Millwey Rise edged out visiting Central in a nine-goal ‘thriller’ at Cloakham Lawns, writes Dick Sturch.

The home team made a great start and, when they were awarded a fifth minute penalty, it was coolly slotted home by Brad Lee Miller. However, the early euphoria was short lived as the visitors levelled with a ninth minute direct free-kick.

Just minutes later the home lead was restored when goal-scorer turned provider as Miller fed a cute pass to Nathan Womersley, who placed his shot wide of the keeper.

Tyler Warren then saw a sweetly struck shot fly past the wrong side of the visitors’ upright with the keeper well beaten. Central came back into the game and levelled things up just a minute before the break.

On the restart Millwey were soon on the attack and Womersley had a shot beaten away by the Central glovesman. The early second half pressure continued and a few minutes later the same player laid the ball off to Alex Rocket who hit a devastating volley which arrowed into the net to give Rise the lead for the third time in the contest.

Rocket was then replaced by Jack Farrant, but shortly after Central levelled once again with a scrambled effort after Millwey’s defence failed to clear. Eighteen minutes into the half, a free-kick by Miller was fumbled by the visitors’ keeper which allowed Womersley to stab the ball home.

Five minutes later Womersley completed his hat-trick when he converted a pass from Miller. In the 80th minute Central scored again when a well-struck shot from outside the area hit the back of the net to bring the goal difference to one. The last 10 minutes were a nail-biting affair for the Tea Hut terrace, but their side hung on to clinch a hard fought 5-4 victory. The Central scorers were Nick Horne (2), George Goodchild and Callum Ellis.

This was not Millwey at their best, but their resolve eventually gained the points. Regulars Sam Burke, Shane Featherstone and Danny Larcombe were missing from the squad. Womersley again proved to be the Millwey star, while Brad Lee Miller was prominent with some telling through balls.

On Saturday the Rise first team are in Devon Intermediate Cup action when they entertain North Devon League side Hartland and Clovelly (2pm).