A superb first half performance saw Exmouth Town beat Swindon Supermarine 3-2 at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

Exmouth came into this game looking to end a run of three without a win, and boosted by return of last season’s top goal scorer Tom Bath, they were able to claim all three points in the Southern League Division One South.

Town dominated the first half, scoring three goals in the first half and despite a second half Swindon Supermarine comeback, the hosts managed to get over the line to claim all three points. 

Town broke the deadlock after ten minutes, good work from Ben Steer down the left-hand side, who cut the ball back to Bath. 

His first shot was cleared off the line before he slotted home the rebound from close range. Bath’s first goal on his return was to be expected. 

Town dominated the early stages of the game, and in particular Steer was very productive down the left wing. 

Supermarine had virtually none of the ball in the first half, their main attacking threat came through long throws, although even then they were unable to trouble Aaron Dearing in the Town goal. 

Ethan Slater came to getting a second for Town, a slick passing move was poked just wide, whilst an Ollie Knowles free-kick heading to the bottom right-hand corner was kept out by Lucas Myers. 

Bath came close to getting his second of the game, a great ball from Jacob Shore, near the halfway line, was headed wide. 

Having knocked on the door for the entirety of the first half, Town’s lead was finally doubled by Steer.

An Ethan Slater pass, perhaps a shot, was turned in at the back post by Steer. 

He grabbed his second of the game following a great flick on from Steer to Morcom, whose cross was cleared back to him. His second ball into the box was headed home from close range. 

Supermarine came out of the half time break with a point to prove, perhaps after receiving some stern words at half time.

Shouts for a penalty ten minutes into the first half was waved away by the referee, Abubakar going down in the box between two Town players, with the referee waving protests away.

Joseph Owiti’s hard work off the ball almost played dividends, as he had a good effort cleared off the line. 

Town looked to have regained control, until  Joshua Blyth headed home from a corner to give his side some hope. 

Supermarine would have another opportunity to close the gap, this time from the spot. 

A Raphael Oppong penalty was stopped by Dearing, but the referee deemed he had come off his line. 

The retaken penalty, this on from Tawana Changa, was slotted home. The game finally finished in a Town win. 

Town’s side are back in action next week away at Frome Town, with our next home game being against Bideford on the 27th of December. 

Attendance: 215

Line-Up: Dearing, Morcom, Cann, Knowles, Shore, Landricombe, Shipton, Bath (High, 85’), Slater (Griffith, 75’), Denny, B. Steer (Butcher, 79’)

Subs Not Used: Wright, Riddell

Report written by Benjy Sainsbury