Huxley strike nets three points for Town thirds at East Budleigh
Honiton Town 2nds at home to Newton Poppleford. Ref mhsp 04-17TI 5815. Picture: Terry Ife - Credit: Archant
Honiton Town thirds picked up all three Macron League Division Nine points when they returned from East Budleigh with a 2-1 success.
The Mountbatten Park men had been without a game the previous week and, with just three remaining in their league campaign, were looking to win to ensure as high a finish in the table as possible.
The Hippos made the perfect start, scoring within the first two minutes of the contest! Goalkeeper Kieran Conway launched a kick up-field and, as it sailed over everyone bar one – that player being Ryan Pike – the teenager ran on and rifled a terrific volley past a static home glovesman to launch the game in real style!
The goal sees the young hit man closing in on 20 goals this term – a fabulous return given the team will only play 18 league matches this season!
East Budleigh dug deep and played their part in a game that saw the ball spend much of the time in middle of the pitch. However, a second goal did arrive and it was scored by the home side after a neat passing move to send the sides into the break on level terms.
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During the half-time interval, Town boss Andrew Pike urged his side to step up the pace and play with a higher line to attempt to try and reduce the amount of space they had allowed the home side to play in during the first 45 minutes.
The ply worked and, for large parts of the second half, Town were the dominant force. The Hippos scored the game’s third and final goal when Tim Huxley curled a superb free-kick in at the back post from the corner of the penalty area.
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That drew a response from Budleigh that saw them launch attack after attack. However, the Hippos defence and the outstanding Conway between the posts, was equal to everything thrown at them.
In front of Conway, Adam White and Jake Davies dished up the top individual defensive shifts in what was an over all excellent team performance.
Town third team boss Pike said: “We deserved the points. Kieran [Conway] was superb in goal making some fine saves, but it was far from one-way and we gave as good as we got – indeed better than we got for long periods.”
The win keeps Town in the top four and they play their penultimate league game on Saturday (February 4) when they travel to Tedburn St Mary (3pm).