Beer and Lyme slug out seven-goal thriller

It was a thrilling local Derby and, after going 3-0 down, the Fishermen made a spirited recovery to level the scores at 3-3, only for the Seasiders to snatch victory in the latter stages of the game.

The Fishermen had not played since 11th December and it certainly showed as they made a really sluggish start conceding three goals within the first 30 minutes.

After only three minutes, Beer found themselves 1-0 down when after an incisive move down the left. Ben Turner, unchallenged, made a driving run and unleashed a well-placed left footer from 18 yards low into the corner of the net.

Six minutes later, Beer could only partially clear the danger and a shot from the edge of the penalty was deflected home by Tyler Wellman from close range.

There seemed no way back for Beer when Joe Bond headed home a well-delivered corner on 21 minutes but the Fishermen reduced the arrears to 3-1 on 23 minutes when Josh French flicked a near post corner into the path of centre back Joe Adkin, who side-footed home.

Soon after the interval, Elliot Driver kept his side in the game with two great saves, and this encouraged the Fishermen to drive forward in an effort to save the game. Beer scored their second goal on 61 minutes when the Lyme Keeper, under pressure, palmed an inswinging Kieron Daniels corner into his own goal. Beer equalised from a coolly taken Charley Skilton penalty on 67 minutes.

But the Fishermen’s brave attempt to salvage the game was shattered on 69 minutes when, after poor marking, a free kick from the left was steered in by the unmarked Bailey from an acute angle at the far post.

In Division 2, league leaders Beer Albion Reserves went down 6-3 at third-placed Teignbridge Reserves. Beer’s scorers were Josh Lund, Simon Smith and Tom Perry. Midfielder Jacob Clode and Centre back Jack Harwood stood out for the Fishermen.

Beer Albion flying high (Image: Beer Albion)