After the disappointing opening defeat at Kentisbeare, Beer Albion 1st’s opened their account with an impressive 3-1 victory at Axminster 2nd’s in this Joma Devon and Exeter Premier Division derby last Wednesday writes Richard Honnor. It was a sparkling performance from the Fishermen under the Axminster lights and but for the woodwork and some spurned chances the margin of victory could easily have been doubled.
After a nervy start, Beer took a 10th-minute lead when Giles Basson turned the Tigers defence and hit an unstoppable 20 yarder into the left corner. Minutes later the Fishermen were 2-0 up when right-wing back Jack Prior popped up in the penalty area to place home a left-footer from 12 yards.
Axminster got a foothold in the match when Beer conceded an unnecessary penalty on 23 minutes. The spot-kick was slotted home to make the score 2-1 at half-time.
After the break, Beer dominated proceedings across the park and they increased their lead when Basson outpaced the home defence and rounded toe Axminster keeper to tap home his 2nd goal.
Although they competed really hard, the Tigers were always troubled by the pace of the Fishermen’s front players, particularly man-of-the-match Basson and Tony Pinder, but this was a fine performance from the entire Beer team.