Jackson Vending

Devon & Exeter Premier

Seaton Town 2

THIS was Hatherleigh's first league fixture without influential skipper Stuart Dymond, who recently joined Screwfix League side Torrington.

Seventeen-year-old Graham Bryant was promoted from the reserve side to fill the vacated space in midfield, and had an excellent 90 minutes.

Early exchanges were even, as both sides looked to play attacking football, with good chances falling to the strikers. Simon James put the ball in the net after 20 minutes, only for the linesman to flag for a fiercely contested use of the hand to control a superb cross from Neil Vernon.

This seemed to stir Seaton, and Hatherleigh found themselves pinned in their own half. A goalmouth scramble followed a corner, and the home side took the lead with a six-yard volley.

The second quickly followed, a superb 12-yard header placed into the bottom corner of the away side's net rounded off a swift counter-attack

Hatherleigh reshuffled at half-time, and played a 3-4-3 formation. Sixteen-year-old Daniel Timms was brought on up front. This formation forced Seaton to defend for the majority of the second half, without really looking like they were going to concede, as clear cut chances were few and far between.

'We are obviously going to miss a player of Stuart's ability and the enthusiasm he brings for each game that he plays in,' said chairman Roy Smith after the game, 'But he knows that he has the full support from our club and we wish him every success. It emphasises the strength of our club and coaching system that we have also recently been approached from higher league clubs for another two of our younger players.'

This Saturday home to Sidmouth Town, kick-off 2.30pm.