By Dick Sturch

Millwey Rise 1st X1 2, Heart of Oak 1st X1 4

Millwey Rise were certainly caught out when the D & E Division Five League leaders went a goal up within the first five minutes. And really they hadn't recovered 25 minutes in when they went a further two goals behind. They then managed to steady the ship and actually had a couple of opportunities to reduce the arrears, but then another lapse allowed the visitors to increase their lead with another goal minutes before the half time whistle.

A change of formation for the second period saw Rise adopt a 3:5:2 line-up in an attempt to neutralise the threat in midfield. Early into the half Ty Allen came on for Ben Roslin. The change saw Rise start to close down Oaks open play and provided chances to which, unfortunately, they were unable to find a finish.

Alex Osbourne on for Jack Bennett and Callum Farquhar on for Dave Bridges helped to keep the pressure on the Oaks. Millwey were awarded a penalty and central defender Leigh Beer stepped up but unfortunately put the ball wide of the post.

Rise kept battling away and Sam Waddon pulled a goal back when he dispossed an Oaks player looked up and saw his 'wonder strike' fly into the top corner of the visitor's net. This was soon followed by a Callum Board strike to pull two goals back. They could not make any further progress but if they had shown the same endeavour in the first half the result could have been much closer. Millwey's Man of the Match was Sam Turner.

Millwey Rise 1s tX1 visit Otterton 1stX1 next Sunday in the Golesworthy Cup (kick-off 2pm).