Having been amongst the front-runners in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South for a long time, a loss of form during the final months of the season threatened to end Exmouth Town’s play-off hopes.
Going into the final weekend of the regular season, they sat just outside the top five knowing that even if they won their final game, they had to rely on events elsewhere.
In the end, a commanding 4-0 away win at Larkhall Athletic - their fourth win and fourth clean sheet in a row - combined with Mousehole’s failure to beat Melksham Town, saw them grab the final play-off spot in dramatic fashion, pipping their Cornish rivals by two points.
It has set up a play-off semi-final at runners-up Evesham United on Wednesday evening.
“This is the perfect way to secure our play-off place,” said Luke Steer. “It means that we go into Wednesday’s semi-final with momentum and on a high after jumping back into the top five on the last day, whereas our opponents will be licking their wounds having failed to take the title.
“We knew that we had to win our final four games of the season to stand any chance, but to do it by scoring 12 and not conceding any is a fantastic achievement.
“At half-time on Saturday we heard that Mousehole were losing, but then you go back out on the pitch and you’re not sure what’s going on. All you can do is focus on doing your job and making sure that we got the win we needed.
“When we heard the final score from the Mousehole game, the atmosphere in our dressing room was fantastic.
“We’re under no illusions about the task in hand. It certainly won’t be easy against a strong and physical Evesham side who pushed Yate Town all the way for the title, but we’ll go there with confidence.
“We played them at their place recently and came away with a point from a goalless draw, but we were unlucky not to win that day.
“There’s a feeling that we’ve hit form just at the right time. We’re scoring goals from all over the pitch and looking extremely solid at the back. Hopefully we can take this momentum into Wednesday and see where it takes us.
“Personally, I’ve learned so much this season and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of adapting to Southern League football after a couple of great years playing for the University of Exeter. I had a good spell at Tavistock AFC earlier in the season and then since joining Exmouth in January, I’ve continued to kick-on.
“Pearsey, Hilly, and Rollo have been absolutely top-class with me. The changing room is a great environment to be part of and this group has already created history by securing the highest finish the club has ever had in the football pyramid.
“It’s been a fantastic season and now we have the chance to make it even more special.
“The support from the Mufftown Casuals, both home and away, has been unbelievable, and with home crowds regularly around or over the 300 mark, it’s been something I’ve absolutely loved playing in front of. It’s made a huge difference to the whole team and we need them with us on Wednesday.
“I think the League this year has been incredibly close and competitive; there’s definitely been a sense that anyone could beat anyone on their day. In the end, Yate were deserved winners, but the tightness of the table, especially in the race for the play-offs, says it all.
“Now we’re fully focused on Wednesday and hoping to cap off a great Southern League season by winning the play-offs.”
Wednesday evening’s play-off semi-final fixtures are, as follows:
Premier South: AFC Totton v Dorchester Town | Walton & Hersham v Gloucester City
Premier Central: Kettering Town v Harborough Town | AFC Telford United v Halesowen Town
Division One South: Evesham United v Exmouth Town | Bishops Cleeve v Malvern Town
Division One Central: Berkhamsted v Hadley | Flackwell Heath v Barton Rovers
IMAGE: Exmouth Town FC
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