Millwey Rise were good value for a 4-2 home win over Newton St Cyres Reserves, writes Dick Sturch.

A minutes silence was held before the game in tribute to Tony Miller who sadly passed away this week aged 63.

Tony was a Millwey Rise man born and bred. He was a constant member of the team during the 1970’s and also held the role of treasurer.

He was a faithful supporter and his presence will be missed by all of of us on the Tea Hut terrace. His daughter, Jo Flint, carries on the family connection as she is the club secretary and husband Simon is team manager.

The game against Newton St Cyres was certainly one that Tony would have enjoyed – end-to-end football, 90 minutes of action and no small shortage of quality play.

Within the first 30 minutes Millwey had twice found the net through Jack Farrant and Nicky Land only to have them both disallowed for two very tight offside decisions!

They eventually opened the scoring through a rather fortuitous goal from Sam Turner who probably beat himself before he beat the goalkeeper, but goals are goals, however they come.

Sam Burke put the finishing touches to a delightful sequence of passes between Nathan Womersley and Nicky Land just before half-time to give the home side a two goal lead going into the break.

St Cyres came back into the game during the second period, but Millwey drew first blood when a Sam Burke flick-on put Womersley through to open his account and put Rise three goals to the good.

However, a dampener was soon put on the celebrations though when Chris Hinkson drew a goal back for the visitors.

A few minutes later Womersley latched on to Hoole’s long goal kick, outstripped the defence, rounded the keeper and coolly placed the ball in the net to maintain the three goal lead.

The final goal went to Adi Selway who was in the right position to put the ball past Hoole and claw a goal back for St Cyres leaving the final score 4-2 in Millwey’s favour.

For ‘Rise’, this was a great team performance. Shayne Featherstone was solid in midfield, Nathan Hoole in goal, commanded his area well and Nathan Womersley was again outstanding in leading the attack.

Next up, a home game on Saturday (February 18) with North Tawton the visitors to Cloakham Lawns (3pm).