East Cornwall premier
Bere Alston United 2
St Stephens 1
BERE Alston made it four wins in a row and are now unbeaten in six after this hard fought victory against a strong St Stephens side, thus surely ending their visitors' lingering hopes of the title.
In an evenly matched first half of few chances, St Stephen looked sharper while Bere were playing the neater football.
Midway through the half St Stephens grabbed the lead out of the blue, when Ross Pinhammer latched onto a long clearance that had eluded the Bere defence and lobbed the advancing Craig Howells for a neat finish. Bere stepped up the pace and should have drawn level when Dan Pethick was upended in the St Stephens box, only for Mark Wheeler to see his penalty smartly saved by St Stephens keeper Matthew Grigg.
Then Bere's Zac Beesley was unlucky to see his header rebound off the upright after good work down the left from Marcus Pethick and Bere went in one down at the break.
The second half was as evenly matched as the first, but with Marcus Pethick switching to the right wing, Bere began to create more chances and after good link up play between Marcus and Dan Pethick, the latter crossed for Mike Curtis to volley Bere level.
The introduction of Ben Waters had Bere now attacking at pace down both flanks and another great run down the right from Marcus Pethick which saw him beat three St Stephens defenders before crossing low for Waters to tap home and give Bere the lead.
St Stephens piled men forward in search of an equaliser but the Bere defence, in which Lee Howells was once again in outstanding form, held firm.
Bere man of the match: Marcus Pethick.
• On Saturday Bere Alston are at home to Lanreath (kick-off 2.30pm).