Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League Division One: Beer Albion 2nds 2, Wellington Reserves 2
Our Reserves travelled to play the fishermen’s reserves and came away with a frustrating draw, although extending their unbeaten run to nine games.
Playing into the wind for the first half, the Tangerines started brightly, but it was the home team who opened the scoring on 26 minutes from the penalty spot after a dangling foot tripped their striker.
The arrears lasted two minutes as Wellington built a swift attack for striker Rohan Poulsom to be set free with a one-on-one with the keeper, who initially blocked the shot, then brought down the striker as the ball rebounded at his feet. The resultant spot kick was dispatched by Poulsom.
It was nip and tuck with both teams cancelling each other out, until the 46th minute produced a superb team goal with full back Callum Chivers feeding wingback Dom Healey who cut inside to deliver a bending cross to the far post for striker Luke Perry to place into the oncoming path of Poulsom to finish emphatically on the stroke of half-time,
Just as the second half was getting going, the Albion striker was adjudged to have been blocked and the penalty award levelled proceedings in the 47th minute.
The tight pitch made space at a premium, with the home team playing long ball and the Tangerines doing their best to play their customary pass and move game.
A couple of changes to raise the momentum with Logan Sellick and Olivier Nott introduced, but for all the endeavour the Tangerines could not fashion a clear opening with the hosts held at bay on their forages forward.
In the closing stages a Perry free kick was superbly delivered from the right and met with equal measure by midfielder Connor Noble’s diving header which hit the back of the nett at pace but it was ruled out for offside.
Man of the match was Dom Healey and thanks to Beer Albion for their excellent hospitality following the game.
Team: Tom Hyam, Callum Chivers, Tom Davies, Dylan Groves, Wes Poulsom, Dom Healey, Will Armstrong, Connor Noble, Aaron Hawkings, Luke Perry, Rohan Poulsom. Substitutes: Logan Sellick and Oliver Nott (used); Mark Owen, Jamie Fleet and Ned Ogilvie (not used).
On Saturday, the Reserves are away to Exeter University 3rds who won 3-0 when the sides met earlier earlier in the season and are a place below our lads in the division.