Beer Albion progressed to the semi-finals of the East Devon Senior Cup with a 3-0 home win against Macron League Division One side Perry Street and Yonder Hill, writes Richard Honnor.

The visitors were looking for another Premier Division scalp after knocking out Exwick Villa in the previous round and they took the game to Beer with some neat football. But Perry Street’s final ball lacked quality and on the few occasions when they hit the target they found Fishermen’s keeper Henry Bartlett in fine form. By contrast, although Beer had less possession, they carried the greater threat up front and secured the tie with three fine finishes.

The visitors started brightly and created the first chance on seven minutes when a header flew just wide from a free kick to the near post. For Beer, shots from midfielder Fontes were on target in the 14th and 29th minutes, but comfortably dealt with by the away keeper. The Fishermen enjoyed their best period of the game in the last 15 minutes of the first half and went in front on 32 minutes through Andrew Foster. The Perry Street defence failed to deal with a corner and the ball fell to Foster in space on the edge of the penalty box. The full back hit a sweet and low left-footer from 19 yards which went in off the post.

The visitors missed a great chance to equalise on 39 minutes when a free kick from the left was volleyed wide at the far post after the Beer defence failed to pick up players. Then Beer striker Richard Walker placed a looping header out of the keeper’s reach but the ball tantalisingly hit the upright. The Fishermen’s pressure paid off when they went 2-0 in front in added-on time. Walker made a great run down the left and his inch-perfect cross was headed by twin striker Chris Long past the Perry Street keeper from seven yards out.

In the second period, Perry Street pressed hard and their live-wire forward Dan Collins caused some headaches getting behind the Beer back line, but invariably the final ball was over hit and when keeper Bartlett was tested, his handling was impeccable.

On 75 minutes and somewhat against the run of play, the Fishermen made the tie safe with a spectacular second goal from Chris Long. Picking the ball up in midfield, the quick-thinking striker spotted the Perry Street keeper off of his line and lobbed the ball over the hapless gloveman from 45 yards.

The visitors had a great chance to reduce the arrears on 81 minutes when Beer centre back Joe Adkin conceded a penalty with a rash tackle.

But the well-struck spot-kick hit the underside of the Beer bar and was scrambled away to safety.

Four minutes later a fine point blank save from Bartlett kept the Fishermen’s clean sheet intact and ensured their passage into last stages of the competition.

Beer centre back Kieron Love was awarded man of the match for a solid performance by match sponsors Morgan Heating Maintenance, whilst for Perry Street, Dan Collins stood out.

On Saturday (December 16), both Beer sides are away from home with the first team in Macron League Premier Division action at struggling Topsham Town while the second team visit Newton St Cyres Reserves for a Division Four contest. Kick-off time for both games is 2:15pm.