Millwey Rise 1st 1, East Budleigh 2nds 3

By Dick Sturch

It all went horribly wrong as East Budleigh scored with probably the fastest goal of the weekend in this Devon & Exeter League Division Three East opener.

From the kick-off the ball was played back to Millwey's keeper but his clearance fell to an opposition striker who calmly lifted it over keeper Nathan Hoole into an empty net.

Rise quickly settled down and looked good as they started passing the ball around with speed and fluency, fleet footed Sam Dibling bossed the midfield while Dave Bridges made some great runs down the wing.

From one such foray Bridges layed the ball back to Nathan Womersley who whipped the ball into the box over the keeper's head and crossed the goal line before Zak Meaker, following up, made sure.

He was then given offside even though the ball had already crossed the line. A lot of questions were asked by the home side but the referee stuck with the decision of the opposition's linesman.

Minutes later Meaker played a lovely ball over the top and Rise skipper Tom Bastin coolly slotted it past the keeper to make it 1-1. Just as half time was approaching, Dibling hit the opponents' upright and the ball was scrambled clear by a defender.

Rise were again guilty of creating problems for themselves when they were slow out of the blocks and within minutes of the restart East Budleigh made it 2-1.

Millwey then took advantage of a mistake by the opposition's glovesman when he was penalised after dropping the ball then picking it up for a second time. From the ensuing indirect free-kick, Dibling layed the ball to Womersley whose firm strike hit the upright.

Obviously Rise were out of favour with lady luck as East Budleigh quickly counter attacked and scored a well worked goal to make it 3-1.

Late in the half a red card was shown to an East Budleigh player after an altercation which saw the player blatantly kick Sam Waddon off the ball.

It was then all out attack by Millwey but unfortunately no reward for their endeavours.

Man-of-the-match went to Rise's 'Mr Consistent,' defender Leigh Beer. Millwey would also like to say a big thank-you to match day and ball sponsor Ian Meaker of The Vintage Trading Post.

Next week Millwey 1sts are away (over the hedge) to Axminster Reserves, a fixture not to be missed, and Millwey 2nds welcome Ottery St Mary 3rds to Cloakham. Both games kick-off at 3pm.