Beer Reserves shared the spoils with their close rivals Dunkeswell Rovers in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Furzebrake on Saturday, writes Richard Honnor.

The Fishermen looked like reversing their 2-1 defeat at Dunkeswell earlier in the season but were foiled by a late equaliser.

The first half saw chances go a-begging at either end with the visitors hitting the underside of the bar after 5 minutes when it seemed easier to score and then both keepers pulling off good saves. As the half wore on Beer began to dominate the possession and deservedly took the lead on 40 minutes when the lively Ben Abbott made a good run down the inside-left channel. His cross was only partially cleared and the ball rebounded into the Beer winger’s path and this time he finished neatly into the far corner from an acute angle.

The visitors started the second half strongly and were soon back on level terms through Brad Moores, his shot from 12 yards giving Fishermen’s keeper Shaun Gould no chance. With Beer missing key defenders Josh Moughton through suspension and Ollie Page through illness, one feared that home side might capitulate against their determined opponents. The Fishermen however held their nerve and came back strongly to boss the game again. On 65 minutes Beer went 2-1 in front through man-of-the-match Adam Brewer who headed in Simon Smith’s well-flighted corner. From thereon, the Fishermen dominated the game and only some good saves by Dunkeswell’s keeper kept them in contention.

On 78 minutes Beer had the ball in the net after Dunkeswell player, Ryan Pike, handled on the line. However, the goal was disallowed as the referee had blown up for a penalty a split second before the ball crossed the line but the visitors were reprieved when Tom Neale put the spot-kick wide. Beer continued to press and yet another great save by the Dunkeswell keeper denied Matt Smith’s deflected 35-yard strike. With just five minutes remaining Beer were made to pay for the penalty miss when Dunkeswell’s Pike hit the late equaliser; it was somewhat ironic as Pike could have received the red card for the earlier hand-ball offence.

After the game player-manager Simon Smith said, “With key defenders Moughton and Page missing, before the game I would have been happy with a draw against Rovers, but after so much possession I was disappointed that we let them back into the game to deny us the three points.”

The next game at the Furzebrake is on Saturday 28th February when Beer 1st’s entertain unbeaten Hatherleigh Town in the Premier Division of the Fresha League. Kick off is at 3 pm and the Match sponsor will be Woozie’s Deli, Fore Street, Beer.