A solid all-round team performance was the key to Exmouth Town’s 2-0 success at Tavistock last Saturday, writes John Dibsdall.

This was not only Town’s first victory of 2024 but also their first clean sheet of the season, their first league win at their Devon rivals since 2016 and successive victories away from home following on from their 4-2 win at Evesham before Christmas.

Town were in the ascendency from the first whistle without creating any clear-cut chances but any attempts on goal failed to trouble the ‘keeper. For their part, any attempts by the hosts were also generally high and wide.

A free-kick from Josh Cann brought a decent save but the goal that Town deserved arrived four minutes before the break. Ben Steer found Tom Bath in space and he calmly passed the ball beyond the advancing ‘keeper into the far corner of the goal.

Tavistock came out for the second half with more intent and it needed one superb save from Chris Wright to turn away a deflected shot that seemed destined for the top corner to preserve the slender lead.

As Town grew into the half, the play became a bit of a stalemate but that changed in the 72nd minute. Aarron Denny’s trickery was too much for the defender who brought him down with the referee immediately pointing to the penalty spot.

Having missed their last four penalties in the league, including the home game against Tavistock, Bath took responsibility and fired home into the bottom corner to double the lead.

Whilst Tavistock committed more men to attack, Town were resilient and disciplined in defence and held on to another welcome victory and three important points.

This Saturday, Town welcome Bishops Cleeve to their Circle of Care Stadium. Town won the reverse fixture 4-1 but the Cheltenham based-side warmed up for this game with a resounding 6-1 defeat of Melksham Town and are currently sixth in the league.

Town will welcome back Louis Morison from suspension but may be without Josh Cann, who suffered a hamstring injury at Tavistock.

Town will also be in action at Newton Abbot Spurs in the quarter-finals of the St Lukes Bowl next Wednesday evening when Levi Landricombe may be fit to play if his broken hand has fully healed.