Honiton Town Football Club match report: Elmore v Honiton Hippos

The Hippos travelled to Elmore for their opening game in the South West Peninsula League East, under the floodlights at Tiverton.

Liam Raybold gave his Peninsular league debut to Giles Bassen, who had impressed during the preseason games.

Town started the stronger of the two sides, but each team seemed to cancel one another out until the 37th minute, when Bassen slid the ball past the keeper's outstretched hand into the corner of the net.

Frank Rosenwald could have doubled the lead just before the end of the 45 minutes, however after some good work beating the home goalie he could only find the side netting. So Hippos led at the break by a solitary goal.

Elmore started the second half quite brightly and a couple of smart saves by Luke Ashford denied the home team an equaliser. Howerever Ashford couldn't keep the ball out of his net indefinitely and the equaliser came in the 59th minute.

Both teams looked for the winner, Bassen was twisting and turning and being a nuisance to the Elmore defence, however he struggled to get a shot off on several occasions.

With 15 minutes to go, Town's captain was sent to the sin bin leaving the visitors with only 10 men to try and secure the victory. Their claims for a penalty were waved away by the ref, when the ball clearly hit the Elmore player's hand.

A victory for the Hippos was not to be, but both teams will feel that they did enough to win the tie.

Liam takes his team down into South Devon on Saturday, knowing that the last time Town played Stoke Gabriel they recorded their highest score. However since then Stoke Gabriel have merged with Torbay Police Football Club, and Raybold will know he is in for a more difficult challenge.