On a day when non-league football was decimated by the weather, Exmouth Town’s pitch held up well and the home supporters in a crowd of 379 were treated to battling performance throughout the side that secured all three points against promotion contenders Tavistock.
After a nervous opening, Exmouth took the game to Tavistock with Ben Steer enjoying great success in his endeavours down Town’s left wing.
The decisive goal came from his driven cross on 16 minutes, which was turned into the net for an own goal. Six minutes later and another Steer cross may have been heading for the back of the net but an Ace High header diverted the ball over the bar.
As Steer continued to torment his marker, he saw his next effort cleared off the line. With the League’s leading goal scorer, Liam Prynn, leading their line, Tavistock were always dangerous and Exeter City loanee Joe O’Connor forced Chris Wright into a sprawling save before Prynn latched on to the rebound but was denied first by Tom Gardner and then Jordan Casey.
When Aarron Denny was brought down in the penalty area, captain Dave Rowe took the responsibility but saw his spot kick turned around the post by an excellent save.
The second half continued in a similar vein with the Sponsor’s, A1 Aerials, man of the match Callum Shipton seeing his shot blocked before Steer shot narrowly pass the far post.
The nearest Town came to doubling their lead was a Steer cross headed on by High for Karl Riddell to head against the foot of the post.
As Tavistock increased the pressure, Town’s defence stood firm with Rowe seemingly first to every ball. With limited opportunities, O’Connor shot narrowly wide and Wright had to make one crucial save to deny Oscar Massey as Town ended a nine-match winless run and their first clean sheet since their 5-0 win over Frome Town at the end of January.
This Easter weekend is a double header with Town travelling to sixth in the table Bashley on Saturday before welcoming Devon rivals Bideford to the Circle of Care Community Stadium on Easter Monday, kick off 3pm.
The North Devon side are currently four points clear of the relegation play-off positions with games in hand over their rivals.
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