Beer Albion 1st team kicked off their season with a difficult away game at Elmore, and the match ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat, writes Mike Adkin.

Elmore took an early lead in the third minute when a free-kick into the box wasn’t dealt with by the Fishermen’s defence and the ball was swept in at the near post. Elmore continued to take the game to Beer, but in the 18th minute Jacob Clode was pulled back, and Chris Long wasn’t too far wide with the resulting long range free-kick.

However, in the 27th minute, after losing the ball in midfield, and a missed tackle in the penalty area, the Elmore centre forward curled the ball inside the post to the left of goalkeeper Michael Westlake to make it 2-0 to the home team.

The final 15 minutes of the first half saw Beer coming more into the game, with a further couple of good efforts from Chris Long. Just before the half-time whistle a great shot on the turn by James Melville was tipped around the Elmore keeper’s right hand post.

The second half began much as the first with Elmore the livelier team and pressing Beer well, and producing a good save on the line by Michael Westlake from point blank range in the 51st minute.

Beer began to see more of the ball, and, in the 66th minute, a good shot on the turn by Melville, was only just wide to the keeper’s left. Then a clear foul on Seth Wakely on the edge of the box in the 70th minute went unpunished by the referee. Against the run of play, Beer went 3-0 behind on 78 minutes. A long ball out to the Elmore left wing saw the ball taken into the box and slotted in past the advancing Beer keeper, Westlake.

Elmore’s back four remained strong through much of the game, but Beer could consider themselves unlucky not to at least get on the score-sheet.

On Saturday Beer’s senior team entertain Topsham Town at the Furzebrake (3pm). The match sponsor is Steamers Restaurant, New Cut, Beer, Devon.

Supporters will, as ever, be made very welcome.