Honiton Town Reserves went down 4-2 when they entertained Halwill in a Macron League meeting.

Playing their first home game of the season, and under new management following the departure of long-serving manager John Lewis, Town were further hampered by no fewer than 20 players being unavailable.

New boss Andrew Pike, who had begun the season managing the club’s third team, found himself in the starting line-up and he was joined by no less than five of the third team regulars.

Making things all the harder for Pike and his ‘new’ team, they shipped an early goal, but soon settled into the contest and they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half hour, during which time they deservedly levelled when Charlie Lane headed home a Luke Phillips free-kick.

Halwill regained the lead with a lot of fortune about the goal, which Hippos’ glovesman Dean Randall saw go into his net off the upright.

It was no more than Town deserved when skipper Jack Knight scored to send the sides into the break all square at 2-2.

Halwill began the second half with real vigor and two early goals gave them a 4-2 lead. However, once again the home side fought back into the contest and gave as good as they got for the remainder of the game.

Luke Barwick was named as the Town Man of the Match.

Post match, an optimistic new Town second team boss said: “Given the week we had and the numbers missing I am pleased with the effort the boys put in.

“We matched Halwill across the park for most of the game and, with slightly better luck, would have seen at least a point from the match.”

He continued: “The spirit amongst the lads was superb, especially given the change in management and personnel, and we played some decent passing football.

“The right team won the game, but the score line flatters them a little; it was closer than it looks, and we have plenty to build on from here.

“Ultimately, we paid the price for not clearing our lines when we needed to, and playing a little too much football at the back when there really wasn’t time, but I’d rather go down playing like that than lumping everything 80 yards and giving away possession.

“Things can and will improve and I have every faith we will be nowhere near the bottom of the league in the coming weeks, such is the quality of players available at the club. Onwards and upwards, for sure.”