Exmouth Town completed their 2023/24 season with a trip to Mousehole last Tuesday evening, writes John Dibsdall.

A 250-mile round trip was not the ideal way to finish off a season that has, in recent weeks, been an incredible journey that ironically started in Cornwall with a trip to Falmouth in the FA Cup.

In many ways, the Mousehole game epitomised Town’s season.

They have shown throughout that there is quality in the side and they are able to compete with the best in the league but all too often have failed to complete the task before them.

With only Tom Gardner and Merson Ham missing from the squad, Town started well, maintained the pressure and deservedly opened the scoring. A fine cross from Ace High, an excellent control and lay-off from Ben Steer and a calm finish into the bottom corner by Aarron Denny after 33 minutes.

Ahead at the break, Exmouth were pegged back within a minute of the restart with a 25-yard shot finding the corner of the net. The hosts were clearly now in the ascendency and chasing the end of season promotion play-off places, they added further goals in the 56th, 60th and 86th minutes to win their fourth consecutive game.

On the plus side, Sam Haynes started a match for the first time since January last year, when he and Dan Cullen both suffered injuries that has also seen Cullen miss the whole season.

For Town, this was the 16th game they have led this season but have failed to go on and secure victory, losing eleven and drawing five.

Wins over Wimborne in the FA Trophy and at Bashley and home to Willand Rovers are the only occasions where we have come from conceding the opening goal to go on and win.

The plans are to increase the Southern League Division One South to 22 clubs next season with two being promoted from the Western League.

Helston are the Champions and will be joined by either Falmouth, Bridgwater, Cleveland or Barnstaple, who will contest the play-offs. Details of the formation of the new league should be published in May.