Jackson Vending
Devon & Exeter Premier
Exeter Civil Service 1
Hatherleigh Town 1
THIS result does not do justice to the performance put on by Hatherleigh.
The second half was dominated by them with some excellent football produced. Civil will feel they got out of jail with this point, as with better finishing Hatherleigh would have scored the five goals their football merited.
The game kicked off in blustery conditions on a heavy pitch and opening exchanges were even.
The home side struck first. An attack down the right resulted in an inswinging cross. The ball evaded everyone, including Hatherleigh goalie, Gary Toop, and dropped into the corner of the net.
The visitors got back on level terms through the pace of captain Stuart Dymond, Sam Woolacott played the ball forward and there was a race to meet it between Dymond and the Civil keeper.Dymond won it and calmly passed the ball into the unguarded goal.
Hatherleigh pressed forward now searching for a second goal and were stopped by some crude challenges which often went unpunished by a weak referee.
The best chances of the second half fell to Patrick Jones who could have had a hat-trick.
Dymond was denied a second by a last ditch defensive block and Harris shot from a tight angle with team-mates better placed.
A corner was punched clear to Pearson whose stinging volley was pushed around the post.
The home side?s rare attacks were dealt with by Jamie Bruce who had an outstanding match at the heart of the defence.
This Saturday sees a trip to Elmore where a similar display should see three points brought home.