Exmouth United 7-2 Pink Panthers

Exmouth United gave a breathtaking display as they thrashed the Pink Panthers 7-2 at Exmouth Cricket Club. After just 5 minutes, Kuba Strzalkowski flicked a throw-in past his marker, rounded him and raced through on goal. With no hesitation he entered the box and coolly smashed the ball into the top corner. The second goal followed shortly, as Strzalkowski slotted a pass to Finn Glanfield who cleanly passed his left foot shot into corner of the net. Having just come on the pitch, Bryn Stephens delivered a sweet cross from the right wing which Strzalkowski met with a perfect volley to net his second. The United work-rate was superb and centre-backs Dylan Mogford and Harry Kifli-Reynolds snuffed out the Panthers attackers brilliantly.

Harry Bassett and Tom Price were rock solid at full back and both demonstrated excellent passing and awareness when linking up with the midfield. The next goal came when Strzalkowski, in an emphatic mood, dribbled through and jabbed the ball into the goal to bag his hatrick. Just before half-time the Panthers got a goal back but the first half clearly belonged to the home side, both in terms of possession and the scoreline.

The second-half began with more of the same. The ball was played to Strzalkowski who performed some wizardry to out-skill the defence, turning and running through on goal. On approaching the keeper he squared unselfishly to Jay Leballeur who slotted into an open net. The Panthers got a second after a goal-mouth scramble but United came straight back when Leballeur hit a venomous strike that shook the net giving the goalie no chance. 

Cayleb Field and Jack Greaves kept up the excellent defence whilst also pushing up to support the attack when they could and Lewis Alford was strong between the sticks. Exmouth kept up the relentless pressure and created numerous good chances throughout the second-half. Their outstanding passing and movement was exhilarating to watch. Two stand-out moments were a perfectly weighted left-footed through-ball from Seb Harrison and a wonderful reverse pass from Lewis Evans. The latter set up Exmouth's final goal, in which Stephens' shot was deflected in. This superb performance has elevated United up to third in the league. Long may it continue.

Exmouth United 7-0 Broadclyst

Strong, adventurous and united are apt words to describe the Under 12s performance against Broadclyst this Saturday. The home side demonstrated their hunger and passion by pressing the visitors throughout the match and making sure that their quality prevailed.

In an excellent team performance it was striker Cayleb Field that created the breakthrough when he received in the box and was fouled to win a penalty. He dispatched the spot kick and United were ahead. Next it was winger Owen Brady making the difference. First, he won a tackle in the box which Jack Greaves latched on to making it 2-0. Then Brady found midfield maestro Dylan Mogford who shot passed the keeper. Brady's Bolt-like pace down the right wing was a continued threat. It was almost four when Kuba Strzalkowski made a superb run and squared for Jay Leballeur who struck just wide.

After the break Harry Bassett was calm on the edge of the box to assist Leballeur who tucked the ball in at the far post. Exmouth then raised their game and started littering the opposition goal with shots. Finn Glanfield, Mogford and Field hitting some outstanding strikes but the pick of the bunch came from centre-back Bryn Stephens who rattled the bar from outside the box.

Seb Harrison delivered a superb corner which Glanfield headed in to make it five. Then winger Lewis Evans, who had been running the defence ragged all day, scored the pick of the bunch when he dribbled past three defenders and smashed it in. The final goal came from another excellent corner that was coolly headed in by Mogford for his brace.

Although a quiet day in defence, Lewis Alford (goalkeeper), Harry Kifli-Reynolds and Tom Price didn't put a foot wrong at the back. Overall it was a superb exhibition of football from a confident team playing with a really professional attitude.

Exmouth United 6-3 Twyford Spartans

Exmouth United Under 12s went behind three times but fought back to beat the Twyford Spartans in a nine goal thriller.

In a fairly contested first-half both sides created chances but it was the visitors who went ahead when they intercepted a defensive clearance to score. However, it was the second-half in which the match sprang to life. Within 5 minutes striker Kuba Strzalkowski put Jay Leballeur through to draw level for United. Twyfords made it 2-1 with a well dispatched free-kick. Once again Strzalkowski set up Leballeur and it was all even. The Spartans took no time in pushing through the Exmouth defence to score a third. But, as before, Strzalkowski burst forward and created yet another great opportunity that Leballeur seized upon to grab his hat-trick.

United then took it up a gear and began creating chance after chance. Bryn Stephens put them ahead with a right-footed curling free-kick from outside the box. Meanwhile, at the back Harry Kifli-Reynolds and Dylan Mogford denied the Spartans any opportunity to break through their defensive line. The fifth goal was the pick of the bunch: Strzalkowski picked up the ball after defending a corner, pushed it past an opponent and began to sprint. He rounded another on the half-way line, pushed the ball past the last defender and slotted the ball home to complete the most remarkable solo effort. Five minutes later the striker produced another fantastic dribble and scored the sixth.

The match was refereed by an excellent young ref at the start of his career.

Exmouth United 1-3 Sidmouth Warriors

A mixed day for Exmouth in a match that started in the snow. The home team bossed the first half against Sidmouth and were well deserved leaders after Strzalkowski smashed home from inside the box. After the change, Exmouth were penned back by the visitors and that set the tone for the half. Sidmouth scored twice and, with United chasing an equaliser, grabbed a late third to make it 3-1.

Harrison's strike sends United into Plate final (Cullompton Tigers 0-2 Exmouth United)

On a sunny Winter's morning Exmouth United Under 12s sealed an Exeter Youth League Plate Final place with a resolute performance that saw them defeat Cullompton Tigers 2-0 away.

In a well-contested first-half the two sides sparred for possession with the boggy pitch demanding much of the players. Both teams thought they had taken the lead before the referee overruled - Exmouth brought back for a throw and Cullompton for an offside. 

Division 1 Cullompton showed their class playing some nice football but the United defensive back-line stayed strong, Harry Kifli-Reynolds and Bryn Stephens snuffing out a number of threats to their right. Going forward, United made some penetrating runs up the left wing, with Jay Leballeur and Kuba Strzalkowski terrorising the defence with their pace and skill.

United stepped up their energy after the re-start and pushed the Tigers back. The midfield - Seb Harrison, Finn Glanfield and Lewis Evans - were strong in the tackle and their combination of passing and skill began to make the difference. They got behind the Cullompton defence three times before Harrison made the breakthrough when he picked up a ball from Cayleb Field to hit a shot and then bury the rebound in the net. A few minutes later Strzalkowski out-paced the defence and struck home to make it 2-0.

Exmouth United U12s - a proud day!

The hosts continued to fight and United showed great unity to keep a clean sheet. Goaly Lewis Alford was fearless as he flung himself at the feet of oncoming strikers whilst full-backs Harry Bassett and Owen Brady refused to let the home side get the better of them. Up the other end Exmouth created more chances and Jack Greaves was unfortunate not to grab a third as his deft shot struck the post. Towards the end Exmouth shored up the defence with Tom Price and Dylan Mogford sitting in midfield and effectively shutting down any attempt by the hosts to play through the middle.

Exmouth came out worthy winners after a gritty performance in which their togetherness and hard work really made the difference. They will take a lot of confidence from this match and will look forward to the Plate final in May.

The Exmouth players wore armbands in memory of Marjolijn Harrison who recently passed away. She will be greatly missed by many in Exmouth and beyond.

Cranbrook Futsal tournament - great show by United!

We travelled to a Cranbrook for a local Futsal tournament today. Futsal is a high-tempo indoor 5-a-side format using a small ball - encouraging skill and quick passing. The eight man squad started with a high-press tactic against the Exeter Panthers. This worked a treat and they dominated the match to win 3-0. Straight after they took on Lympstone Lions and demonstrated some fantastic skill and passing to win 5-2. Next up was Cullompton Tigers, who United excelled against with a 5-0 victory. In the second round of matches United beat the Panthers 4-1 before coming up against Lympstone. This was the most testing match as the Lions went ahead and defended resolutely. However, Exmouth worked their way into the match and ended up as 3-1 victors. In the final match United made it a 100% record with a 3-0 win against Cullompton. To top it off their excellent keeper, Lewis Alford, came out of goal and scored with seconds to goal.

An outstanding performance from all the players, ending on a goal difference of +19 (23 for and 4 against). Well done to all those who played! Here are the players and their goal tally for the day. Lewis Alford (1), Dylan Mogford (2), Cayleb Field (2), Bryn Stephens (2), Finn Glanfield (5), Lewis Evans (1), Jay Leballeur (3) and Kuba Strzalkowski (7).

Twyford Spartans 2-4 Exmouth United

A crisp sunny January morning in Tiverton saw a highly entertaining match between Twyford Spartans and Exmouth United. The home side immediately got into gear and began passing the ball around expertly. However, Exmouth countered up the left when Seb Harrison beat his marker to slide the ball through to striker Kuba Strzalkowski who raced through to score. Within moments it was all square as Twyford passed it into the net from a cross. The Spartans then went ahead when a long shot crept in past the keeper. Jay Leballeur soon raced up the right wing to cross accurately to Strzalkowski who struck home for his second.

After half-time both teams continued to play some good football. United defended well and limited the chances and central midfielder Cayleb Field began pulling the strings with his calm and clever passing. Strzalkowski made some fantastic runs from within his own half and was rewarded with a hat-trick when Leballeur crossed again for him to score. Exmouth gained in confidence and created more opportunities with Bryn Stephens firing in a rebound to seal the victory 4-2.