Millwey Rise became the first team to defeat Elmore Reserves when they won the midweek Macron League Division Five meeting at Horsdon Park, Tiverton, writes Dick Sturch.

Burke strikes as Millwey Rise become first team to defeat Elmore in Macron League this season

Millwey Rise became the first team to defeat Elmore Reserves when they won the midweek Macron League Division Five meeting at Horsdon Park, Tiverton, writes Dick Sturch.

For the spectators this game certainly provided a lot of nail biting moments, but in the end Millwey deserved their win for the tenacity they displayed. From the kick-off it was Elmore who came out strong and a header in the opening minutes flashed past the visitors upright.

Then defender Ashley Hall suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Matt Lewis who was soon in the thick of things when his last ditch tackle denied Elmore the opportunity to open the scoring.

Millwey were making the occasional forays into the home side’s half with Womersley chasing every opportunity that presented itself.

Elmore missed their best opportunity of the game when a forward put the ball over the bar when it would have been easier to score.

Shane Featherstone then came close for ‘Rise’ when he latched onto a Womersley cross.

This was the start of some sustained pressure by the visitors which eventually saw them into the lead.

A corner taken by Brad Lee Miller found the head of the industrious Sam Burke who glanced it into the net. The final act of the first half was a save by Jack Bennett when he pushed a goal-bound shot onto the post and away for a corner.

Elmore began the second period very positively, but some resolute defensive work plus a great display from Bennett between the sticks kept them at bay.

The one occasion he was beaten, Lewis was again the saviour turning it around the post for a corner.

Sam Burke, who ran himself into the ground, gave way to Fraser Beament. Elmore kept up a relentless pressure throughout, but Millwey continued to play their way out trouble with Nicky Land instrumental in the process.

Womersley was replaced by Sam Turner for the final thirty minutes. With Elmore determined to score and Millwey determined to keep them out these minutes were full of incident but ‘Rise’ went home happy with all the points having inflicted defeat on Devon Intermediate Cup finalists Elmore for the first time this season.

For Millwey it would be grossly unfair to praise any one player. This was a team effort full of determination by everyone.

If I had to mention two it would be Alex Rocket and Keith Forsey who worked tirelessly to blunt the rampant Elmore forwards.