By Dick Sturch

Whipton & Pinhoe 4, Millwey Rise 2nds 0

Millwey began the game playing some neat football without creating anything in the way of chances.

The home side came more into the game as the half progressed and a free kick produced a smart save from Rise keeper Jason Hoole. He was then quickly called on to keep out a goal bound header from a corner and then watched on as a fierce strike crashed into the side netting.

Millwey came under more pressure as the half progressed. Young Joe Osborne did have a shot that was well saved by the home keeper but Whipton eventually went into the lead just before the half finished. In the second period Rise again started well and matched the home side for the first quarter. A powerful Jack Bennett strike flew wide of the mark before the home side once more began controlling the game. Sub Luke Thurlow replaced Osborne but minutes later Whipton struck again from a quick break out of defence. Two minutes later another goal made it 3–0. Owen Enticott came on to replace Haydn Lewis and just after Millwey were awarded a penalty. Leading scorer Bennett stepped up only to see his shot well saved by the keeper. This in fact spurred Rise on who were then denied a goal by some frantic last ditch defence from Whipton when a shot, that crashed against their cross bar before bouncing down on the goal line was cleared by relieved defenders. Whipton in turn again pressed hard and were rewarded with a fourth goal from a delicate lob that evaded Hoole and nestled in the corner of the net. Millwey's final opportunity of a goal came from a corner but Bennett 's header flew wide. Zak Meaker, who covered every inch of the pitch was definitely Millwey's man-of-the-match while central defender Bailey Hall worked hard to blunt the home side's attacks. Millwey, who currently suffer from a long list of injured, or 'unavailable' players, are finding life difficult. But this appears to be a problem shared by many other league clubs in the aftermath, or even the current consequences, of Covid. It could become a universal problem for many clubs throughout the league and even the country.