East Cornwall Premier

Edgecumbe 3

Bere Alston United 1

THIS fixture was reversed because Bere’s pitch was waterlogged but Millbay Park’s pitch was rutted and the grass was very long, providing difficult conditions for both sides.

Playing against the wind Bere had to soak up a lot of pressure and defended well, but the pitch conditions caused problems for Bere, who tried to play the ball on the ground. The ball bobbled all over the place after a blocked shot from Edgecumbe and they swept in the rebound to take the lead.

With the wind at their backs Bere started passing the ball longer, and against the run of play Edgecumbe got a second on the break with a glorious curling shot from 25 yards.

Bere hit back within minutes as Ben Stephens scored from a loose ball. Bere had Edgecumbe back-pedalling and the Edgecumbe keeper saved shot after shot before they caught United with a sucker punch. From a rare centre into Bere’s penalty box, Darren Phillips was the unfortunate man as he headed past his own keeper to give the home side a 3-1 lead.

This took the wind out of Bere’s sails for ten minutes and as they got back into their stride, time ran out.

n Bere Alston will play a league game against Callington at home on Saturday, January 30, kick off at 2.30pm.