Thorverton completed a Premier League double over Beer Albion beating the Fishermen 1-0 at The Furzebrake, writes Richard Honnor.

It was a tight, turgid mid-table struggle, and with both teams playing narrow formations, it was not much of a spectacle for the loyal home supporters. There was little space for creative football in a crowded mid-field and both sides’ best chances came from long balls played out of defence through the middle or down the flanks. Yet again, frustratingly, Beer had Kieran Love and Pedro Fontes both unavailable and only one substitute on the bench.

The first 30 minutes of the game were uneventful with Thorverton’s excellent centre-backs and goalkeeper looking very assured in defence, effectively shutting out any threat from the home side. The game briefly sprung into life with Beer striker James Melville going close on a couple of occasions and then Thorverton shooting wide from a good opportunity. For Beer, Chris Long also hit the target with a free kick from long range but it was confidently held by the away-side keeper.

Beer started well in the second half, but after Thorverton’s keeper saved well from another Melville effort, the game fell back into the pattern of the first half with both sides working hard but achieving little in the way of free-flowing football. One goal was always going to settle things and it came from Thorverton in the 65th minute. After direct play down the left flank, Radford went past one Beer defender and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Beer pressed hard for an equaliser but were almost caught out on the break when only a fine save from Steve Jones prevented Thorverton from increasing their lead.

For Beer, midfielder Ollie Morgan and centre backs Joe Adkin and Richard Walker were impressive but all-in-all it was a disappointing performance from the Fishermen.