[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a highly competitive game played on Saturday afternoon, Manor Farm earned an important point against Exmouth Town, writes Jack Davies.
Jayden Nielsen had won back-to-back player of the match awards for Farm and had the game’s first chance here. He made himself space and cracked a sliced volley just wide. Exmouth’s first chance fell to Dean Billingsley, but Farm keeper Ben John was out very smartly to smother. Owen Howe was a man in real form and once he’d put one chance just wide, he made no mistake just before the break. Returning skipper Jake Gosling beat several home players before sliding through to his number nine, who made it seven goals in his last six games. The first half drama wasn’t over yet, however. John with another incredible save from point-blank range to deny David Rowe before an offside flag halted Exmouth celebrations in first-half stoppage time.
Farm pressed on looking for a second early in the second half. Gosling’s tricky feet resulted in him having space to fire just wide before Frankie Artus fired his own effort off-target. Exmouth grabbed an equaliser 15 minutes from time. Ben Steer sent in a teasing wide free kick and Mark Lever’s glancing header nestled the ball into the far corner for parity in Devon. Much like last week against Sholing, despite being happy with a point, Farm were left wondering what could have been after late chances came and went. Howe was inevitably involved in both late efforts here. He saw his first goal bound effort blocked on the line before he fired wide at the back post with just minutes left on the clock.
STAR MAN – George Fowler[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]