Beer Albion slipped into the bottom three of the Fresha Premier League when they went down 4-2 at home to Chard Reserves at a damp and misty Furzebrake on Saturday, writes Richard Honnor.

It was a game the Fishermen could have won as they were well in contention for 75 minutes, but their makeshift back line were caught out in the last 15 minutes by the pace of the Robins’ front men as the game opened up. Impressive striker James Boyland scored a hat-trick for Chard.

Beer were missing six first team regulars through injury, unavailability and suspension but the players who stepped up from the reserves all gave good accounts of themselves, particularly 2nd team player-manager and midfielder Simon Smith who looked composed and assured at the higher level. In fact it was Beer who started stronger with some good approach play, but went behind 1-0 on 22 minutes after Chard’s first attacking threat of the game had forced a corner and an unmarked Boyland powered home an unstoppable header.

The Fishermen were undaunted and for rest of the first half they played some neat football. They notched a deserved equaliser on 35 minutes when a well-flighted free kick from Josh Moughton was headed across goal by Richard Walker into the path of Jamial Iddi who in turn nodded the ball past the Robins’ keeper from close range.

After the break, both sides continued to play some entertaining football and Chard posted a warning of what was to come when Beer keeper Steve Jones saved desperately with his feet following a slick counter-attacking move by the visitors involving 10 passes. On 65 minutes Chard took the lead with a penalty after Beer defender Kieran Love handled unintentionally when the ball struck him from close range. The Fishermen responded immediately equalising two minutes later through a header from substitute Robert Adkin – his first touch of the game.

Both sides were now pressing hard for a winner and as the spaces opened up, the play was end-to-end. First, Beer’s Walker had a goal-bound shot deflected for a corner, then the visitors missed a great chance after another quick counter-attack. Back came Beer and Walker again came desperately close to scoring when his fierce strike from 25-yards whistled just over the bar.

But just when the Fisherman looked as though they might win the game, Chard went 3-2 in front after another fast break caught the home defence square. The visitors were now in control and sealed the game on 87 minutes with a fourth goal.

Despite the disappointing result, the depleted Fishermen deserve credit for a spirited performance and their contribution to an entertaining contest. Their final home game is the local derby against Seaton Town on Bank Holiday Monday (May 3).