Exmouth Town away to local rivals Sidmouth Town on Saturday. Photo by Terry Ife ref exsp 7519-06-13TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

Sidmouth Town 1, Exmouth Town 2

Exmouth Town completed half of their league fixtures with a narrow 2-1 victory over East Devon rivals Sidmouth Town to maintain their unbeaten record this season, writes John Dibsdall.

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With all their leading opponents dropping points this result leaves Town eight points clear at the top of the table.

Whilst full credit must go to the Sidmouth ground staff for working tirelessly to ensure this match went ahead a heavy sloping pitch combined with a swirling blustery wind was not conducive to free flowing football.

To the credit of both sides they produced an entertaining game with the result in doubt until the final whistle.

Town should have had this game won by half time. A searching cross from Adam Fowler had Town players queuing up at the far post but Phil Everett blazed his shot over the crossbar. When Everett did find the net his ‘goal’ was over ruled by the assistant’s flag to the bewilderment of Town’s players and supporters alike.

On thirty nine minutes an Alex Greening strike had goal written all over it but for a fantastic goal line clearance, but Town were not to be denied and from the resulting corner Dan Boere headed Town into the lead.

On sixty nine minutes Town added their second when a long cross was headed down by Ace High for Lloyd Gardner to volley home. Sam Woodin then headed against the bar before Sidmouth’s Sam Baker waltzed through three ineffective tackles to reduce the deficit. As Town looked to re-impose their superiority Matt Dawson saw his shot hit the post.

Whilst there would be few arguments that Town deserved their win all credit must go to a Sidmouth side that battled throughout the ninety minutes and with just a little more composure in front of goal could have secured a result that would have made people sit up and take notice.

Town were without the services of Jamie Moore who had suffered a serious knee injury in Town’s midweek friendly at Evo Stick Premier side Weymouth Town. Town lost a very entertaining friendly 1-0 refereed by former Town player Martin Underhay.

Thanks to the prompt attention and expertise of Town’s physio, Emma Prior and her Weymouth counterpart, Jamie should be back playing before the end of the season.

Next up for Town is Saturday’s home game against form side Galmpton United (3pm).

Whilst their opponents were surprisingly beaten 5-4 by Alphington last week they had previously won seven games on the bounce including a 5-1 victory over Stoke Gabriel who, I believe, will be Town’s closest challengers at the end of the season.