Feniton began their 2017 Macron League Premier Division fixture programme with a solid all-round performance that saw them win 4-1 at East Devon rivals Beer Albion.

Since winning the league in the 2012/13 season Fenny have lost every league game they have contested at the Furzebrake home of Beer.

They made their latest visit without a number of key players, but started brightly and had the better opening chances.

The home side gave as good for long spells of the first half, and they were denied the game’s first goal by a couple of smart saves from Fenny goalkeeper Aidy Pullin.

The deadlock was broken when a deep Paul Dowling corner was met by the head of Charlie Selley who looped his header back across goal into the far corner of the net.

Beer nearly got an equaliser as a long range effort from a cleared a corner took a deflection and struck the crossbar.

At the opposite end of the pitch a series of two-touch passing involving Dowling, Allen and Selley saw the latter calmly slot the ball past Mark Rooke in the Beer goal.

It was Beer who were the dominant force for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

However, during this period they did not create any clear cut chances.

The third goal came somewhat against the run of play as Ben Allen slipped the ball through to substitute Lewis Ede who coolly rolled two defenders and slotted into the far corner.

Beer then rattled the crossbar again from a shot from distance before Pullin was twice forced into excellent saves.

Feniton made it 4-0 when player-boss Ben Ede delivered a corner that was cleared back to him. He then calmly eased past one challenge before curling the ball towards goal and it was met by the slightest of touches from sub John French before nestling in the net.

Feniton wrapped the game up with their fourth. A Ben Ede corner was cleared straight back to him and he then beat a defender and his curling effort was flicked into the net by another sub Jon French.

Beer had the last word with the consolation goal their contribution to a fine game deserved.

Fenny boss Ede said: “The result is very pleasing. We always fine it tough at Beer. It’s never an easy place to visit and certainly a venue and opposing team that you need to work hard against to get anything from the game. A hugely pleasing factor is that, despite then festive three week lay-off, and being without a couple of lads, we have got all three points.

“Aidy [Fenny glovesman Aidy Pullin] Pullin again was superb while Ben Allen, playing in a new advanced position, was outstanding.

“We are looking to keep on building on this performance and result. We find ourselves in touching distance of the top five and that’s a huge plus for us given our poor start to the season.”

Next Saturday (January 14) Fenny host Clyst Valley (2.15pm).

Feniton: Pullin, Dyer (L. Ede), Bateman (Southall-Brown), Blackmore, Kingdon (c), Everett, B. Ede, Harris, Selley, Dowling, Allen (French)