SDFL division one
Stoke Gabriel seconds 0
The Bees had had a break of four weeks and The Cellars was the only fixture to survive the day, testament to the excellent work of groundsman Terry Patey.
With such a gap, the Bees were keen to continue where they left off and were looking for a fifth straight win. The Bees kicked off facing a vicious, swirling wind. Fin Bullen battled upfront and Matt Bodman put in a couple of early crunching tackles.
An early Stoke free kick was easily saved by Toby Harvey before lovely work from Jed Tucker released Bullen, whose shot was blocked.
At the other end, Stoke shot over the bar as they looked to open their account. Adam Patey was slotting in well to his new defensive role, with his lofted free kick was met by Tom Hansen’s header that came back off the bar and Tom Harvey’s effort was blocked and cleared. Bullen saw another shot go wide. An early injury to Dave Lang required him to be replaced by Joe Merchant.
A Stoke effort deflected over the bar for a corner and came to nothing. Bullen and Tucker saw efforts go high and wide.
Beesands broke the deadlock when Will Garner made a great interception and advanced, fighting off one tackle, before poking the ball to Hansen who, from the edge of the area, hit the ball first time into the back of the net to take the lead, 1-0.
A very young Stoke side showed great pluck in continuing to try to make things awkward for the Bees and had a good effort saved by Harvey.
The Bees kept the pressure up as the half wore on but just failed to find the finishing touch.
Bullen’s free kick hit the top of the bar and went for a goal kick before sending a shot that was just wide.
At the other end a Stoke shot produced a good save from Harvey. Stoke increased the pressure, with Bodman forced into a timely block tackle. From the resultant corner a shot was blasted and deflected for a further corner that caused some ping ponging in the Bees area before eventually being cleared as the half came to an end.
The Bees introduced new faces at half time, with Danny Tucker and Jason Wilkes replacing Dave Harvey and Joe Tucker.
With the wind in their favour the Bees were battering the opposition, who struggled to get out of their half. Lovely footwork between Wilkes, D Tucker and Bullen saw the latter’s shot go wide before a succession of corners came to nothing.
The Bees had a significant let-off when Stoke broke away and as ‘keeper Harvey came out the Stoke player rounded him and shot, only to see his effort hit one post and run across the line, hitting the other before retreating Bees defenders cleared.
This and the volley of criticism from their supporters galvanised the Bees into upping their game. they doubled their advantage when Bullen’s shot was saved, but the ‘keeper’s weak clearance was intercepted by Wilkes, who hit home to make it 2-0.
Having increased the initiative the Bees were still too anxious in their play, attempting shots from distance that, in the swirling wind, were always going to be a lottery. The Stoke ‘keeper, however, did have to be alert to pull off off good saves from Hansen and Bullen.
Eventually the pressure told, though, with Bullen capitalising on a mistake to hit home for 3-0.
This was swiftly followed by neat footwork between J Tucker and Merchant, with the latter meeting the pass and from distance, without breaking stride, guiding his shot into the back of the net for 4-0.
The rout continued when good footwork between Hansen and J Tucker saw the latter set off on a mazy run, ending with his shot being deflected into the back of the net for 5-0.
The match concluded with the Bees seeking to add to their tally but D Tucker’s effort was saved.
Man of the match was Tom Harvey. The Bees next fixture is tomorrow away at Newton Abbot 66 kick off 2.30pm. All are welcome to come and support the Bees.
Beesands Rovers wish to thank the Cricket Inn at Beesands and hosts Nigel and Rachel, their customers and the Bees supporters for the recent George Crispin Christmas Memorial Euchre evening, which was a great success.