoghue burst into the box and struck low against the post, the ball came back out to Ryan Gilpin, but he couldn’t keep his effort down and the ball went over the top of the crossbar for a goal kick.

Newtown continued to look for a way back into the game as the half passed the thirty minute mark. Joe Mackensey pulled the ball back from the right wing for Josh Gresham who put his effort wide of the far post. The away team didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser though, and on their next attack they were level. After Charlie Ledger, in the Beer goal, and one of his defenders failed to get the ball clear, Billy Turl was left with an easy finish into the net for 1-1.

Gilpin sent a curling effort just over the bar, from the edge of the box, as he looked to put Newtown in front, but the scores remained level going into the half time interval. An even first half with the majority of it played in heavy rain.

It didn’t take the Fishermen long in the second half to retake the lead as they found themselves in front after three minutes of play, just like in the first half. A corner was crossed into the box and found the head of Finley Rooke who guided a head past the visiting ‘keeper.

The next goal would be crucial and it was Beer who scored it to add to their lead as the second half neared the twenty minute mark. Matt Berry beat the offside trap and was played through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. Newtown custodian Laurie Martin saved the original shot but could do nothing as the rebound fell back to Berry who finished into the empty net.

Newtown continued to push for a way back into the game, but as the pitch got heavier in all the rain, the chances came fewer and further apart, and with ten minutes remaining, the game looked like it could have been in doubt. The match referee became increasingly worried about a puddle of standing water on the pitch that had grown and so a pause in play was required to fetch some brushes and try to clear the puddle.

When the game eventually restarted, it was the visitors who reacted the quickest and they were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go as the Beer Albion defender slipped and handled the ball in the area. O’Donoghue calmly finished down the middle to make a tense end to the game.

An entertaining and even game came to an end after almost ten minutes of time added on, and for the first time in almost three hours, the players and officials could go and dry off!

Beer Albion team: Charlie Ledger, Matt Berry, Liam Cox, George Harwood, George Richards, Finley Rooke, Josh Lund, Charley Skilton, Josh French, Tony Pinder, Aaron Daniels

Subs: Joe Adkin, Harry Lawrence, Barnaby Down, James Melville, Jack Prior

Newtown team: Laurie Martin, Joe Mackensey, Evan Murry, Ryan Gilpin, Jack Gill, James Ansell, Cory O’Donoghue, Dan Gill, Josh Gresham, Billy Turl, Joel Greenslade

Subs: Ant Bowen, Theo Herbert, Ben Howard, Josh Daines

Do you want to see your club’s match report on the DFL website? Send it to tom.besford@uwclub.net and we will post it (posts may be edited for grammar and style)

Match Report: Beer Albion 3 – 1 Thorverton

After going down to a shock 2- 1 defeat at the hands of Ottery St Mary 1sts in midweek, Beer Albion bounced back with a convincing 3-1 home victory against Thorverton last Saturday.  In front of 110 supporters, the Fishermen served up a feast of high-intensity, attacking football writes Richard Honnor.

But it was Thorverton, who made the early running, testing Beer’s defence with some brisk direct football. Within the first 6 minutes, ‘keeper Charlie Ledger was called into action twice, first when he saved a well-struck 18-yard shot from their talented number 11, Josh Hole, who had cut through the Beer defence. Then Ledger made a fine save at full stretch, tipping a teasing 15-yard overhead kick over the bar after Beer had only partially cleared a corner kick. 

Gradually, Beer’s midfield trio of Jake Rowe, Finley Rooke and Charley Skilton began to take charge and with Cody Bowditch playing in a more advanced left side midfield role they began to create good chances. On 14 minutes, right wing back Joe Adkin narrowly missed the target from 15 yards after Skilton and Bowditch combined well on the left to create the opportunity. One minute later, Rowe and Brook Wilkins swept down the right wing to present Josh French with a difficult near post opportunity which went wide.

Forward players French and Wilkins were proving a handful, and although the playing squad was weakened by unavailability, the starting line-up selected by manager Mark Rooke blended really well as a team.

After sustained pressure, the Fishermen went ahead on 21 minutes with a well-worked free kick.  Rowe was brought down outside the penalty box after an incisive run. With the visitors’ defence expecting a shot on goal, Bowditch cleverly “dinked” the ball wide to Finley Rooke who cut inside the defender and his low strike was deflected past the Thors keeper at the near post.

Beer continued to pile on the  pressure with Wilkins and Rooke going close, and then French “scored” with a powerful strike but was ruled offside. Thorverton’s ‘keeper made a couple of good saves, but he could do little about Beer’s second goal on 42 minutes. Again, Bowditch provided the assist, getting behind the visitors’ defence down the left and squaring across the goal into the path of Skilton who scored from 10 yards out.

After the break, Beer continued in the same vein with Wilkins and then Rowe foiled by fine saves by the visitors’ ‘keeper early on.

Wilkins, in particular, was finding space and making good runs down the right, and it was he who put Beer 3-0 ahead with a spectacular goal on 54 minutes. Squeezing between two defenders, Wilkins was first to reach a through pass from Bowditch, and then he expertly chipped the ‘keeper, who was off his line, from 25 yards out.

Beer continued to dominate the contest but, throughout the game, Thorverton’s forward line always looked dangerous going forward. They were duly rewarded with a consolation in the 80th minute, an unstoppable free kick from wide left, 25 yards out, scored by Hole who was their outstanding player on the day.

This was essentially a fine team performance from the Fishermen with centre back George Richards in dominating form at the back, but on behalf of match sponsors, the Chapple family-Beer Beach, Brooklyn Wilkins got the man-of-the-match award for his attacking forays and excellent goal.

Next up, Beer are in action on Wednesday away at Budleigh Salterton, and then they travel to Elmore next Saturday.

Do you want to see your club’s match report on the DFL website? Send it to tom.besford@uwclub.net and we will post it (posts may be edited for grammar and style)

feniton v topsham town devon football league

Points Shared at Feniton as New Season Gets Underway

Match report & photo ©Tom Besford

Feniton came from behind against Topsham Town to secure an opening day point as the new season begins in a one division format.

Scott Chambers opened the scoring for the visitors early in the second half before Ashley Small equalised mid-way through the half. Both teams dug deep looking for a winner, but it never came, even after Topsham Town were reduced to ten men following an off the ball incident.

Both teams started the match quickly as the game was end to end but neither goalkeeper was really tested in the opening exchanges as the two sets of defenders cancelled each other out. The first real chance of note came after nine minutes when Tariq Gasmi dragged his shot just wide of the goal. This was followed a couple of minutes later by another chance as a quick break down the right wing ended with the ball finding Louis Hoyle who somehow put the ball over the bar from close range.

With twenty minutes on the clock controversy struck as the Topsham Town players thought they had broken the deadlock, only for the linesman to say the ball never crossed the line. Nathan May believed he had scored from close range but couldn’t celebrate as the ball was hooked away to safety with the match officials claiming the whole ball hadn’t crossed the line and the Topsham defence were called into action down the other end of the pitch.

Tariq Gasmi for Feniton and Nathan May for Topsham looked the most likely players to break the deadlock in the first half as they both created chances, but neither player could really test the opposing keeper. Gasmi fired a few shots over the bar from distance and May dragged a few shots wide of the target as the two strikers looked to open their accounts for the new season. The teams went into the break goalless after an even first half.

Supporters didn’t have to wait long after the break for the first goal of the game as the visitors took the lead two minutes into the half. The ball found its way to Scott Chambers on the edge of the box who managed to get a shot away and fired into the bottom corner. This brought the game to life and Feniton almost equalised immediately as several bodies in the box got in the way as the ball bounced around before finding its way to Sam Gleeson on the edge of the box who shot just wide.

The match continued to go from end to end with both teams creating chances, first Bradley Philips shot from distance and won Topsham a corner as the ball deflected just wide before Reece Jordan flicked a chance just wide for Feniton.

As the second half reached the midway point Feniton found the equaliser as Ashley Small, who had started on the subs bench, made an impact since stepping onto the pitch. Reece Jordan had produced a fantastic run down the right wing before putting a low cross into the box. Small met the delivery at the near post and finished from close range to level the score.

Feniton had a great chance to win the match late in the game when a free kick delivered into the box found a striker who attempted an overhead kick but as his shot was blocked the ball fell kindly to Reece Jordan who smashed the rebound over the top.

Topsham were reduced to ten men in injury time as Ant Gaynor was shown a straight red following an off the ball incident but there wasn’t enough time for the hosts to take advantage of the extra man as the teams had to settle for a point apiece in an entertaining season opener.

Feniton team: Leon Woodhead, Fin Jeffrey, Sam Gleeson, Thomas Badcott, Lewis Masters, Sam Brook, Reece Jordan, Jake Sellick, Tariq Gasmi, Ben Turner, Lewis Hoyle

Subs: Stuart Blackmore, Matthew Kingdom, Alex Montgomery, Ashley Small

Topsham Town: Owen Vosper, Mitch Ward, Bradley Phillips, Fred Kingdom, James Skinner, Ashley Matthews, Scott Chambers, Bradley Butterfield, Tom Price, Nathan May, Marcus Howe

Subs: Connor Saunders, Ryan Saunders, Sam Clarke, Ben Lyne, Ant Gaynor