Launceston 1
Bere Alston United 2
BERE Alston got their third season in the ECPL Premier Division off to a winning start with this hard fought 2-1 victory at Pennygillam.
With Mark Wheeler once again donning the goalkeeper's jersey and both Euan McCall and Kevin Bowden making their league debuts, Bere started brightly with Graham Galway, Mike Curtis and Bowden all going close.
It was against the run of play that Launceston took the lead after fifteen minutes when Paul Cowling crossed from the left and Richard Graves nipped in behind Will Westlake to head past Wheeler.
The goal definitely knocked Bere out of their stride as Launceston began to enjoy the lion's share of possession and they could have increased their lead when another cross was almost met by Cowling at the far post.
Slowly but surely Bere got themselves back into the game and they duly equalised just before the break when Ed Hillier sent Graham Galway clear and despite getting clattered by the Launceston keeper, he managed to prod the ball into the net.
Bere came out stronger in the second half, but it was not until the introduction of Nick Aplin and particularly Aaron Rockey that they began to take control of the match .
First Aplin went close and then from a right wing corner, Ed Hillier saw his goal bound header cleared off the line.
With ten minutes to go, Aaron Rockey received a pass from Jason Clancy midway inside the Launceston half and from all of 35 yards, he swivelled and fired a shot over the keeper and into the top corner for a stunning finish.
Launceston went in search of an equaliser, but Mark Wheeler and the Bere defence held firm to secure the three points.
Manager Kevin Taylor was naturally delighted with the win and was particularly pleased with his stand-in keeper Mark Wheeler, who has now played in goal six times over the past three seasons and still has a remarkable 100% record.
Taylor also knows that despite the win, Bere will need to play much better in the coming weeks.
Next fixture: Saturday August 28 (ECPL Premier Divison) — Bere Alston United v St Dennis, kick off 3pm.