Somerset County Premier

Berrow 2, Shirehampton 4

TEN-man Berrow were unable to halt the Shirehampton charge as they were beaten 4-2 by the runaway league leaders on Saturday.

Trailing 3-0, Berrow’s task was made a whole lot more difficult on the hour mark when striker Dan Keirle was sent off – but the hosts managed to pull two goals back courtesy of Byron Lismore and Luke McErlain.

Berrow started well and went close to opening the scoring when Harry Taylor tested the keeper from distance, whilst Scott Lismore and Dave Keirle were giving the Shire defence a hard time.

The visitors took the lead somewhat against the run of play, when a deep cross was headed home by Scott Bamford.

Berrow continued to shade possession and with Dave Bidgood impressing on his debut, they looked like getting back into the game.

On the stroke of half time, Luke McErlain’s deep free kick was met by Byron Lismore, whose header drifted just over the bar.

Berrow started the second half well and it seemed only a matter of time before an equalizer was forced, but disaster struck from a Berrow corner as Shire broke at pace - and with Berrow outnumbered, a good cross was turned in from six yards by Joe Harvey.

Harvey doubled his tally minutes later, taking advantage of a mistake on the edge of the box – and when Keirle saw red soon after, Berrow looked all but dead and buried.

But the hosts continued to attack and were rewarded when Luke McErlain’s free-kick was touched onto the post and Byron Lismore followed up to score.

Berrow suffered again when Kyle McErlain picked up an injury whilst on the ball - and while he was down, Shire striker Harvey took advantage to complete his hat-trick.

With eight minutes to go, Luke McErlain bent a lovely free kick over the wall and into the corner to make the score 4-2 - and although Berrow continued to attack, the leaders held on for the points.