Routine win over Totnes for undefeated Exmouth

EXMOUTH TOWN 3-0 TOTNES & DARTINGTON

Exmouth strolled to yet another comfortable victory against their visitors in the South West Peninsular Division One this afternoon. The two sides had met twice this season already - a 4-0 Exmouth league win in Totnes and a 5-1 home thrashing by Town in the cup.

Heavy pre-match rain looked to disrupt attacking intent today, but Totnes could easily have taken the lead in the opening minute of the game - just missing an open goal from a tight angle.

Exmouth too provided some early warnings, forcing numerous corners and a glancing Ace High header just over the bar. Their breakthrough did indeed come in the 19th minute. A good move was initially halted by the Totnes keeper but he could only parry the ball into Jamie Moore for a tap in.

The lead was swiftly doubled just six minutes later when the visitors from South Devon failed to clear from a corner, allowing in-form Dan Boere to grab his 13th goal in nine games.

Totnes then had several chances to half the deficit - the best of which falling to no.10 Danny Scapens-Feloy. After the break the home side continued pressing to seal victory, with High again coming close after an error from the Totnes keeper.

Just two minutes later, a fierce challenge from the away side's Chris Newson earnt him a yellow and gave Exmouth a free kick in a dangerous area, from which they grabbed their third goal from a ping-pong style ricochet in the box.

From here Exmouth looked comfortable, and they could have made it four with more chances falling to High and Lloyd Gardner. Totnes almost gained a consolation eight minutes from time, denied by a block on the line and then the post, but Exmouth maintained their clean sheet.

Totnes fall one place to 12th in the table but look safe. Meanwhile the Town are now eleven points clear at the top with a game in hand. Manager Richard Pears commented in his match notes on how hard his players have worked to produce results.

A treble is still on for Exmouth who look set to win the league comfortably and could even afford to rest key players to heighten their chances in two remaining cup competitions. Their array of attacking options was shown today despite having Ben Shephard suspended. A singular defeat of the season so far remains in the FA Vase to Sherborne Town in October.

Exmouth face Stoke Gabriel this Wednesday in the semis of the Devon Premier Cup at the neutral ground of Homer's Heath (Buckland Athletic).

ATTENDANCE: 41

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ace High

BY ROBBIE JENNINGS, AT SOUTHERN ROAD