Beer Albion Reserves clawed their way up to ninth place in Division Five of the Macron League with a comfortable 4-1 win against North Tawton at the Furzebrake, writes Richard Honnor.

The showery, blustery conditions did not make for a great spectacle but the game was played in a good spirit with plenty of endeavour and it was the Fishermen who had the cutting edge on the day.

Beer started the game strongly and almost went ahead as early as the seventh minute when Jack White intercepted a poor pass, but his shot was scrambled around the post by the North Tawton keeper.

However, from the resulting corner Ollie Page opened Beer’s account minutes with an unstoppable finish from 15 yards.

A rout seemed possible when, just five minutes later, left back Steve Howe put the Fishermen 2-0 ahead.

Howe went past two players as he worked his way to the edge of the penalty box and his speculative effort slipped through the North Tawton keeper’s fingers and trickled over the goal line.

But Beer rested on their laurels, allowing their opponents back into the game and the visitors were unlucky not to score on 26 minutes when a looping header hit the crossbar and then again on 31 minutes when keeper Henry Bartlett saved with his legs after the Fishermen were caught square.

The second half saw both teams in lethargic mode – just as the first half had ended – as neither side was able to take control of proceedings.

It was in the 61st minute that the third goal arrived when White produced a fine cross from the left wing which found Newbury unmarked at the far post and the Beer striker headed home.

The Fishermen at long last provided some urgency to the proceedings and midfielder Alex Paget who had a fine game scored Beer’s fourth goal after a neat exchange of passes with Adam Brewer. But back came North Tawton and the visitors went close with long range efforts on a couple of occasions before scoring a deserved late consolation goal, a fine strike from Tom Williams on 88 minutes.

The Man of the Match award went to Beer full back Steve Howe, whilst for North Tawton midfielder Alex Osman caught the eye.

Beer first team were without a game, but they are in action on Saturday (March 11) when they travel to Macron League top flight fifth-placed Heavitree United.

The Fishermen’s Reserves are again at home with a tough Division Five encounter against second-placed Crediton United Reserves.

Kick off is at 3pm and the match sponsor is Chapples of Beer Beach.