Following last season’s promotion, Axmouth made a fine start in the Fresha League, Division Five, with a hard fought, but deserved victory, at home to visiting St Martins.

United made the perfect start going ahead inside three minutes when Jake Dack got on the end of a cross from Asa and, although the keeper blocked his first effort, Dack fired home the rebound.

United continued to dominate and looked set for a comfortable afternoon but missed chances and some fine goal keeping denied them further scores.

Gradually the Exminster side got back into the game and they were on level terms following a defensive error. St Martins then took the lead on the half hour tucking away a penalty.

Things got distinctly worse for the hosts with injuries befalling Jake Dack and Charlie

Sweetland leaving both to limp put of the action before half-time. One of the substitutes was Reece Hales, making his first appearance since suffering a broken leg ten months before.

United regrouped and got to half-time with no further addition to the score-line. The hosts made a bright start to the second half and were deservedly level in the 51st minute when Jamie Hughes scored from the edge of the area. More missed chances followed before a Matt Ellis shot was blocked only for the ball to fall to Dan Jeeves and he calmly slotted home to give United the lead for the second time in the contest. That proved to be the winning goal leaving a delighted United boss Laure Forino to say: “This was a good start to the new season but we still need to improve a fair bit to challenge in what I believe is a strong division this year. Our lack of pre-season friendlies has shown match sharpness is missing a bit, but I was pleased again with our attitude and team spirit which came to the fore when we found ourselves behind at 2-1. It was great to see Reece (Hales) back in action and he got better as the game went on but my man of

the match was Matt Ellis who worked non stop and was unlucky not to get the goal his performance deserved.”