Beer Albion Reserves booked their place in the third round of the Firewatch Devon Senior Cup, with a hard won 2-0 victory over visitors Kingkerswell & Chelston Reserves from the South Devon League, writes Mike Adkin.

Sidmouth Herald: Football on pitchFootball on pitch (Image: (c) Image Source)

For the second consecutive Saturday, strong winds at The Furzebrake meant difficult playing conditions for both teams, but once again the Fishermen’s second string coped better, especially against the wind in the second half.

They took the lead on 14 minutes, when from a throw-in and subsequent ball into the box, Taylor Rooke rose unmarked to plant a well-timed header inside the post, well to the right of the visitors’ keeper. Rooke then spurned a chance for his second on 23 minutes, shooting straight at the keeper after collecting a long ball downfield from a Beer defender. However, the visitors always looked capable of an equaliser, and no 9 Ashley Beetschen missed two good chances on 24 and 33 minutes, with both shots sailing over the crossbar.

The second half saw much of the game in Beer’s half, as Kingkersewell & Chelston took advantage of a continuing strong tailwind, and would have equalised on 53 minutes if not for a great goal-line clearance by Alex Padget. Padget was then unlucky not to score on 61 minutes, after a quick turn in the penalty area saw him shoot just over the bar. Into stoppage time, Aaron Wain had a great chance to seal things for Beer, but headed over with the goal gaping, and it was left for Taylor Rooke to make the final score 2-0, burying the ball in the visitors’ net after a quick breakaway.

Match sponsors Beer Wet Fish Shop singled out captain Joe Clark as pick of the visitors, for a hardworking midfield display, but, with another strong all-round performance, Beer’s Jay Catley was nominated man of the match.

The Fishermen’s second string return to league on Saturday, with a trip to North Tawton.