Match Report: Exmouth Town 1-1 Hartpury FC

Exmouth Town battled to a 1-1 draw against Hartpury, in what was a competitive Southern League Division One South affair, at the Search4Local Stadium.

Ben Steer opened the scoring after just three minutes, but the visitors fought back through a Noah Coates goal, and neither side were able to find the winner in the second half.

It was an electric start for Town, as a long ball was flicked on by Matt Wright, into the path of Tom Chastey, with his pass perfect for Steer, who finished confidently into the bottom corner.

Hartpury would push their way back into the game, as a quick free-kick caught the hosts asleep, with Wonnacott alert to make the save.

That inadvertently started a counter-attack, with a case of Deja-vu struck for Town, with the forward getting a similar chance minutes later, but Seth Locke read it well.

The Acorns would find a leveller, as they glided through the Town midfield before a long-shot was saved, falling directly to Coates who tapped in from close range.

Exmouth looked to get back ahead from kick off, as a nice move saw space open for Steer on the edge of the box, but the finish was wayward.

The forward was involved in all of Town’s attacking opportunities during the first half, even getting on the end of set-pieces, with a near-post header floating just wide.

Hartpury were able to force another stop from the Town goalkeeper, as brilliant through ball teed up Billy Osborn, but Wonnacott was out early to prevent a goal.

The visitors would start stronger in the second half, with Ollie Knowles doing well to prevent a counter-attack from becoming lethal.

A deflected long-shot led to a corner that caused complete chaos in the Town box, with it eventually being cleared by Knowles.

It was the away side who looked more likely to score, with a miscommunication between the Town backline leading to a good chance, but Wonnacott recovered well to save.

Exmouth would follow-up with their best chance of the second 45, as Ethan Slater won the ball back in midfield, and set Steer through, but after rounding the goalkeeper, his effort was cleared away by Drew Robinson.

Hartpury would have a great chance of their own soon after, as Osborn was sent through on goal, and despite receiving a late challenge from Knowles, his chipped effort had too much back-spin and bounced away from goal.

The hosts would press for a winner, as the Acorns stood firm by blocking four consecutive attempts on goal, which was followed up by a quick break, with Wonnacott denying them a winner.

Morgan Ewing would cause a problem down the right-hand side, before squaring across goal, but a close range effort flew over the bar.

Town would have their own opportunity to win the game, with a floated cross finding Wright at the back post, whose header went over the bar.

It was a good game of football at the Search4Local Stadium, with both teams looking to take all three points, but having to settle for one each.

Another busy week awaits, as Town travel to Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday in the Devon Bowl, before heading to Hungerford in the Southern League Division One South.