Jackson Vending Devon & Exeter Premier

Hatherleigh Town 4

Elmore 0

WITH regulars Simon Pearson and Matty Adams away for the weekend, Hatherleigh were forced to make changes. Jamie Bruce and Steve Cleave were paired together at centre back with Paul Endacott moving into midfield.

On a heavy pitch passing was always going to be difficult and the game started off a bit scrappy. Elmore almost took the lead when a long clearance left a striker through on goal. The shot was well struck but to the relief of the home side it came back off the crossbar.

The opening goal came when Paul Harris charged down a defensive clearance. The ball dropped in front of Simon James, who carried it forward and struck a left foot shot past the Elmore keeper.

At half-time, home manager Bert Heaman tore into his players and asked for a better display.

Elmore came out for the second half determined to equalise, but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Gary Toop kept them out.

A break from Vernon on the right won a corner which he took himself. His cross found James in the six-yard box, who had the simple task of nodding the ball home.

The third goal came from an unlikely source. A cross was cleared to the edge of the penalty box. From here Endacott struck the ball powerfully and when it came back off the bar James played it back to Endacott who struck another clean shot into the far corner for his first of the season.

Goal number four came with just a few minutes remaining and gave the scoreline a flattering look. James found himself through on goal and a sweet finish saw him complete his second hat-trick in three games.

This Saturday sees a tough away fixture at high flying Cullompton Rangers.