Beer Albion recorded a comfortable 2-0 win at Clyst Valley in a Macron Devon and Exeter Premier Division game, writes Richard Honnor.

The Fishermen played some fine football throughout and the two-goal margin did not reflect just how one-sided the game was. It was good to see the Fishermen with a starting line-up which included their two most creative midfielders, Pedro Fontes and Simon Smith.

For availability and injury reasons the pair have not played together often enough this season.

But, well supported by Alex Hunt and with the energy of the Harwood brothers, who were finding plenty of space down both flanks, the midfield pair set up numerous attacks for the Fishermen.

On 10 minutes, a Fontes pile-driver was well saved by the Clyst keeper. Three minutes later Man of the Match Fontes set up Smith, who shot straight at the keeper from eight yards.

Then Chris Long was denied a penalty after being pulled back as he broke through. The ball fell to George Harwood, who was denied twice in rapid succession by goal-line clearances.

Long again narrowly missed the target twice in close succession and on 30 minutes Smith again shot straight at the keeper, one-on-one, after being put through by Fontes and Long.

Somehow Clyst Valley survived the barrage and on rare offensives they found Beer’s defence in commanding form, with centre back Ashley Driver winning the aerial challenges impressively.

But the home side were undone by an own goal on 37 minutes. A drilled, in-swinging George Harwood free kick from the left was inadvertently headed past the home keeper by the Clyst centre back as he attempted to clear the danger.

It was no surprise when Beer went 2-0 up on 51 minutes. Smith delivered a corner to the near post with sufficient pace such that striker Chris Long only had to make good contact to see his header fly past the Clyst Keeper.

The Fishermen kept up the pressure but without adding further to the score line, although Long did hit the foot of the post with a header on 77 minutes after connecting well with Jack Prior’s fine cross.

Young Beer keeper Henry Bartlett had a quiet afternoon but when tested his handling and distribution were sound.

The Fishermen’s next match is an away Macron Premier Division fixture at Exwick Villa this coming Saturday (April 28) with kick-off at 3pm.

Meanwhile, Beer Reserves, who had a fine 4-2 win at Newton St Cyres last Saturday, travel to St Martin’s hoping for a win to cement their creditable fourth place in the Division Four table.