SDFL Division Two

Paignton Villa 2,

Beesands Rovers 2

Crisp, invigorating and bright was the weather at Whiterock. Unfortunately the same could not be said of Beesands Rovers' first half.

One might have been excused for thinking that the Bees defence was a new, inexperienced unit with the disarray that ensued in a dramatic match.

Bees were slow to get into the game, allowing Villa to take control. A counter-attack by Villa had their winger ease past the Bees defence and his simple cross in, across the line of defence, was simply tapped in within two minutes for Villa to take the lead.

Disjointed play by Bees still produced some individual moments, such as Josh Pascoe's shot, which was parried by the 'keeper for a corner

Bees were not learning from their early defensive frailties. Another easy breach of their defence saw a shot well saved by keeper Carl Hoare.

Villa were continuing to control the game and came close a couple of times, before Bees did at least make the 'keeper work via a Tim Bromfield header.

The play was now end to end. Hoare made another good save before Harvey's throw to Davis saw him weave into the area and to the line and Browne's stabbed attempt at the ball was cleared.

Following this,Villa had a corner which was cleared but knocked back in with Hoare making another fine save.

The half ended with Bees attacking again and Lang's free kick was net with the deftest of headers by Morgan but cleared.

The second half had Villa quick out of the blocks and attacking again. Similar to the start of the first half, a Bees attack broke down and the Villa counter attack saw the ball played out to the left, where the Villa striker cut in and slotted past the 'keeper for a 2-0 lead to the home team.

Villa were buoyant, attacking again with Bromfield heading behind for a corner.

Villa pressure resulted in Bees moving to a more counter-attacking gameplan.

A substitution saw Andrew Tildesley replace Lang and Tom Hansen replace Wilkes for Bees.

Rovers were certainly sticking at their task and were greatly improved from the first quarter.

Villa were attacking often again but Bees showed resilience, with Browne's plucky run producing a corner from his cross.

Villa recognised the Bees fight back with three attempts to bring Davis down, the last of which had the referee talking with the Villa player.

Soon after Davis' free kick to Browne ended up with a goal kick.

Showing more promising signs, Bees soon had another free kick and Pascoe, from just inside the Villa half, floated the ball into the area for Bromfield, but the 'keeper was first to it.

Soon after a foul on Browne saw Davis' shot deflected and saved. After a further series of fouls Browne's free kick was headed out and Morgan's headed attempt went just over the bar.

At this point the Bees decided to replace Mikey Dennis with TJ Lang. Some neat triangular passing between Bromfield, Browne and Davis was encouraging, as was the fact that Bees' early defensive frailties seemed to have disappeared and Raymont was showing his standard impeccable play at the back.

With ten minutes remaining Pascoe's long throw was met by Bromfield's header to Morgan, who returned it to Bromfield to lash home and halve the deficit at 2-1.

Bees kept up the pressure with successive attacks on the Villa goal, involving Davis and Harvey. Blocks and a clearance which reached 'keeper Hoare were swiftly punted back in. Davis was then fouled and his quick free kick was saved. The resulting throw-in saw a shot cleared.

Soon after, a Tildesley pass to Lang saw his cross just short of the sliding Harvey. The ball back into the Villa area saw Hansen fouled and a penalty and card given as punishment. Browne was cool in his penalty execution, sending the keeper the wrong, and levelling the score at 2-2.

From the kick off Villa shot, from the halfway line, over the bar and the final whistle was blown. Despite a shaky start the Bees kept at it and were justly rewarded for their efforts.

The man-of-the-match was Josh Pascoe.

Beesands next game is away, at Bakers Park, on December 8, against Newton United with a 2.30pm kick-off. Everyone is welcome to come and support.