Ten Goal Exeter crush Southampton

Five goals from man of the match Joe Robinson inspired Exeter 5ths to a comprehensive 10-1 victory away at Southampton 2nds, in the opening fixture of this year’s Hockey BUCS campaign.

The visitors took the lead inside two minutes, with Scott Woolley deflecting a seamless short corner routine into the roof of the net, earning him a ‘champagne moment’ in the process. Exeter dominated proceedings from then on in, and ran out easy winners in a distinctly one-sided affair.

The game was effectively over by half time with a score line of 6-1, despite a consolation goal for Southampton, who didn’t manage another shot on target.

Jack Hinshelwood, Rhys Davies, Harrison Jones and Joe Harrison completed the rout, as Southampton all but capitulated in the closing stages.

Injuries to Nick Lawson-Turnbull and James Whitfield took the gloss off the win, but the ‘Muppet moment’ was reserved for Nick Rusbridge, who – despite the scoreline – could only manage to deflect a shoddy cross into his own net, past despairing goalkeeper Ben Sully.

The return fixture will be played next week, with Exeter looking for a repeat performance at home to cement their place at the top of Western League Division 2.

This result represents a great start for the 5ths and emphasizes the strength in depth the Hockey club can produce. The result also gives some consolation after the 1sts slightly disappointing 3-3 home draw to Oxford.