Beer Albion gained a welcome three points, their first since early November, with a 2-1 victory against bottom-of-table Budleigh Reserves, writes Richard Honnor.

Beer were soon in front with a bizarre goal scored by their goalkeeper, Steve Jones! A Budleigh forward was adjudged offside and referee, Michael Kingdom awarded Beer an indirect free-kick, but changed his decision to a direct free-kick after some back-chat from the away side. With a strong following wind, Beer keeper Steve Jones hit a long free kick from just outside his own penalty area which bounced over the Budleigh keeper and into the net.

Beer continued to dominate the possession in the first half but failed to exploit the conditions, regularly over hitting long passes instead of keeping possession and playing to feet. They came close to increasing their lead on on a couple of occasions with Jamial Iddi hitting the post after good work from James Melville and then Melville himself volleying a Chris Long cross just wide.

After the break, Budleigh continued to defend bravely; for all their possession, Beer lacked a cutting edge and scarcely troubled the visitors’ keeper. As the Fishermen became increasingly frustrated at their inability to increase their lead, Budleigh came more into the game and equalised on 65 minutes with a sweet strike into the top right corner from midfielder Rawlings giving Jones no chance.

With the loyal home supporters becoming anxious that the Fisherman would yet again throw away the points by conceding a late goal, player-manager Richard Walker brought himself on and had an immediate effect. After Walker held the ball up well, John Cooper saw a good effort shave the cross bar. Beer continued to press and with 8 minutes remaining James Melville scored the winner with a fine solo effort, beating the Budleigh keeper with a left foot shot low into the corner. Melville had worked hard for his team all afternoon and was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match honour by match sponsor Jimmy Green Marine: Ski, Surf, Snow”.

Next up at Furzebrake is this Saturday (February 7) when Beer Reserves entertain Exwick Village in Division 6 of the Fresha League. Kick-off is at 3pm when the match sponsor will be the Cloth Sop, Seaton and Crewkerne (www.thecloth-shop.co.uk).