After a week without a game Exmouth Town’s attentions now turn to the FA Trophy when they welcome Kidlington FC to their Complete Infrastructure stadium this Saturday.

The clubs met at the same stage of the competition last season when Town travelled to the Oxfordshire side and lost 2-1 having squandered a number of chances, including a penalty.

Under the rules of the competition if the sides are level at full time then extra time will be played and if necessary penalties. The winners of the tie will receive £1500.00 and the losers £400.00.

Kidlington have not made the best of starts to their Southern League Division One Central season having lost their opening three games but shared the points in a 1-1 draw last Saturday. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup 4-0 by Yate Town who ended Town’s unbeaten start to their league season with a 1-0 victory on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Town welcomed back Tom Bath, Ollie Knowles and Dave Rowe to their starting line-up but were still without five regulars. Whilst the hosts had the majority of the play they were in the main restricted to long range efforts as Town were solid, well organised and content to soak up the pressure.

The only goal came on fifty eight minutes from an excellent cross and well placed header. Again young goalkeeper Frankie Phillips was on top form and whilst he could do little to prevent the goal his handling was excellent and several fine saves kept Town in with a chance but they too faced a resolute defence and failed to find an equaliser. The win maintained Yate’s 100% start to the season and they are justifying their early tab as favourites to win the league title.

For Town they now have seven points from their opening four games, three away and only Thatcham at home whilst in contrast last season they only had six points from their first sixteen games.

With the exception of Jack Thorne, still recovering from his dislocated knee, Town should welcome back the players that missed the Bank Holiday games and have a full squad to choose from for the FA Trophy tie.

With Willand Rovers beating Town’s conquerors Brixham in the FA Cup on Saturday the scheduled home match with Willand on September 14th will be postponed and Town will look now look to re-arrange a fixture.