After a difficult season, Beer Albion confirmed their Devon and Exeter League Premier Division status with a 5-0 thumping of Feniton at the Furzebrake on Saturday writes Mike Adkin.

In front of a bumper crowd of over 100 spectators, the Fishermen needed to at least match Bow’s result at home to Honiton, in the event a straightforward task due to the Hippo’s 7-1 victory.

Beer started the match tentatively, allowing Feniton to dominate the early stages with their front three always posing a threat, although often lacking accuracy with the final ball. Beer slowly came into the game as the half wore on, and were rather fortunate to go 1-0 ahead in the 39th minute when a shot from Pedro Fontes found its way into the net after an unpredictable bounce off the dry surface in front of the Feniton keeper. Beer made a much stronger start to the second half, and started to create more chances, and only a good save from the Feniton keeper in the 49th minute stopped Richard Walker from making in 2-0 after being put through by Ben Vine. Fontes went close again in the 52nd minute, and an appeal for handball in the 60th minute was turned down after Walker’s goal bound shot was blocked in the penalty area. However three minutes later Beer got their second goal when Fontes volleyed home after a lay off from Walker. Fontes then completed his hat trick on 73 minutes, a solo effort after a great flick on from Luke Bartlett, beating two players before striking home from 18-yards out. Beer were now playing some of their best football of the season, and with Feniton appearing to lose their appetite for the match, were soon 4-0 ahead courtesy of Chris Long after a one-two on the edge of the Feniton box. Into stoppage time, the Fisherman completed the 5-0 rout, a grubber kick from Jack White hitting a post and Tom Neale reacting quickest to poke the ball home. All in all, a great all round performance by the whole team, and with man of the match awarded to Fontes by the match sponsor Colyford Butchers. With their league programme completed, all eyes now turn to Colyford Road this Friday, when the Fishermen take on arch rivals Seaton Town in the Seaton Challenge Cup final in what should be another epic battle in one of the leagues oldest derbies.