Over the last week, there were mixed fortunes for Beer Albion FC as both first and second teams worked through a backlog of tough fixtures forced on all clubs by the soggy winter, writes Richard Honnor.

The highlight of the recent matches has to be the Beer Reserves’ 2-1 success against Feniton Reserves on the first Wednesday of May and that takes them into the final of the Carlisle Cup, which is being played on May 18 when they will face Division Six side Bravehearts. The Beer scorers were Jacob Clode and Jay Catley.

However, the Fishermen second string were brought back down to earth with a bang on Saturday, losing their final league game 7-0 at the hands of runaway Division Four champions Whipton and Pinhoe.

With a game to go, the Exeter-based side have not dropped a single point all season and have scored an incredible 147 goals in 23 games.

Beer Reserves finished fifth in the Macron League Division Four table and that represents a creditable achievement considering they have come up from Division Six in successive seasons.

Also on the first Wednesday in May, Elmore clinched the Macron Premier Division title when they defeated Beer first team 4-0.

After conceding two goals in the first 10 minutes, the Fishermen competed well with their talented and unbeaten opponents.

Although they lacked the firepower to really threaten the Eagles, Beer’s young makeshift front pairing of Jack Harwood and Ed Karajev worked tirelessly in closing down Elmore’s defenders. Pedro Fontes also battled hard in midfield and Joe Adkin played well in defence.

In a Saturday game, the Fishermen first team had another tough assignment away at fourth placed Newton and came off second best, losing 3-0.

However, pride was restored on bank holiday Monday at The Furzebrake when they battled back to draw 2-2 with Heavitree after being two goals down.

Beer’s next league game is the local derby against Seaton Town on Friday evening (May 11) at Colyford Road, with the game kicking off at 6.45pm.

The Seasiders need the points in their desperate battle against relegation, so a close, hard-fought encounter is expected.

The Fishermen should be up for the challenge, however, to cement their respectable mid-table ninth position.