Exmouth Amateurs 1
Folly Gate 2
AFTER the disappointment of relegation to intermediate 2 it was vital that Folly Gate should start the season with a win.
Tim Shaw, a close-season signing from Okehampton, provided the goals with a degree of class that bodes well for the season.
The early signs were encouraging as Martin Brint and Andy Dennis took control of midfield with quick tackling and incisive passing. The pressure brought its reward when after 15 minutes a square ball inside the area from player-manager Shane Leahy was met clinically by Shaw with a low drive past the keeper.
As half time approached Exmouth came more into the game and although they lacked any real threat their general play was causing problems.
Injuries to Brian Welham and Martin Brint forced a re-shuffle, although the game continued in the same vein with Folly stretched as their defence retreated. One advantage of the enforced changes meant they had much needed pace in the form of Leahy who exchanged his striking role to assist his defence at left-back.
It was no great surprise, however, when Exmouth levelled the score.
With 20 minutes remaining Folly must have been hoping to secure an away point but they began to find more time and space ably exploited in particular by Andy Dennis. His forward runs were unsettling the home defence and with five minutes remaining he drifted into the area but appeared to over-hit his cross. Shaw however, who remained alert throughout, used this to his advantage, flipping the ball over one defender's head and shooting low across the keeper before the second defender could make his challenge.
Only the first league game of the season but an encouraging start with the spirit and endeavour epitomised by Steve Hooper, who appears to have overcome the injury problem from last season.
This Saturday home to Lympstone.