Exmouth Town were beaten 3-1 by Sidmouth Town in their first pre-season friendly, in the sweltering heat at Southern Road.

An early Tom Bath goal saw Town take the lead, but goals from Sam Stapleton, Jack Miller and Nathan Cooper saw the Western League side come out on top.

The hosts got off to a fast start, as the ball was sent through to Bath, and he wrong-footed the goalkeeper to slot into the bottom corner.

It was almost two in ten minutes for Exmouth, as the ball fell to Mike Landricombe at close range, but he struck the ball over the bar.

The visitors would start to grow into it, as their left-back hit the post from the edge of the box.

That pressure would continue to mount, and lead to an equaliser, as Stapleton turned the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

Town’s new shot-stopper Matt Wonnacott would be tested from range, as he was forced into a good stop just before half time.

As is expected in pre-season games, both sides would make a number of changes going into the second half, which changed the flow of the game.

A scrappy affair would follow, with Town struggling to keep possession in their first outing back.

It would be Sidmouth to strike next, as Jack Miller got a hold of the ball outside the box, and picked out the bottom left corner with a well-placed effort.

Town would spark into life after that, as a Joe Belsten free-kick was met by Landricombe inside the box, but his header was over the bar.

Kash Akingbade would be next to come close, as some good movement opened up space for an effort, which was well-saved by the Sidmouth goalkeeper.

Sidmouth would wrestle back some control, and it was a familiar face who scored the third and final goal of the evening, as Cooper fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Town will continue their Southern League Division One South preparations on Saturday, as they face a potential FA Cup opponent in Liskeard Athletic, at Lux Park.

Attendance: 184

Squad List: Matt Wonnacott, Freddie Lamar, Iestyn Harris, Josh Cann, Dylan Cross, Dave Rowe, Mike Landricombe, Alex Kraus, Callum Shipton, Joe Belsten, Andrew Ellis, Kash Akingbade, Alex Cairo, Ace High, Alex Battle, Tom Bath, Matt Wright.