Beer Albion were rewarded for a hard-working performance with a 2-0 win over struggling Willand Reserves, writes Richard Honnor.

The visitors were undone by two first-half quality strikes from Chris Long in the space of a minute. It was an important three points for Fishermen as it keeps them safely above the relegation places, but they will need to keep picking up points in order to guarantee safety as the league programme enters its final phase.

Both sides were set up with narrow, tight formations and for the most part, the game was evenly fought. There were few scoring opportunities and the keepers on each side were rarely troubled. Beer however, showed more enterprise and quality in their forward play and this proved to be the difference between the two sides on the day.

Willand started brightly and the Fishermen were caught out a couple of times by the pace of the away team’s forwards. Chances were few and far between until the 25th minute when Beer player-manager Richard Walker shot narrowly wide from 25-yards.

This seemed to spur the Fishermen into action and six minutes later they took the lead when Walker headed on a clearance from keeper Jones into the path of Chris Long who hit a fierce strike from 22-yards giving the visitors’ keeper no chance.

Less than a minute later, a pinpoint pass from Sam Phillips found Long and he made it 2-0 with another thunderous drive which was almost a carbon copy of his first goal. As the half drew to a close, Long had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick but his shot was deflected by the away keeper’s outstretched leg.

Willand continued to show lots of endeavour after the break, but Beer’s back line coped comfortably, young defenders Joe Adkin and Josh Harrison both having excellent matches. As the game wore on, the Fishermen assumed control and almost added to the score when a spectacular left-foot strike from Walker skimmed the bar. As the game drew to a close, Long was again denied his hat-trick by the Willand keeper’s leg, but Beer had already done enough to secure three points.

This Saturday Beer entertain Exeter University Reserves in another Fresha league top flight game. The match, sponsored by The Dolphin Hotel Beer Ltd, kicks off at 3pm.