Beer Albion suffered another home league defeat on Saturday, this time shipping four goals to mid-table Exwick Villa, writes Richard Honnor.

This season the Fishermen have yet to pick up a league point at the Furzebrake which is usually considered a tough place for visitors to get a result.

Despite competing well and creating chances for a good deal of the match, Beer were undone too often by Villa’s wide play and some poor defending.

Yet for the first 30 minutes there was nothing to choose between the sides as they both struggled to come to terms with the extremely windy conditions. Beer Keeper Michael Westlake had to be alert to thwart a couple of chances whilst at the other end Beer striker Seth Wakely fashioned a couple of opportunities, the first being well-saved by Exwick’s keeper, McLean, and the second sailing over the bar. Then out of nothing on 30 minutes, Exwick took the lead. Beer conceded a soft free kick on the edge of the penalty area which was put away hard and low into Westlake’s left hand corner raising a question about the positioning of the home side’s wall.

The Fishermen bounced back and almost grabbed the equaliser when Wakely headed just wide after a good interchange between him and Richard Walker. As the half wore on, only a desperate block by battling skipper Sam Phillips on 35 minutes prevented a second Exwick goal but the visitors struck a crucial blow on the stroke of half time going 2-0 up after a defensive slip by the Fishermen.

Beer needed to respond quickly after the break but were unable to get a foothold and with the wind at their backs Exwick piled on the pressure. On 48 minutes, Westlake was at full stretch to tip away a fierce cross but Villa were starting to run riot down the flanks with left winger Steve Morris particularly impressive. It was Morris who laid on the visitors third goal on 50 minutes with a mazy run and cross which was slotted home from the edge of the six-yard box.

After the introduction of Luke Bartlett, Beer produced a good 15 minute spell and on another day the industrious Seth Wakely might have had a hat-trick. First, he made a good run down the left but his finish hit the side netting and then slick interplay between Walker and Bartlett put Wakely through but the luckless striker was foiled once again by keeper McLean. However, on 74 minutes Exwick wrapped up the game with a scrappy fourth goal, after the Fishermen’s defence failed several times to clear their lines. Again Beer came back with a couple of late efforts from Richard Walker but it was all in vain.

Match sponsor Mrs Sheila Driver nominated Beer keeper Westlake as her Man of the Match.

This Saturday (November 21), Beer travel to Exwick for the return fixture, while the Reserves host Starcross Generals at the Furzebrake (2.15pm), when the match sponsors are the Anchor Inn, Fore Street, Beer.