In front of a Furzebrake crowd of 180, Beer Albion were beaten 3-1 by local rivals Seaton Town in the East Devon derby, writes Richard Honnor.

Both sides have been struggling near the foot of the Devon and Exeter League Premier Division this season and although it was an even contest throughout, the Seasiders carried more attacking threat and deserved the three points.

Only rarely did the Fishermen get their passing game going, relying too frequently on long hopeful balls which almost invariably found a Seaton head or ran through harmlessly to Seaton keeper Casper Paine.

The long ball game can be effective with quick forwards but with due respect to Beer’s strikers, Chris Long and Richard Walker, they are not exactly blessed with pace.

On the other hand, Long and Walker are a real handful when the ball is played into them, but the quality of service to the Beer front men was poor.

Beer had the better of the early exchanges, but, after an injury to a forward player on 20 minutes, Seaton substitute Scott Jennings was introduced and he had an immediate impact on the game!

The Fishermen’s defence suddenly looked uncomfortable against Jennings’ mobility and pace and, on 27 minutes, Seaton went ahead when, after an incisive break, a shot ricocheted to Josh French who hit a fierce first time strike from an acute angle past Beer keeper Elliot Driver.

A couple of minutes later the Fishermen had a lucky escape when the ball was given away and a quick through-ball found Jennings, who took the ball early to beat the advancing Driver with a dipping effort which struck the crossbar.

On the half hour Walker saw a curling shot go fractionally wide before Seaton glovesman Paine denied him with a save at full stretch.

A minute later Seaton led 2-0 when the unmarked Jennings scored from close range.

However, the Fishermen grabbed a lifeline on 41 minutes when Walker reduced the arrears with a looping header inside the far post from Simon Smith corner.

After a scrappy start to the second half, Seaton fashioned a brace of good chances with Jennings denied by Driver and, from the ensuing corner French rifled a shot just over the Beer crossbar.

The key moment of the game arrived on 70 minutes. Beer constructed their best passing move finishing with a Walker shot from 12 yards which Paine parried at full stretch. However, he spilled the ball and subsequently brought down Chris Long to concede a penalty. Paine made amends – in some style too – as he saved Long’s spot kick!

The Seasiders countered immediately forcing a corner which was delivered to the near post where Liam Riste got across his defender to head home for a 3-1 lead to Seaton. Beer still had time to get something out of the game, but were able to make little impression on the Seaton back line and the Seasiders held out comfortably to secure the victory.

On behalf of match sponsor, the Cloth Shop of Seaton and Crewkerne, Mike Vine nominated Seaton’s Scott Jennings as Man of the Match.

On Saturday Beer travel to basement side Okehampton Argyle. Beer second team are in home action, entertaining Otterton (2.15pm). The match sponsor is Mike Adkin.