The gates were closed at Exmouth Town football club at the weekend. Photo by Terry Ife ref exsp 6038-52-12TI

Exmouth Town have arranged a mid-week friendly with Evo Stik Southern League (SW) Division side Tiverton Town.

The match will be played at Southern Road on Wednesday, January 9 with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Town boss Richard Pears explained the reasons for the game saying: “I felt it really necessary that we get some much needed game time under our belts after such a long lay-off. I know we have the Saturday game with Dartington and Totnes, but I wanted more – training is all very week, but you cannot beat actual competitive game time and I am, very grateful to Tiverton Town boss Mark Saunders for agreeing to come to us and bring his full first team squad. It’s a really good opportunity for us to test ourselves against real quality opposition.”

Four days after the Tiverton Town friendly Southern Road will stage the Eastern Division game with Alphington at Southern Road (Saturday, January 12).