SDFL division one Beesands Rovers 1, Ashburton 2
A difficult start to the season was compounded with three enforced changes for what was always going to be a difficult match against early-season league leaders Ashburton.
The game began with Bees forced to soak up pressure from Ashburton, who started strongly.
After 18 minutes the pressure told when an Ashburton attack produced a shot that hit the Bees ‘keeper on its way into the net to give the visitors the lead.
The Bees retaliated with a through ball from D Tucker that the Ashburton ‘keeper tried to clear, only to see it fortuitously hit Bees striker Lee Morgan and bounce straight back to him. D Tucker followed this up with a lovely cross field ball to Hayward and he advanced, sized up the situation and shot across the ‘keeper into the corner of the net for the equaliser.
The visitors attacked from the off and, with the Bees defence in disarray, a long-range shot hit the post, bounced along the goal line and was cleared for a throw. A further attack saw a shot cleared with good work from Jason Wilkes.
Bees showed their attacking threat soon after when Hayward showed some lovely footwork, advancing past two opponents with ease before passing to D Tucker, who shot over the bar from distance.
Ashburton attacks resulted in a shot high over the bar and then a cross and an excellent clearance header by Tom Harvey. Lee Morgan found D Tucker, he passed to Hayward who, in turn, found Bellamy, but he screwed his shot just wide.
Bees came back into it as D Tucker’s free kick into the area was met by Tim Bromfield, only for his goalbound header to be cleared on the line. Bees attacked again and a ball into the area saw the ‘keeper claim under pressure from Morgan.
An injured Tom Harvey was replaced by brother Dave before a neat corner from Hayward produced a clipped header from Morgan that the ‘keeper managed to parry.
Just before half time Ashburton gained a free kick a few yards outside the Bees area that was powered into the top corner to give the visitors a 1-2 lead at the whistle.
Paddy Wellens replaced Lee Morgan for the second half.
An early attack from the visitors saw a wide man dribble diagonally across the Bees area until, under pressure from Bromfield, he shot high and wide.
The Bees then forced a corner following work by Jed Tucker, but it came to nothing, before D Tucker cleverly found some space for himself only to see his shot blocked.
With Bees exerting more pressure, Wilkes and J Tucker’s exchange of passes found D Tucker. He sent in an inviting cross but no one couldget on the end of it. A subsequent Bellamy corner was cleared as far as D Tucker, but his clipped shot was saved.
Bees had ambitiously gone to four players up front, determined to redress the scoreline, and were attacking at all costs.
Ashburton responded with an attack of their own and saw a cross that evaded a diving Harvey go behind a goal kick. A further Ashburton attack was cleared by Lang at the expense of a corner that was cleared.
A Bees counter saw Lang with the ball in the middle of the area, but his shot struck the ‘keeper and went over the bar for a further corner, but again Bees couldn’t make it count.
A long throw from Hayward into the area saw Ashburton fortunate not to be penalised for a push in the back.
Further tricky footwork from Hayward produced a foul on him and he took the resultant free kick, just clearing the bar.
Mark Bailey replaced Sam Lamble and was soon in the thick of it, conceding a couple of free kicks with his enthusiasm.
Beesands continued to attack but just couldn’t find an equaliser. with the match ending 1-2. The man of the match: award went to Jason Wilkes.
Beesands’ next match, tomorrow, is a Firewatch Devon Senior Cup game at home to Brixham Town, kick-off 2pm.
All are welcome.