After an enforced seven-week break, Exmouth Town returned to Western League action with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bath based Odd Down FC.
Once again, the Southern Road pitch stood up well to the recent poor weather and, whilst heavy, it was perfectly playable and a credit to all the club volunteers for their hard work.
It was particularly enjoyable to see 190 spectators inside Southern Road and they enjoyed a fine performance in what has turned out to be the final game of 2020.
Town started this game very much in the ascendency and after Ben Steer had an effort cleared off the line in the opening minute, they went ahead after six minutes with Dan Cullen heading home from a corner for his second goal of the campaign.
Steer continued to cause problems and had another effort well saved before Mark Lever doubled Town’s advantage, heading home from another Steer corner five minutes before the half-time interval, his fifth of the season.
Town continued to dominate in the second half with Ace High going close and the visitors were reduced to ten men after a defender was shown a second yellow card for pulling back Jordan Harris.
Town’s leading goal scorer was then brought down by the visiting glovesman before picking himself up and scoring from the resulting penalty his thirteenth in all competitions.
The win has taken Town up to third in the table with 21 points, one behind Tavistock, both having played 11 games, with Plymouth Parkway clear on 35 points from 13 games played.
Town were due to play Buckland Athletic on Boxing Day but their Devon opponents had their FA Vase match yesterday against Tavistock postponed and the game is now scheduled for next Saturday.
Town were also due to travel to Cadbury Heath on Monday but the north Bristol side remain in Tier 3 and the game is therefore postponed.
While it is a frustrating, if not unexpected end to 2020, manager Kevin Hill will be very happy with the win over Odd Down, especially after conceding that his side occasionally fails to reach their normal high standards against unfancied opposition.