Honiton thirds net ‘karma’ success at Culm United

Honiton thirds were 5-3 winners when they travelled to Uffculme to take on Culm United Reserves in a Macron League Division Eight encounter.

Honiton Town 2nds at home to Uplowman Athletic. Ref mhsp 44-17TI 2593. Picture: Terry Ife - Credit: Archant

There was an element of ‘karma’ about the success as the Hippos third string overturned a 3-2 half-time deficit to win with something to spare.

The ‘karma’ incident occurred with the Hippos leading 2-1 – thanks to goals from Ryan Salter and Steve Curry that had cancelled out a fifth minute opener from the hosts – when one of their players went down injured on the half way line. The home side played on (it is customary for the ball to be kicked out of play when a player is clearly prone on the ground) and did so for a good minute before they scored the game’s fourth goal.

Clearly rattled, the Hippos shipped a third to trail at the break. Whatever player-boss Andrew Pike said at the interval clearly worked for there was only one side in the contest throughout the second half as Town moved the ball about with genuine confidence – and crispness!

Both Salter and Curry struck again to put Town 4-3 to the good and a penalty, slammed home by Dean Sluman, sealed a superb success for the side – and provided suitable ‘pay back’ to the home side for not kicking the ball out to allow the injured player to get treatment.

In what was a terrific all-round show, there were impressive shifts from two substitutes with Callum Salter – a first-half replacement for the injured Harry Leisk - and Cole Batten, who slotted seamlessly into the right back berth in the second half, both impressing.

On Saturday, Town thirds, who now sit, fourth, and sport the division’s last remaining unbeaten record, play their first home game of the league season when they host Thorverton thirds (2.15pm).