Beer Albion bounced back from two successive defeats with a 3-2 win against Newton St Cyres to consolidate their mid-table position in the Premier Division, writes Richard Honnor.

The game will long be remembered for a sensational goal from striker Chris Long. Directly from the kick-off the ball was laid back to Long who has a fearsome shot in his armoury.

He struck the ball first time from 55 yards, and, assisted by a strong following wind, the ball sailed over the stunned, but blameless, St Cyres goalkeeper via the underside of the bar into the net!

The goal was timed by referee Carter at 2.5 seconds and was the quickest goal ever seen at the Furzebrake and probably in the Devon and Exeter League.

Furthermore, an initial search of internet sources suggests that it might be the third-fastest goal ever recorded worldwide.

Buoyed by this amazing start and with the visitors still in shock, the Fishermen played some great football in the first 15 minutes carving through the Saints defence. Luke Bartlett was a whisker away from getting something on tantalising George Harwood cross.

Then Richard Walker created an opportunity for himself only to shoot straight at the Saints keeper. Long had a great opportunity on 10 minutes, but narrowly missed the target from 12 yards after good inter-passing between Bartlett, Walker and Pedro Fontes. But Long made up for this two minutes later when he was involved in a neat exchange of passes with the lively Bartlett who slid the ball home from close range for a 2-0 lead.

But gradually, St Cyres started to get their own game going. Despite facing a strong wind they played the ball to feet and their pace down both flanks was stretching the Beer defence. Winger Mustafa Rehemi often caught the eye running at the Fishermen’s defence and when he was brought down, not for the first time, just outside the penalty box, Beer keeper Mark Rooke was at full stretch to push the resulting free kick on to the upright and out for a corner.

Rooke injured his leg when falling awkwardly after catching the corner, but crucially for Beer he carried on despite receiving treatment and limping for the rest of the game.

As the first half drew to a conclusion, the Fishermen knew that they would face a struggle against the wind in the second half and so it proved. As is often the case with Beer this season they decided to defend deep, concede the midfield and rely on quick breaks. This encouraged the visitors and they regularly peppered the Fishermen’s goal. Keeper Rooke, an inspirational figure this season, was kept busy making two great saves in the first 10 minutes but he could only watch helpless as St Cyres striker Jordan Ford reduced the arrears with an unstoppable shot from 15 yards on 56 minutes.

Crucially however, Beer restored their two-goal cushion two minutes later with a fine piece of football. Walker chased a long ball down the right channel, then laid wide to George Harwood whose first time cross was neatly squared to Simon Smith who rifled in left- footed from eight yards.

Back came the Saints who piled on the pressure, but the Fishermen defended well with centre-back Andrew Foster in commanding form.

St Cyres did score a well-deserved consolation on 87 minutes after Beer conceded an unnecessary free kick on the right.

The resulting header was partially cleared, but Ford mopped up the rebound to score his second goal from six yards out.

The Man of the Match award, presented by match sponsors Hansfords Funeral Directors, went to Newton St Cyre’s Mustafa Rehemi whilst for Beer the award went to in-form defender, Andrew Foster.

On Saturday (April 1), Beer entertain table-topping local rivals Honiton Town.

Kick-off at the Furzebrake is at 3pm and the match sponsor is Annings Heating and Plumbing Engineers Ltd.

Beer Reserves also face local opposition away at Feniton Reserves in a Division Five game.