East Budleigh 3, Exeter ST 1 D&E Senior One East Budleigh showed great resilience to come from a goal down and collect all three points.

East Budleigh 3, Exeter ST 1 D&E Senior One East Budleigh showed great resilience to come from a goal down and collect all three points.

Budleigh began the game well with their best opportunities coming from set plays. Successive Dave Radford corners in the first 10 minutes saw Phil Thomas and Dave Cockayne go close.

The visitors gradually gained a foothold in the game and Budleigh keeper Nathan Hadley was called upon to make a couple of smart saves to keep them at bay.

After 20 mintues Phil Page was inches from a final touch after Luke Kelsall and Cockayne had created the chance. Moments later, the creative Richard Thompson picked out Cockayne, whose first-time chip was comfortably held.

Thompson and Cockayne were again involved as Spencer West had an effort blocked.

The visitors were awarded a penalty on the half hour that was duly dispatched to give them the lead.

Budleigh came back fighting. Thompson saw the St Thomas keeper save low to his left following good approach play from West and the hard-working Colin Jeans.

Budleigh's persistence paid off three minutes before half-time and it was no surprise that Thompson and Cockayne set up West to nod in the equaliser.

The initiative after the re-start was now with the home side, who controlled the second half. In the 57th minute, Thomas found the back of the net, flicking a header past the visiting keeper from Radford's sweetly struck free-kick.

Twelve minutes later the game was up for the Exeter side when Jeans clipped a beautiful ball for Radford, who smartly headed into the roof of the net.

Budleigh peppered the visitors' goal without success late on, but will be happy with their all-round display.

Cockayne won the Man of the Match award, closely harried for it by Thompson.

This Saturday, Budleigh play the reverse match at St Thomas, kick-off 2.15pm.