Somerset Premier/Div 1 Cup last 16

Berrow 3 Peasedown Athletic 1

BERROW cruised into the quarter finals of the cup with a comfortable win over their Division One East opponents.

Berrow started well, keeping the ball for long periods playing some superb one and two touch football.

Tom Yates thought he had given Berrow the lead with a bullet header from a corner, but was denied by a defender on the line who somehow kept the ball out.

Berrow piled on the pressure and finally took the lead when Ben Robertson found himself free in the box and expertly placed the ball past the goalkeeper.

Peasedown then had a 10 minute spell of pressure but the Berrow defence of Gates, West, Kyle McErlain and Yates stood firm.

It was 2-0 right on half time thanks to a Luke McErlain penalty after Robertson was swiped out as he was about to tap the ball into an empty net, the referee somehow saw this as not denying a goal scoring opportunity and decided to just give the fortunate defender a yellow card.

Berrow were slack for the first ten minutes of the second half - a decent effort on goal somehow found its way past Barritt and it was 2-1.

This mistake was in no way a reflection of Barritt’s performance whose shot stopping, handling and distribution was superb all afternoon.

This didn't deter Berrow and they regained a strangle hold on the game frustrating their opponents by keeping possession.

Berrow were again denied when a Robertson header from a corner was somehow tipped over the bar.

He wasn't to be denied, from the resulting corner he got on the end of it yet again, again it was cleared but the referee deemed the ball to be over the line.

Manager Dave Keirle said: "I was delighted with the performance and attitude today.

“We changed the shape, changed a few players positions and brought in Ben Gates from the reserves, he usually plays centre back but we believe, especially after today's performance he can adapt to right back, he was absolutely superb.

“He's 17-years-old and played with the head of an experienced 30-year-old.

"We are in the quarter finals now so whoever we get we are confident we can get through, and even go on and win the competition."