I went to watch an F.A.Cup match last night.
Exmouth Town had travelled to Yate Town at the weekend and earned a 2-2 draw which entitles them to a replay. I figured that Yate who are in the Southern League could produce a good account of themselves but they were now away and Exmouth are a competent Western League team that earned promotion last season from the South West Peninsula League.
On this occasion I left in time to reach a cashpoint machine, park my car securely and walk to the ground at Southern Road in Exmouth. There was a larger than usual crowd outside as I drove past and when I walked back they had made their way into the ground and were all around it. Most of the time there is room on one side for everybody.
When the match started it seemed to be a faster pace than I was expecting. Yate Town dominated possession but Exmouth were putting the tackles in and were good for the draw at half time. No goals but plenty of excitement and the Exmouth keeper seemed to have gloves with superglue on. Nothing went astray and everything stuck when he went for it. A fantastic shot from one of the Yate players was dipping just under the crossbar but it was tipped over for a corner. Inspiring keeping.
The second half was different but not for lack of pace. Every Exmouth player chased down the Yate men and the Exmouth defence remained solid even when the corners came in. I think all bar two headers saw the ball ejected from the penalty area and the two that went in the direction of the goal disappeared over the top. Nearer the end of the match shot after shot from Yate went high and wide including all of the free kicks that the referee seemed keen to award.
Exmouth scored early in the second half and I did feel sorry for the Yate keeper as he was abandoned and left to fend for himself against two Exmouth men. The goal was scored from what seemed like a difficult and narrow angle.
The second goal calmed the Exmouth team and they worked a disciplined seven back and three up with the midfield never tiring and ensuring that the forwards were provided with several decent chances.
This was an Exmouth that I have never seen before and if that is the standard of Southern League football then I need to seek it out.
The mood in the ground was positive but then it always is when you are winning.
I passed a fellow fan leaving the ground who suggested that Exmouth should have won by more than two goals but I have seen enough football to know that Yate provided stern opposition and on another night could well have won. The Exmouth team deserve every praise for this win.
So, as a minnow, that concludes the Extra Preliminary Round and the Preliminary Round. We now go on to the First Qualifying Round. Another four wins and we might get to face a team from the Football League. Bring it on!
Exmouth Town had travelled to Yate Town at the weekend and earned a 2-2 draw which entitles them to a replay. I figured that Yate who are in the Southern League could produce a good account of themselves but they were now away and Exmouth are a competent Western League team that earned promotion last season from the South West Peninsula League.
On this occasion I left in time to reach a cashpoint machine, park my car securely and walk to the ground at Southern Road in Exmouth. There was a larger than usual crowd outside as I drove past and when I walked back they had made their way into the ground and were all around it. Most of the time there is room on one side for everybody.
When the match started it seemed to be a faster pace than I was expecting. Yate Town dominated possession but Exmouth were putting the tackles in and were good for the draw at half time. No goals but plenty of excitement and the Exmouth keeper seemed to have gloves with superglue on. Nothing went astray and everything stuck when he went for it. A fantastic shot from one of the Yate players was dipping just under the crossbar but it was tipped over for a corner. Inspiring keeping.
The second half was different but not for lack of pace. Every Exmouth player chased down the Yate men and the Exmouth defence remained solid even when the corners came in. I think all bar two headers saw the ball ejected from the penalty area and the two that went in the direction of the goal disappeared over the top. Nearer the end of the match shot after shot from Yate went high and wide including all of the free kicks that the referee seemed keen to award.
Exmouth scored early in the second half and I did feel sorry for the Yate keeper as he was abandoned and left to fend for himself against two Exmouth men. The goal was scored from what seemed like a difficult and narrow angle.
The second goal calmed the Exmouth team and they worked a disciplined seven back and three up with the midfield never tiring and ensuring that the forwards were provided with several decent chances.
This was an Exmouth that I have never seen before and if that is the standard of Southern League football then I need to seek it out.
The mood in the ground was positive but then it always is when you are winning.
I passed a fellow fan leaving the ground who suggested that Exmouth should have won by more than two goals but I have seen enough football to know that Yate provided stern opposition and on another night could well have won. The Exmouth team deserve every praise for this win.
So, as a minnow, that concludes the Extra Preliminary Round and the Preliminary Round. We now go on to the First Qualifying Round. Another four wins and we might get to face a team from the Football League. Bring it on!
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