Beer Albion Reserves who are embroiled a relegation battle gained a crucial 3 points with a 2-1 win away at University of Exeter 3rd’s on Saturday. The victory was achieved despite injuries in the first half to key defenders Jack Prior (hamstring) and Fraser Beamont who had to have hospital treatment for a nasty head wound following an accidental clash of heads. Up until his departure, Beamont had been outstanding at the heart of Beer’s defence.
Beer started well, high-pressing the Students and denying them the space to play their passing brand of football. The Fishermen were rewarded with an 8th minute goal from 12 yards from the lively Max Richardson who pounced on a poor clearance from Simon Smith’s drilled free kick into the box.
But after losing Prior and Beamont, the Fishermen dropped deep allowing Uni back into the game and keeper Shaun Denslow who made some good saves was the busier of the two keepers.
After the break, the Fishermen again started with plenty of determination to frustrate Uni’s attacks. But as the half wore on, the Students dominated the possession and the Fishermen began to tire.
Denslow came to his side’s rescue on 71 minutes with a brilliant save from a goalbound 20 yard free kick but the Beer keeper could do little about Uni’s equaliser 5 minutes later following a flowing move.
The Fishermen dug deep with George Harwood prominent at the heart of Beer’s defence and they finished strongly. With 5 minutes to go, they were thwarted by two goal line clearances after a well-directed corner from man-of-the-match Richardson caused mayhem in Uni’s penalty box.
Then just when a draw seemed on the cards, alert substitute Adam Clinch latched on to a dreadful mix-up between the Uni centre back and keeper to tap home from close range and secure the 3 points for his team.
Beer 2nd’s final game of the season is next Wednesday 3rd May when they travel to fellow strugglers Lympstone in search of another win which will hopefully preserve their Division 1 status for next season.
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