Seaton Town taking their battle to stay up to the wire

Seaton travelled to Topsham last week for what had been billed as a ‘must win’ fixture. When they arrived at the host’s Coronation Field home they discovered that the Tops were fielding three players who had turned out for Barnstaple Town in the Southern League Division One South and West, plus two who appear regularly for Exmouth Town.

Those ‘additions’ are not against league rules – as long as the players are signed on they can play – if they are not being used by their ‘first choice’ clubs. However, it was tough on Seaton to come up against a fellow Macron League struggler on a day when they were able to ‘significantly strengthen’ their side.

Town lost 4-1 to sink deeper into the battle to avoid a bottom two finish and are now very much involved in a ‘any two from four’ situation at the foot of the table with the other three being Topsham Town, Hatherleigh Town and Clyst Valley.

It was player-boss French who scored the Town goal, but he was sent off in the other midweek game his side played last week – a 4-1 Seaton Cup loss at Chard Town – and so has to sit out both Tuesday night’s home meeting with Exmouth Town and Saturday’s visit to Witheridge, but he will be available to play in Monday’s East Devon derby against Feniton.

French says: “It was very frustrating to find Topsham Town bolstered by such quality, but the rules are what they are and it was one of those nights up there when everything conspired against us. My sending off against Chard added to my frustration and I am going to have to sit out Saturday’s game at Witheridge, but will be back for the Feniton game.”

As for what he feels his side needs to beat a bottom two finish, French said: “Before the Tuesday night game at home to Exmouth Town (see how they got on at www.midweekherald.co.uk) I’d have said if we won three of the last six we’d be OK.”

After Monday’s home meeting with Feniton, Town play at home to Beer, Okehampton and then have that final day meeting with Topsham Town.