Tag: beer albion

thirst fitness dfl cup final 2024 beer albion v north molton

List of Pre-season Friendlies: Enjoy Some Summer Football

PRODUCTIVE SEASON: Beer Albion proved to be the team to beat in the cup competitions – in fact, nobody could manage it! Albion also finished a respectable third in the league. ©Danni Hide Photography

Have the Euros inspired you to take in some pre-season football around Devon? Or are you interested in seeing who might be turning out for your team – or your rivals – in 24/25? We will be updating the list below as clubs confirm their pre-season games to us, so make sure you keep coming back!

Here are the confirmed pre-season fixtures so far (as of 24th June).

Please note that these fixtures are subject to change. Please check with the clubs before travelling.

Click the table headers to sort by column and find your team more easily!

*DFL teams are in bold type

thirst fitness devon football league cup final 2024 beer albion v north molton

Thirst Fitness Devon League Cup Final: Beer Albion 2 – 0 North Molton SC

Match report by Tom Besford. Photo ©Danni Hide Photography

The cup final is always the highlight of the season and after what had been a long and wet season, this showpiece didn’t let us down with a brilliantly contested final once again. Beer Albion came into this season’s final as the holders of the cup after lifting the silverware twelve months prior and they would go on to reclaim the trophy following two goals at the beginning of the second half.

It had been a long week for both clubs leading up to this match following dramatic semi-finals during the week. For Beer Albion, their semi-final on the Tuesday had a lengthy delay whilst we had to wait for the Devon Air Ambulance meaning a late night was had by all. For North Molton SC on the Wednesday, they had to come from two goals behind on two occasions before a late winner secured their spot in the final.

Beer Albion had the better of the early chances in this match and after just a couple of minutes, a quick counter attack ended with the ball reaching Brooklyn Wilkins who raced into the box and could only watch as his shot was blocked and deflected over.

Jacob Rowe was next to test the North Molton SC goalkeeper as he tried his luck from distance but Adam Chamberlain was equal to the effort to tip over the bar. Down the other end of the pitch and it was North Molton this time trying their luck from distance as Callum Hutchings saw his effort blocked and out for a corner.

James Giffard came close for North Molton from the edge of the box as he fired narrowly over before Beer had a golden opportunity to open the scoring as a Giles Basson shot from the corner of the box was saved well down low by Chamberlain.

The first half ended goalless with neither team really able to break down their opponents. With both league matches between these two sides ending in draws this season, it felt like this could be a case of déjà vu.

Beer Albion came out the second half hungry to get in front and they were rewarded after just three minutes of the second half as Aaron Daniels crossed the ball from the right and found Taylor Rooke at the far post who slid the ball into the back of the net. North Molton SC had to find a way back into this match but things went from bad to worse for them as just two minutes later the lead was doubled as Beer had one hand on the trophy. Giles Basson received the ball on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner.

North Molton suddenly had a hard job in front of them to get back into this game and it was made even harder following the second goal as goalkeeper Adam Chamberlain went off injured meaning they had to play the remainder of the match with defender Josh Phillips in goal.

Matt Berry saw his effort tipped over the bar from the edge of the box as Beer went in search for a third goal and the East Devon side tried to take advantage of the lack of a goalkeeper for North Molton as they continued to put the pressure on the Stags defence.

Liam Cox found himself released one on one with the rookie goalkeeper and decided to try and beat him down low but Phillips had other ideas as he saved well with his feet to keep his side in with a slim chance of getting back into the game.

The early goals at the beginning of the second half and the injury to the goalkeeper virtually ended this match as a competition and the only chance North Molton had of troubling the score in the second half came with just minutes left on the clock, Sam Phillips managed to turn on the edge of the box and fired wide of the target.

Another cup victory for Beer Albion who are enjoying life in the Devon Football League and pick up their third piece of silverware in two seasons.

Beer Albion team: Elliot Driver, Matt Berry, Charlie Ledger, George Richards, Tony Pinder, Jacob Rowe, Aaron Daniels, Brooklyn Wilkins, Taylor Rooke, Giles Basson.

Subs: Joe Adkin, Cody Bowditch, Charley Skilton, Liam Cox, Josh French

North Molton SC team: Adam Chamberlain, Jack Moses, Josh Phillips, George Folland, Ian Cockwill, Adam Jerrett, Callum Hutchings, Josh Wren, Will Tucker, James Giffard, Joshua Stoneman

Subs: Michael Hatcher, Joe Southcott, Harry Knill, Sam Phillips, Daniel Anjos

devon football league cup

Introducing Thirst Fitness: Our New League Cup Sponsors

The Devon Football League are honoured to announce Thirst Fitness as our new League Cup sponsors for the 2023/2024 season. 

Thirst Fitness have been delivering tailored health and fitness services to the people of Plymouth and surrounding areas for the past eight years. The professional services provided by the company, which include Personal Training, Boot Camps and Sports Therapy, are designed to cater to individuals at every level, from novice to professional athletes. With a strong community ethos at the forefront, Thirst Fitness take pride in their ability to offer something to everyone, helping every team/individual to ‘unlock their potential’ and create a clearer vision for the future. 

For any team or sports club interested in experiencing their fitness services on a mobile basis, get in touch today by emailing admin@thirstfitness.co.uk or follow on Facebook or Instagram. 

Website – www.thirstfitness.co.uk

Facebook – @ThirstFitness

Instagram – @thirstfitness or @Bootcampsplymouth

We look forward to this season’s competition kicking off and hopefully witnessing some entertaining football. The draw for the first two rounds have already been made and can be seen by clicking here.

The current holders of the League Cup are Beer Albion who came from behind in last years thrilling final to beat Mount Gould, a match report from that game can be found by clicking here.

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)

devon football league cup

Beer Albion Comeback Stuns Mount Gould in Six Goal Thriller

Match report & photo by Tom Besford

Beer Albion came from behind to win the Scott Richards Solicitors League Cup final against a Mount Gould side who had remained unbeaten after winning every match they have played this season. The final was ninety minutes full of drama with six goals, two red cards and a match which will live long in the memory of the supporters in attendance.

Having raced into a two goal lead against ten men, Mount Gould looked favourites to win the cup but a spirited comeback, following a Chris Wright red card to level the numbers, saw Beer Albion secure the double in front of their large travelling support to cap off a successful first season at step seven.

Champions of the South & West Division, Mount Gould, were looking to add to their so far perfect season but North and East Division champions, Beer Albion, knew the challenge they had ahead. Barnstaple Town proved to be the perfect hosts as an enjoyable day was had by the large attendance and the match was a true advert for non-league football.

The game started lively and both sides had early chances as the match swung from end to end. After just two minutes on the clock Chris Wright headed wide from a corner and just a few minutes later Beer had their opening chance of the match as Taylor Rooke was played through on goal only to see his effort well saved by the feet of Mount Gould stopper Jensen Manning. The opening twenty minutes of the match saw both sides create several chances but they all lacked that final bit of quality as neither keeper was really called upon.

It took twenty minutes until the game sprung to life as Beer Albion were reduced to ten men following a defender being sent to the sin bin. This left the East Devon outfit with a set piece to defend from the edge of the box with a man light and they were duly punished as Chris Wright curled his effort into the top corner and out of the reach of Beer keeper Elliot Driver.

Things soon went from bad to worse for the Albion as straight from kick off they had a strong penalty shout waved away and as the ball was cleared Tony Pinder came flying in and mistimed a tackle in the middle of the park resulting in a red card. Suddenly Beer were down to nine men and they were instantly punished as a ball played out to the left wing was crossed back into the middle and Danny Brook finished into the far bottom corner for 2-0. Two goals down and two men light, Beer had an uphill battle ahead of them and it looked like the game was over already.

Although it looked unlikely that a comeback would be on the cards Beer Albion continued to press and when they had ten men on the pitch they created several chances as Ashley Driver headed just wide from a free kick and shortly after Josh French shot wide from distance. As the club pushed forward looking for a way back into the match they were leaving gaps at the back and this was almost punished as Bailey Mabin curled an effort just over the bar from the edge of the box.

The match continued to be played at a high tempo and from end to end and the number of players on the pitch was levelled just before the break as Chris Wright was sent off for Mount Gould. After a bit of handbags on the pitch, Wright grabbed one of the Beer Albion midfielders by the hair and this was spotted by the fourth official who reported the sighting to the referee leaving him with no choice but to give Wright his marching orders.

Going into the second half with Mount Gould leading by two goals and both sides down to ten men, everyone knew that the next goal would be crucial and it looked like it would be the Plymouth based side who would add to their already commanding lead. Within the first five minutes of the half Mabin and Owen Pritchard both saw their efforts blocked and just a few minutes later Matthew David saw his header from a corner cleared off the line by Will House in the Beer defence. The club launched attack after attack as they looked for a third but it wouldn’t come as Jamie Grinrod saw a headed effort tipped over the bar by Driver before the Albion stopper pulled off another great save from the resulting corner.

The third goal of the match eventually came on the hour mark and it was Beer Albion who scored it as they looked to launch a surprising comeback against a side who hadn’t experienced anything but victory for the last twelve months. Brooklyn Wilkins broke free on the right hand side and as he broke into the box his shot across goal was converted into the back of the net, with the help of the crossbar, by Finley Rooke who slid in at the far post as the original shot was heading wide.

Could this be game on or was it going to be too little too late?

Only seven minutes had passed and Beer Albion shocked everyone in the ground by grabbing an equaliser as Taylor Rooke, who had caused the Mount Gould defence problems all day, beat the last defender before taking the ball around Manning in goal and finishing into an empty net to the delight of the Beer faithful.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock the turnaround was complete as Beer took the lead for the first time in the match thanks to substitute Giles Basson who managed to beat the Mount Gould keeper and the East Devon side added the icing to the cake by scoring a fourth with just a few minutes remaining. With Mount Gould desperately looking for an equaliser, Beer Albion managed to make the most of the gaps at the back and Taylor Rooke finished from close range following a squared pass from the right hand side.

A league and cup double for Beer Albion in their first ever season at step seven and a first defeat inflicted on Mount Gould in twelve months. As for Mount Gould, they can still claim the double when they face Newtown in the Devon Premier Cup final next month. A thrilling match full of drama and entertainment and played out in front of a brilliant attendance, it was a final that will live long in the memory of those who saw it!

mount gould fc

Mount Gould Maintain Perfect Season With League Cup Semi-Final Victory

Report ©Tom Besford

It will be a Mount Gould v Beer Albion final at Barnstaple Town next month in the Devon League Cup final as the Plymouth based club knocked out North Devon outfit North Molton in the semi-finals. The club, who have won every match they have played so far this season, were made to work hard for a place in the final, as a stubborn North Molton side battled hard in a real game of two halves on Wednesday evening.


A cold and wet evening at the Rec in Newton Abbot was the venue for the second semi-final in this season’s competition and the two sides knew that a place in the final against Beer Albion was up for grabs. Mount Gould came out the blocks quicker than their opponents, but the Stags defence held on before scoring a crucial equaliser in the second half. With it looking like the game would go to extra time, Gould struck late to the heartbreak of the North Devon club.


The first half wasn’t the most spectacular of matches with both sides creating few chances far and few between, but Owen Pritchard from Mount Gould started to cause a few issues amongst the North Molton back line with his bursts of pace. Shooting just wide after twelve minutes, Pritchard didn’t have to wait long to find the back of the net as just seven minutes later he was played through on goal. Escaping the offside trap with his quick burst of speed, the Mount Gould striker only had the keeper to beat and although he got his feet to it, Will Davis the North Molton keeper, could only watch as the ball was calmly slotted past him into the back of the net.


It was a first half of not much action to note and the uneventful half came to a close with the best North Molton chance of the match so far. The ball found its way to Oliver Stevens who hit a volley just wide of the target.


Whatever was said in the changing rooms at the break seemed to do the trick as the Stags came out a completely different side and they took the game to their opponents, barely letting Mount Gould cross the halfway line. The pressure from the North Devon club soon paid off and just under quarter of an hour into the half, the equaliser was scored. The Gould defence couldn’t get rid of the ball which landed at the feet of Will Tucker who hit hard and low into the bottom corner of the net.


The match had sprung to life and the tie could’ve gone either way, but it looked more likely that North Molton would add a second to their tally. Just a couple of minutes had lapsed from the equaliser when Joshua Stoneman headed goal bound from a corner, but Jenson Manning in goal for Mount Gould saved comfortably.


Mount Gould soon found themselves reduced to ten men following a sin bin, but the player disadvantage didn’t seem to bother the club and whilst a man light they almost found the back of the net on two occasions. Firstly, a shot from distance following a failed North Molton clearance before a goal mouth scramble which saw the ball somehow not cross the line.
As the sin bin period came to an end the Plymouth based club managed to take the lead with what turned out to be the winning goal following a free kick on the edge of the box. Chris Wright fired into the bottom left corner to the delight of his teammates with what turned out to be the goal that would put his side into the cup final.


There was still time for one more bit of drama in injury time at the end of the match as Mount Gould were once again reduced to ten men, this time following a straight red card. As North Molton looked to launch an attack down the right wing, Dane Hewings came flying across and took out the Stags player leaving the referee with no choice but to pull out the red card.
A real game of two halves and a spectacular season for Mount Gould who continue their 100% record in all competitions. Beer Albion awaits in the final at Barnstaple Town in just a few weeks in what should be a thrilling game.