A depleted Beer Albion put up a brave performance against South West Peninsula League opponents, Budleigh Salterton, before being edged out 2-1 in a tightly contested Devon Premier Cup tie, writes Richard Honnor.

Sidmouth Herald: Beer Albion at home to Budleigh. Ref shsp 7752-45-14TI Picture: Terry IfeBeer Albion at home to Budleigh. Ref shsp 7752-45-14TI Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The Fishermen started without key players Morgan, Foster and Denslow (all injured) and Martin Adkin currently unavailable, and this was compounded by having no substitutes on the bench!

On the positive side, James Trewick returned for his first game of the season after a long spell out following ankle surgery. The home side started brightly with the advantage of a strong wind at their backs and dominated possession without creating any clear cut chances in a goalless first half. After the break, Beer started to play some neat football, and could have scored twice before James Melville put them deservedly ahead on 60 minutes after fine work by Chris Long. Budleigh came back strongly and equalised three minutes later through Mark Lever after the home side conceded an unnecessary free kick on the edge of the box. The game was still in the balance and the key moment was when the Budleigh keeper made a brilliant save from a John Cooper header. Budleigh were now creating good chances themselves and, with just five minutes to go Callum Shipton slotted home the winner for the away side. For Beer, there were good performances all over the park with Richard Walker outstanding at centre-back and Trewick making a promising return. Player manager Walker felt that his side were just as good as their Peninsula League opponents, and only lost out through a couple of lapses of concentration at key moments.