Budleigh Reserves win without easing out of first gear.

exmouth.sport@archant.co.uk
17 September 2009

THE excellent start that Budleigh Reserves have made to the new season continued last Saturday with a comprehensive victory over Wellington at Greenway Lane.

With the lush green surface and the bright sunshine throughout, conditions were ideal for football but with five changes being made from the usual line-up it made for more of a workmanlike performance in which, to be fair, the side rarely needed to step out of first gear!

Simon Rose was forced to go off early on and his injury was worst than first feared with the news after the match that he had fractured his eye socket.

Scott Howarth raced clear with the first real chance for Budleigh and was brought down by the keeper after going around him and much to the surprise of the Budleigh fans no penalty was given. Wayne Rowsell made two fantastic saves in the Budleigh goal and his long kick released Howarth again and when he was brought down again the referee pointed to the spot.

With normal penalty taker Rose off Craig Higham stepped up to take it and the keeper saved with Higham heading in the rebound. Higham scored again five minutes later with a cool finish from a tight angle.

Then 16-year-old Daniel Reynold's capped a fine personal display with a good strike through a crowded goal area to take the Robins into the break with a 3-0 lead.

In the second half Budleigh always looked the more likely to score with Rowsell rarely called into action and Sam Bird proving a real hand full out wide.

The victory leaves Budleigh third in the early season table and, with a return trip to Wellington next week, and captain Rich Higham returning from injury, hopefully another good performance will follow.

Man of the Match was a close call this week but eventually went to Wayne Rowsell who just shaded Craig Higham for the honour.