SDFL Division Two

Harbertonford 1,

Beesands Rovers 3,

A lovely autumnal afternoon at The Hams saw Harbertonford with an opportunity to go top, but their run of five wins was brought to a halt by the Bees, who completed an early season double over the Fords.

Beesands started brightly with a lovely Lee Morgan header flicked on to Andy Davis, who was tackled strongly in what was a portent of things to come.

Against the run of play Fords took an early lead through some nice one-touch football.

Beesands did not let this unsettle them and continued to play with confidence. Both sides were feeling hard done to by the referee.

Seven bookings were issued throughout the game, which did not reflect accurately what was a well-played, even-tempered game.

As Bees continued to attack, Davis was taken out by an opponent in what should have probably been the only booking of the match. Efforts by Ben Bromfield and Morgan were to no avail.

Davis set off on what are becoming trademark mazy dribbles, passing to striker Morga and receiving the return ball, only to be tackled for a corner.

Davis's corner was met by a Tim Bromfield bullet header which levelled the score just after the half hour.

Within minutes Bees took the lead. Harvey passed to Morgan, who crossed to Davis. Davis took off on a mazy dribble, twisting and turning the Fords midfield inside out.

Despite almost pantomime shouts by Fords players of 'Don't let him shoot', Davis looked up and, seeing the 'keeper off his line, hit a scorcher of a shot with the ball nestling in the top corner for 1-2. This was yet another of what are becoming trademark goals of quality by Davis.

Bees kept up the pressure with Morgan's long range shot unlucky to go over the bar.

The Fords hit back with a shot from the edge of the area but 'keeper Carl Hoare showed good positioning and palmed it down for a save.

The second half was pretty even, with both sides showing some good football.

Harbertonford came close to equalising when a deflected shot looked to be heading in but for Hoare, who pulled off an inspirational acrobatic save.

Tim Bromfield produced a number of crunching tackles on the edge of his own area.

Fords hit back and gained a free-kick thirty yards out which was deflected and tipped wide by Hoare. Browne cleared the corner and Davis went off on another long run and pass which was cleared back to him and his long-range shot was saved.

As Bees were tiring Paddy Wellens, who had been full of unselfish running, was substituted for Jason Wilkes. Ford tried to exert more pressure with three successive corners cleared by Browne and Dennis.

Bees countered with a Davis long pass to Browne forcing a corner. Browne's corner was met by Tim Bromfield's header, which was saved.

Ben Bromfield, in his own half, lofted a delightful long pass through to Morgan and as it dropped over his shoulder he executed a brilliant first-time volley over the keeper's head. A peach of a goal for a peach of a game.

The man-of-the-match was Mikey Dennis.