Exmouth Town finally win at home in fight against relegation

When the sides met earlier in the season, the visitors won 5-0 and there was no indication after a goal-less first period that Town would go on to equal that score.

Exmouth had had a couple of half chances without really troubling the ‘keeper and, apart from a shout for a penalty, Larkhall were not imposing themselves on the game. They did, however, have the first real chance minutes into the second half when, having rounded Chris Wright, their forward could only hit the side netting.

Town were showing the necessary tenacity across all areas of the pitch, winning the majority of the 50/50 tackles, and took the lead following a free-kick in the 55th minute. A floated cross and Mike Landricombe jumped highest to divert the ball into the net.

Five minutes later, from an almost identical situation, Landricombe doubled the lead. On the 65th minute, it was Ace High’s turn to convert another free-kick with a strong header at the far post and he too repeated the trick with another excellent header three minutes later.

Four goals all from headers from set-pieces, how often does that happen?

As Town continued to dominate, Levi Landricombe smashed a 20-yard drive against the inside of the post but had to wait until the 85th minute to remind his brother that he was the goal scorer in the family with a 30-yard free-kick that proved too powerful for the overworked Larkhall ‘keeper.

The victory matched Town’s best ever win in Southern League football, their 5- 0 demolition of Frome Town last season, and also their first home clean sheet this season.

With Paulton Rovers losing 6-2 at Bishops Cleeve, Town are now only two points adrift of their Somerset rivals and have a far superior goal difference (14).

After the Tuesday trip to Bashley, another side in the bottom five, Exmouth have a pivotal game away at struggling Westbury on Saturday. Two fixtures on the road but both definitely winnable, and now is the time for Exmouth Town.