By Dick Sturch

Millwey Rise 1st X1 2, Thorverton 2ndX1 0

Millwey Rise went ahead in the opening minutes of the game when Sam Dibling beat the keeper from an Owen Enticott headed assist.

The action then moved from end-to-end with attempts on goal from both sides. Zak Meaker's strong drive flew the wrong side of the upright. Dibling fed Joe Osborne whose shot forced the keeper to make a last ditch interception to force the ball round the post.

Rise were beginning to make inroads into the visitors' defence and in the 25th minute Enticott had a good effort saved. Flynn Smith, in the home goal, had to make a diving save to keep the ball out and there was a goalmouth scramble as the Millwey defence struggled to clear the ball. Thorverton were more dominant in the latter stages of the half and no prisoners were taken as tackles from both teams began flying in. Nathan Womersley had an opportunity late in the half but the ball flew wide.

The second period began at a frenetic pace with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. Thorverton did get the ball in the Rise net only to be ruled offside. Things got a bit heated from a corner to Rise and the referee had to intervene after some untidy tackles. Millwey looked particularly dangerous when they broke out but failed to make the opportunities count.

The visitors put the Rise defence under the cosh in the final quarter and keeper Smith was called upon several times to keep them out. The closest they came was from a close range free kick which he gathered full length in the bottom corner. Eventually one of the Rise breakaways came to fruition when Sam Beviss stroked home a Dibling through ball in the final minutes for a two goal advantage 

Zak Meaker worked hard in mid-field but the stars for Millwey were the back three of Bailey Hall, Ben Webb and the management team's man-of-the match Leigh Beer.

Next week Millwey Rise 1stX1 welcome Axmouth United to Cloakham Lawns.