By Richard Honnor,

Despite being without a game last Saturday, Beer Albion 1sts finally clinched the Devon Football League North and East Division Championship when second-placed North Molton Sports Club, needing to win their remaining three games, could only muster a home draw against Newtown.

It has been a remarkable 12 months for the Fishermen who have exceeded all expectations in a short period. They won the Devon Premier Cup at the end of last season and after finishing third in the Devon and Exeter Premier Division they were promoted to the DFL. Now in their very first DFL season, they are league champions.

No one deserves this success more than first team Manager Mark Rooke. Showing great leadership and coaching skills, he has developed a squad of talented individuals into a cohesive team who work hard for each other and are difficult to beat yet without losing any of their attacking flair.

It was typical of Mark's dedication to the club that he was running the line for Beer Reserves away at Exeter University 3rds on Saturday. With uncanny timing, news of North Molton's draw filtered through just as the Fishermen's 2nds., who are embroiled in a fight to avoid relegation from Devon and Exeter Division One, scored a dramatic late winning goal to notch a fine win 2-1 over the students.

The players, coaches and small band of travelling supporters had double reason to celebrate and did so in style. And there were more widespread celebrations on May Day when the the new league champions entertain Exeter University 1sts in the final home game of the season, a game which is certain to attract a big crowd and ended in a 1-1 draw The n match day sponsored ny Colyford Butchers.

But Beer's season doesn't finish there! The Fishermen have the opportunity to win "the double" next Saturday (May 6) when they meet DFL South and West Champions Mount Gold in the DFL League Cup final at Barnstaple Town FC. The Plymouth side will present a tough challenge as they are unbeaten this season in all competitions. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Devon and Exeter League Division 1

University of Exeter 3rds 1, Beer Albion 2nds 2

Beer Albion Reserves who are embroiled a relegation battle gained a crucial three points with a 2-1 win away at University of Exeter 3rds on Saturday. The victory was achieved despite injuries in the first half to key defenders Jack Prior (hamstring) and Fraser Beamont who had to have hospital treatment for a nasty head wound following an accidental clash of heads. Up until his departure, Beamont had been outstanding at the heart of Beer's defence.

Beer started well, high-pressing the Students and denying them the space to play their passing brand of football. The Fishermen were rewarded with an 8th minute goal from 12 yards from the lively Max Richardson who pounced on a poor clearance from Simon Smith's drilled free kick into the box.

But after losing Prior and Beamont, the Fishermen dropped deep allowing Uni back into the game and keeper Shaun Denslow who made some good saves was the busier of the two keepers.

After the break, the Fishermen again started with plenty of determination to frustrate Uni's attacks. But as the half wore on, the students dominated the possession and the Fishermen began to tire. 

Denslow came to his side's rescue on 71 minutes with a brilliant save from a goal-bound 20-yard free-kick but the Beer keeper could do little about Uni's equaliser five minutes later following a flowing move.

The Fishermen dug deep with George Harwood prominent at the heart of Beer's defence and they finished strongly. With five minutes to go, they were thwarted by two goal-line clearances after a well-directed corner from man-of-the-match Richardson caused mayhem in Uni's penalty box.

Then just when a draw seemed on the cards, alert substitute Adam Clinch latched on to a dreadful mix-up between the Uni centre back and keeper to tap home from close range and secure the three points for his team.

Beer 2nds final game of the season is tomorrow (Wednesday May 6) when they travel to fellow strugglers Lympstone in search of another win which will hopefully preserve their Division One status for next season.