All square between Exeter Civil and Alphas

EXETER CIVIL SERVICE 1-1 ALPHINGTON

The all-Exeter derby ended in a draw as Exeter Civil Service and Alphington finished 1-1 at Foxhayes in the SouthWest Peninsula Div 1 East.

This was probably the last time Exeter Civil Service in their current guise will host the neighbours before a summer name change. A strong crowd as well as a decent pitch and weather set the basis for a fiery contest which didn't disappoint.

Both of the city's suburban sides started lively with several early chances. The opener, though, came from an unlikely source - when Paul Gibbins made a mess of a backpass around 40 yards out.

Once the ball passed under him it was irretrievable, rolling over the line to put the tangerine-kitted visitors ahead. The remainder of the first half contained a few corners and half chances for Civil to equalise, but by now the match had became fully heated.

After the break the two clubs' rivalry was shown through the five cards in total - four of which went to the home side. Alphington missed several chances to double the lead, including an open-goal sitter from 6 yards.

They did indeed score a second in the 82nd minute with a soft goal from their no.6, however this was called offside and disallowed. From here Civil, spurred on by a very decent turnout, pushed on an arsenal of set pieces and breaks down the wing in search of a draw - which they got just after the 90-minute mark (pictured) with a sure place into the bottom corner at club end.

Several minutes of stoppage time had been added due to consistent physio treatment for Alphas on around six occasions.

Civil, who's 45 year span will end after this season making way for a newly named club, have another morning home game on Easter Monday (11am) against Crediton. Alphington will host the reverse fixture of today's game at The Chronicles next Saturday at 1pm.

ATTENDANCE: 95 est.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Johnny Holding

GOALS: ALP. - Gibbins o.g. 10; ECS. - Densham 90+1 CARDS: Yellow - ALP.- Holding; ECS. - Clarke, Murray, Gibbins, H.Taylor

BY ROBBIE JENNINGS, AT FOXHAYES