Exmouth Town have started pre-season training in preparation for their eight friendlies that have been arranged, writes John Dibsdall.

The first of the friendlies is a trip to Bristol this Saturday (July 6) to play Western League side Hallen and this is followed by a home fixture on Tuesday, July 9 against Plymouth Parkway, kick off 7.30pm.

Town last played Hallen in the curtailed 2020/21 season, when goals from Max Gillard, Jordan Harris and Callum Shipton gave them a 3-2 victory on October 24, 2020 before the season was brought to a premature end in the December due to Covid.

Exmouth have met Plymouth Parkway on numerous occasions in both the South-West Peninsula League and Western League, although again the last time they met was in the 2020/21 season, when they lost 2-0 away on September 9.

Parkway were promoted to the Southern League for the 2021/22 season and then gained promotion to the Premier Division, so the sides have not met in the Southern League.

All the friendlies will be excellent opportunities for Town’s joint managers, Kevin Hill and Dave Pearse, to evaluate their extended squad with six new signings to add competition for places for the forthcoming Southern League season, where the fixtures are expected to be released on Friday, July 12.

Town have received confirmation of their acceptance into the FA Cup and FA Trophy. The draw for both competitions is expected to be known on Friday, July 5, with Town likely to feature in the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, August 3. The preliminary round ties in the Trophy to be played on Saturday, August 24.

Last season, Town lost 2-1 at Falmouth in the cup but overcame Wimborne Town, eventual league champions, 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out after a thrilling 3-3 draw in normal time before losing 2-1 away to Oxfordshire side Kidlington in the Trophy.