East Cornwall premier
Lanreath 0
Bere Alston United 3
BERE Alston continued their recent run of good form with what turned out to be a comfortable win against a Lanreath side that were left to rue a host of missed chances that should have seen them take a share of the spoils.
Bere went into the game missing six players and without a recognised keeper as Mark Wheeler was forced to don the gloves for the second time this season.
On a hard bumpy surface that made it difficult for both sides to play any flowing football, Bere started brightly with Marcus Pethick looking lively down the right flank.
Dan Follett should have given Bere the lead when he was put clean through, but the Lanreath keeper made a fine save at his feet and Bradley Powell twice went close for Lanreath only to be denied by Mark Wheeler.
Bere took the lead in the 20th minute when Marcus Pethick picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Lanreath penalty area and fired low into the bottom corner.
Lanreath should have gone in level at the break but Dan Lawrence missed a simple header with the goal gaping and Mark Wheeler tipped another Lawrence header over the bar.
Lanreath started the second half in the ascendancy with Bere always looking dangerous on the break and they had Mark Wheeler to thank again for maintaining their lead when he made a superb finger tip save from Lanreath's Johnny Collins. Mike Curtis was then put through by James Elliott and although his initial effort was blocked, Dan Pethick followed up to ram home Bere's second.
Mike Curtis added a third when he was sent racing clear, while Mark Wheeler and the Bere defence held firm to maintain a clean sheet.
Graham Galway was unlucky not to add a fourth in the closing stages when he met Wayne Smalley's driven cross only to see his effort go inches wide.
Manager Kevin Taylor was delighted with the performance of stand in keeper Mark Wheeler.