Millwey Rise once again managed to play when much of the Macron Devon and Exeter League programme was washed out, but the ongoing expenses that Rise are racking up whilst continuing play is taking its toll on club finances, writes Dick Sturch.

With Cloakham Lawns unfit for play with the continuing wet weather, Rise have managed to play three of their recent matches by switching them to the all-weather surface at the East Devon Leisure Centre. However, at £100 a game – that being the cost for hire of the surface – the Millwey Rise club coffers are being seriously hit!

Making the home game with Hemyock a much harder proposition was the fact that Rise went into the game without four of their regular 1st XI players and that played a part in them ultimately being beaten 2-0.

The Lewis brothers, Matt and Haydn were away, and Sam Burke and Tyler Warren appear to be long-term injury victims and are both doubtful for the rest of the season.

The game began with a period of end-to-end football during which time the home side were unlucky not to go ahead when successive shots by Nathan Womersley and Keith Forsey were pushed away by the keeper.

Shortly after Jack Farrant was crudely brought down in the area, but, for the second successive week Millwey failed to score from the ensuing penalty when Womersley’s strike was saved by the visiting glovesman.

They were soon made to pay for this when some slipshod defensive play let in Hemyock for their opening goal. The home side came close to scoring on several occasions. A Brad Lee Miller`s corner only needed the merest of touches to put it over the line. A flowing move from the halfway line resulted in Forsey again seeing his shot pushed away and a Womersley follow up smashing against the post.

Meanwhile, Hemyock had been playing some good football and penetrated the Millwey defence on numerous occasions and, but for Alex Rocket’s timely interceptions could well have been further in the lead.

They did however, go two goals up in the closing minutes of the half taking full advantage of another mix up in the home side’s defence.

In the early minutes of the second period Millwey were given some encouragement when Miller’s powerful shot was pushed around the post and for a short period they put their opponents under pressure.

In the 10th minute Hemyock almost increased their lead when a goal-bound shot was diverted onto the post and away for a corner.

At this stage the visitors were very much on top aided by Millwey’s inability to retain the ball. A spate of incidents then erupted resulting in Miller being sent to the ‘sin bin’ and Womersley receiving a yellow card for dissent. In the remaining minutes Rocket nearly became Millwey’s saviour when his free-kick rattled the visitor’s bar followed a minute later by his second free-kick that was pushed around the post. Jack Farrant then broke through Hemyock’s defence after some clever footwork but was unable to finish it with a goal.

For Millwey, Alex Rocket had an excellent game ably assisted by Nicky Land who covered every inch of the pitch, both in defence and attack.

Next Saturday (February 17), Millwey travel to Ilminster (3pm).