The Lambs were knocked out of the F A Vase losing by the odd goal in five. After beating two teams that play at a higher level in the previous two qualifying rounds to lose to a team in the same league was disappointing .
The Lambs had to make changes to the side that played at Tiverton, with Shane Krac unavailable through suspension. Dan Evans could only take a place on the subs bench as he had not fully recovered from injury.
Glynn Hobbs took a shot straight from the kick off as he saw the home keeper Chris Wright off his line, the keeper managed to retreat too make an acrobatic save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Exmouth started the better and forced the Lambs into making several mistakes by pressing the visitors high up the pitch, giving them no time to get their passing game going.
In the third minute Exmouth took the lead, when they were awarded a free kick for what was a harsh decision as Lewis Daw seemed to have won the ball fairly in an aerial challenge, but the referee ruled a foul had been committed. From the free kick taken by Dan Boere, poor marking by the Lambs saw Ace High get a free header which found the corner of the net.
The home team continued to press forward and increased their lead in the thirteenth minute when Dave Hallett lost possession in the midfield, a fine ball found Jordan Charron in on goal, who slotted the ball pass the advancing Josh Oak.
Things got even worse for the Lambs when on the half hour Nathan Cooper made it three from another defensive error.
Manager Stuart Henderson made two tactical substitutions to try and get a foothold back in the game. This did make a difference but the Lambs still found it difficult to get their passing game flowing.
Exmouth continued to have the upper hand and it needed two great save from Josh Oak to deny Charron and Cooper to prevent the Lambs falling further behind.
Just before the interval Glynn Hobbs saw his powerful shot turned onto the post by keeper Wright, the ball went out for a corner kick.
The second half was a complete contrast to the first at the Lambs started to take control.
Following missing a couple of early chances the Lambs reduced the deficit, when a fine move down the left saw Crago get into the penalty area his cross into the six yard area found Ricki Shepherd, who flashed the ball home off the under side of the cross bar.
In the 70th minute a great through ball put Glynn Hobbs in on goal where home keeper Chris Wright crudely brought him down inside the penalty area. Hobbs stepped up to thunder the ball home.
The Lambs were now on top putting the home defence under severe pressure, creating several good opportunities to get an equaliser. The home team now needed all hands on deck to keep the visitors at bay, but some last ditch defending and good goal keeping kept the Lambs at bay. Then in the dying minutes Glyn Hobbs nearly forced extra time but his shot was scrambled off the goal line to deny the Lambs.
This was a game that was lost by some defensive mistakes, giving the side a mountain to climb in the second half. The team applied themselves in the second period and almost made it, just falling short, as the home team held on. The team deserved to take the game to extra time but it was not to be. No doubt everyone will be very disappointed, but they must pick themselves up, and be ready to be at their best for the next game.
