Beer Albion look like being sucked into a Premier Division relegation dogfight following their 4-2 defeat away to Newtown on Saturday, writes Richard Honour.

After holding their opponents at 1-1 in the first half, and despite taking the lead at the start of the second period, the Fishermen’s performance degenerated inexplicably and they were well-beaten in the end.

Beer had several key players missing, including keeper Steve Jones, full-back Josh Harrison and striker James Melville.

Inexcusably, on a day when Beer Reserves had no game, the first team could only muster at late notice one substitute

In an evenly contested first half, Beer had their fair share of possession and held their own – despite full-back Shaun Denslow taking an early knock and limping on for most of the first half.

The home side took the lead after 25 minutes through their centre forward who scored a crisp shot giving stand-in keeper Gould no chance. On 35 minutes, Beer equalised with a great 30-yard left-foot strike from Richard Walker that looped over the keeper into the top-left corner.

On 40 minutes Newtown were reduced to 10 men when their keeper was red-carded for deliberate handball outside the penalty area.

With substitute Simon Smith now on for Denslow, this presented Beer with a great opportunity to go on and win the game.

The Fishermen did take the lead at the start of the second half through a well-placed shot by substitute Smith.

But their lead was short-lived and Newtown scored a headed-equaliser on 60 minutes after slack marking by the Albion defence.

Beer were denied a penalty when Walker was brought down in the box, but the 10 men of Newtown were showing more determination and deservedly took the lead again through poor defending by the Fishermen at a corner.

In the 80th minute, Newtown now well in control scored their fourth. Towards the end, Walker hit a post with a clever lob over the keeper, but Beer can have no complaints about the final result.

For Beer, midfielders Martin Adkin and Sam Phillips performed well and Joe Adkin had a solid game at centre-back.

Collectively, the Fishermen will need to step up their game to guarantee Premier division football next season.

Beer 1st’s entertain third-placed Heavitree Utd at The Furzebrake in a Premier Division fixture this Saturday (3pm).

The match sponsor will be Colebrooke Guest House, Beer.