East Cornwall premier

Bere Alston Utd 2

Probus 0

BERE Alston put last week's disappointing performance behind them and made it three wins out of four with this comprehensive 2-0 victory against a weakened Probus side.

Bere were themselves missing three players, but gave Gavin West his first start and a competitive debut to young Tom Hammond at right back which allowed Euan McCall to revert to a more familiar role in central midfield.

With club captain Will Westlake leading the attack, Bere set about the visitors from the first whistle and were it not for a host of missed chances, the majority by Westlake, they would have had the victory sewn up by half time.

As it was they had to settle for taking the lead five minutes before the break when Nick Aplin raced onto a superb through ball from Gavin West and despite taking a clattering from the Probus keeper, Aplin was able to prod the ball into the path of Westlake who finished from close range.

Probus came more into the game in the second half and Bere's Jack Dixon was forced into a smart save from Paul Cox and the home side continued to waste plenty of chances to increase their lead as Marcus Pethick, Gavin West and Westlake all missed when well placed.

Midway thorough the half and with the game still, inexplicably poised, at 1-0, Dan Follett was rewarded for his persistence as he won possession tight to the Probus goal line and cut the ball back for Gavin West to score his first goal for Bere and make the game safe.

With the three points in the bag, manager Kevin Taylor gave a late run out to 16 year old Josh Midson-Holmes and from his delightful cross Kev Bowden came close to adding a third and in the dying minutes Marcus Pethick's driven cross was stabbed wide at the far post by Nick Aplin.

n On Saturday in the Devon Premier Cup Bere Alston United v Roborough, ko 2pm.