SDFL division one

Beesands Rovers 6

Beesands played the first of their five midweek catch-up games on Wednesday, April 22, away to bottom of the table Buckfastleigh.

Any possibility of an upset were quickly erased as Danny Tuck­er's neat control in the area saw him beat two defenders before squaring to Jack Ballinger, who lashed the ball home with barely five minutes played.

Only an inspired display by the home 'keeper kept the visitors at bay until the 32nd minute when a corner was headed clear straight to Tucker.

With one touch to control, his second was an inch perfect lob from 25 yards, over the 'keeper and just under the bar for 2-0. Whereas the previous goal was individual class, the third was a well crafted team effort.

T J Lang received a throw from 'keeper Carl Hoare, passed to Dave Harvey, who in turn found Luke Broad.

The latter strode through the midfield before putting a perfect pass into skipper Alex Browne, who unleash­ed a cracking shot.

Once again the 'keeper pulled off a superb save, but the shot was too hot to hold and Lee Morgan snapped up the re­bound.

Just before the half time whistle, Morgan latched on to a flick from Guy Watson to slot home his second.

The second half was only three minutes old when individual persistence in the area saw Morgan complete his hat-trick and that was the cue to rest a few players with injuries, 16-year-old Elliot Bel­lamy coming on in place of Tucker.

The young winger was quickly involved setting up goal number six as his cross was slotted in by Watson.

Beesands made further changes, Rob Greenwood coming on for Harvey and Jason Wilkes for Hoare, T J Lang donning the gloves for the final 25 minutes.

Once again the Buck­fastleigh 'keeper had a purple spell, saving from Bellamy and Wilkes (twice) and Morgan had a potential fourth goal wrongly rules out for offside.

Despite there being no further goals it was a job well done and another valuable three points in Beesands attempt to climb the table.

Good luck to East Allington reserves in the Fred Hewings Cup final on Bank Holiday Monday from everyone at Beesands Rovers.

The Gazette wishes to clarify that the goalkeeper in the picture printed in the April 24 issue was Sean Raymont, standing in for the injured Carl Hoare, not Hoare as was mistakenly captioned.