Honiton Town v Ilfracombe Town
In recent encounters with Ilfracombe we have had torrential rain and snow, so it was nice to welcome the North Devon club to a bright and sunny Mountbatten Park. Where a good size crowd were there to witness this SWPL fixture.

It was always going to be a tough task for The Hippos to get 3 points against what many people see the favourites for the league. The Hippos were still without their injured Captain, Elliot Dyer, and talisman Ben Ede was also not available. Town did welcome Jacob Rowe to the team who made his Honiton Town debut. Luke Ashford captain the Hippos in the absence of Dyer.

Ilfracombe showed their intent early on having forced a corner and several shots within the first five minutes. They opened their account after a squared ball from the wings only had to be slotted past Town’s keeper, so the visitors took the lead after only 9 minutes.

Town tried to breakdown the visitors defence, but they were a well oiled unit that gave the Hippos very little chances to find an opportunity to find that equaliser.

However it was Ilfracombe whose name was next on the score sheet, when a superb long throw was hurled into the box. The visitors captain won the ariel battle between his own player and Rooke and a glancing header found the bottom corner of Town’s goal.

So Town came out in the second half with it all to do, but it was the visitors who added to their tally in the 51st minute when they added their third goal. It was an excellent finish with a curling chip that left a Ashford with little hope.

Player manager, Doble, did try and shake it up on the hour mark, bringing himself and Nat Newton off, with replacements Andy Issac and Billy Knox coming on.

Town did pull back a goal in the 81st minute when a Lewis Harvey corner found its way to Rooke on the edge of the box, who fired home.

Hippos hopes of a comeback were immediately dashed when Ilfracombe restored their 3 goal lead straight from the kickoff. They added their 5th in injury time to run out 5-1 winners.

While Town will not be happy with the result, they were playing a well drilled team that played some delightful football and will certainly be up in the mix when the league is decided at the end of the season.

Town will dust themselves down and prepare for their match at Elmore on Wednesday night, 7.30 kick off.

Honiton Town FC

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