What a difference 12 months makes. This time last year, Exmouth Town were struggling at the foot of the Pitching In Southern League Division One South table, now they are amongst the early leading pack having ended Yate Town’s 100% start to their League campaign with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.
We asked both Ben Griffith, who scored their second goal at the weekend, and Joe Belsten, whether they have been surprised by the start that their team has made to the season?
“Not at all,” replied Griffith without hesitation. “We put in some good performances throughout pre-season and it’s been clear since then that the team has knitted together really well.
“We’ve had some good results so far and long may it continue.”
Belsten agreed: “There has been a real buzz around the club since pre-season. We recruited well over the summer and the target was to get off to a solid start and then take things from there, which has been the case so far.”
Three wins and a draw sees the Devon outfit sit on ten points after five games, with Saturday’s success sending out a clear message to the rest of the division that they mean business.
“It was a great result for us at the weekend,” added Griffith. “Everyone worked their socks off and stuck together; we were hard to break down and looked lively when we got the ball in their final third.
“We’ve started the season positively and we’re playing well, so if we can keep doing this, then we’re going to enjoy what’s to come over the weeks and months ahead.
“It’s always a tight League and it looks as though it’s going to be the same again this time around. There are plenty of teams who will fancy their chances of being involved in the play-offs.
“We’ll be fighting to finish as high as we can and I’ll be looking to contribute with as many goals as possible to help in this. It was nice to get my name on the scoresheet at the weekend, particularly as the goal doubled our lead and gave us a bit of breathing space.”
Belsten was particularly impressed with Yate Town.
“We’ve played them twice now already this season,” he continued. “In my opinion, they are the best side that I’ve come up against since I have been at this level, so to beat them on Saturday was a great result for us and shows what we are capable of.
“We played a much more attacking style against them at the weekend, and that suits us. We’re in a great place as a group, playing some neat football with real confidence.
“I’m really enjoying my football right now and the way the team plays is perfect for me. This level is so competitive and open, it’s exciting to see what we can go on and achieve.
“We went into the season aiming for the play-offs and our performances since then has only added fuel to the fire in what we can achieve.
“Hopefully I can keep making a contribution with as many assists as possible and maybe even chip in with a goal or two along the way!”
It’s a break from League action at the weekend as they host Horndean in the second round qualifying of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
IMAGE: Exmouth Town AFC
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