Beer Albion Reserves unexpectedly thumped Macron Division Three leaders Otterton 6-2 in the Bill Slee Cup on Saturday, writes Richard Honnor.

It was a day that the visitors will wish to forget. They just could not cope with the extremely windy conditions at the Furzebrake and their frustration spilled over, resulting in two sendings-off and six yellow cards!

By contrast, the Fishermen’s young side adapted well, pressed their opponents high and outplayed their robust opponents with some fine football.

Beer kicked off with the wind at their backs and penned Otterton in their own half. Within the first two minutes, the Fishermen created two good chances and they went ahead on three minutes when striker Taylor Rooke slotted home a penalty after he was brought down in the area.

Otterton had a great chance to equalise on 10 minutes when a corner was headed fractionally wide, but Beer went two ahead when Rooke converted his second penalty on 15 minutes.

As he challenged for a corner, Beer midfielder Alex Paget was felled by a clumsy elbow challenge and the offending Otterton centre back received his marching orders. Rooke coolly executed the spot kick into the corner giving keeper Mike Simpson no chance.

The Fishermen continued to dominate with midfielder Paget pulling the strings but had to wait until the 35th minute for their third goal. Paget hit a sweet strike from 25 yards which keeper Simpson appeared to have covered.

But the ball took a wicked deflection off Rooke, leaving Simpson stranded and providing Rooke, somewhat fortunately, with his hat-trick.

Paget chipped in with Beer’s fourth goal on the stroke of half-time, scoring from close range after another corner kick.

After the break and with the wind now at their backs, this was Otterton’s chance to get back into the game, but they completely blew it on 47 minutes when they conceded an unnecessary third penalty!

It was another clumsy foul and Taylor Rooke produced another perfect spot-kick to score his fourth and put Beer 5-0 ahead.

Otterton did have plenty of second-half possession, but failed to capitalise as they regularly over hit the final ball. On 68 minutes, Beer went 6-0 up with the best goal of the game!

This time Rooke was the provider as he broke away from the Otterton defence and unselfishly squared the ball to Billy Long, who placed his shot past the keeper from seven yards.

As Otterton’s frustration boiled over, the tackles flew in and another player received his marching orders after a late challenge on Beer wing back Ryan King.

The visitors did score two late consolation goals on 85 and 90 minutes, but marred their late rally with further reckless challenges resulting in Beer’s two impressive young centre backs, Liam Cox and Jay Catley, limping out of the action before the final whistle.

Match sponsor East Devon Physiotherapy of Sidford awarded Man of the Match to Beer’s midfielder Alex Paget whilst for Otterton midfielder Tom Matthew worked hard to salvage something for his side.

On Saturday (October 13), Beer Reserves are again in Cup action at the Furzebrake. Their opponents are Kingskerswell and Chelston Reserves and match sponsor is Beer Wet Fish Shop. Kick-off is at 2pm.