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Plymstock United 3, Exmouth Town 0

A hard bumpy pitch was not conducive to free flowing football, but Town put in another competent shift to maintain their unbeaten SWPL record, writes John Dibsdall.

Despite the efforts of defeating Stoke Gabriel in the quarter finals of the Throgmorton Cup on Wednesday evening Town were quickly into their stride and Dan Boere could have done better with a close range effort from an Andrew Thomson cross.

Town then needed a fine save from Liam Jones to deny the hosts but on twelve minutes Boere hit a magnificent thirty yard drive that flew in off the underside of the bar, his eleventh goal in his last seven games!

With neither side able to string many passes together because of the uneven surface chances were limited but Town increased their lead on fifty one minutes. Having been brought down in the box Ben Shephard picked himself up and lashed home from the penalty spot. For the remainder of the half Town were rarely troubled and added a third in the closing minutes when Shephard set up Matt Dawson.

The only downside on the day was a hamstring injury to Phil Everett that may see the veteran defender sidelined for a few weeks. On the injury front Jamie Moore is almost back to full fitness but it is unlikely that Kerry Butler will be feature again this season as he looks to recover from his ligament injury.

Next up is a home game this Saturday against Totnes and Dartington kick off 3pm. Town have already defeated “The Tots” twice this season although the visitors have found some form of late including 4-1 victories over Alphington and Axminster.

The semi-final line up for the Throgmorton Cup has seen Town paired with Elburton Villa who are currently riding high in third place in the Premier Division. The tie will take place on April 3, at Bovey Tracey.

The league have eased the fixture congestion for Town by moving the Appledore away game to Wednesday, May 1 (6.45pm).