Reigning Devon Football League North and East champions Beer Albion kicked off their 2023/24 season in the newly combined 18-team DFL with a hard-earned 2-0  home win against Plymstock United, writes Richard Honnor. 

In an eventful opening, last-ditch defending prevented Beer scoring with their very first attack and then Jacob Rowe then went close with a 20 yarder. But Plymstock missed a golden opportunity on seven minutes to go in front when their centre forward, unmarked, headed a right-wing cross straight at Elliott Driver from 8 yards out.

Beer were again denied by fine defending on 17 minutes when the visitors outstanding centre back got a toe to a drilled-in free kick from Cody Bowditch to deny Beer striker George Richards.

The Fishermen’s opening goal came on 22 minutes when Taylor Rooke headed a long clearance on to Richards who in turn found Jacob Rowe running into the box. The Plymstock ‘keeper saved Rowe’s shot well but Taylor Rooke volleyed home the rebound from 12 yards.

After half time, the game began to drift and manager Mark Rooke injected more urgency into Beer’s play with some positional changes and astute substitutions from a strong bench.

Despite the game being played in a good spirit, tempers momentarily flared on 75 minutes after Finley Rooke was fouled and then hauled down again after the resulting free kick was taken quickly. The offending Plymstock midfielder received his marching orders from referee Mills after appearing to head-butt Rooke as the midfielder got to his feet.

It was one-way traffic now and the Fishermen eventually secured a 2-0 lead through the industrious Charley Skilton on 80 minutes. Taylor Rooke went past a defender down the left and picked out Skilton who finish clinically from 13 yards.

In the South-West Peninsula League, it was a tale of two penalties for Honiton Town in their 1-1 draw at Cullompton. Hippos’ goalkeeper Luke Ashford was dismissed for a challenge that led to the Cully penalty but Honiton earned a battling point when Lewis Couch levelled on 80 minutes, also from the spot.

Jake Quick scored twice and there were further goals from Charlie Wilson and Richard Hebditch, as Axminster Town recorded an impressive 4-1 victory at Dartmouth.

Picture from Andrew Symonds