Devon Premier Cup

Roborough 0

Bere Alston United 1

BERE Alston came through a difficult first round tie in this year's cup at Roborough courtesy of some heroic defending and superb goalkeeping performance from Craig Howells.

Already without seven first team players, Bere's patched up team were dealt further blows with injuries to Zac Beesley and Lee Brooks early in the first half, but managed to match Roborough in the early exchanges and grab a vital lead when a speculative long shot from Mark Wheeler was fumbled across the line by the Roborough keeper.

With Bere's defence holding firm Craig Howell's was called upon to make a superb save at full stretch from a Paul Rapson free kick and Bere led 1-0 at the break.

The aforementioned injured players typified the Bere Alston team spirit and battled on courageously as Roborough laid siege to the Bere Alston goal in the second half.

However, a combination of sheer guts and determination, missed chances and a string of fine saves from Craig Howells saw Bere hold onto their slender lead and secure a passage into next month's second round where they will face a home tie against Barnstaple AAC.

Manager Kevin Taylor was particularly grateful to those players who carried on despite their injuries and was also pleased that for the second week running Bere's fighting team spirit had again won the day. l Bere Alston are to away to Lanreath on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Bailey's Restaurant Devon County FA Intermediate Cup.

Lewdown Rovers 0

Bere Alston United 5

BERE progressed into round two with this comfortable win at Lewdown.

Darren Phillips gave Bere the lead after only three minutes after good work from the right wing by Steve Carew. Two goals from Jamie Williams and a John McGowan effort from the halfway line made it 4-0 at the interval.

Unable to increase their lead and missing a penalty, Bere grabbed a fifth goal from Wayne Smalley to secure a home tie with Plymouth side Ham Green Rovers in the next round.