The longest journey yet… and not to see the City

So we had been planning our longest away trip yet, Tiverton Town v Winchester City.

On the morning of the game, guess what... the most commonly used saying of the season "waterlogged pitch". Daddy was disappointed as Tiverton was due to be another new ground, but with it being moved to midweek, getting off work will mean it's a no-go.

However, Uncle Mike was still planning on travelling down to Devon anyway to see his old home town team, Bashley, who were playing at Exmouth Town. Guess what...City super fan, Rob Conway, also made the trip as he was already en-route to Devon when the Tiverton game got called off.

So after much deliberation, we thought we would join the guys and head down to Devon too.

The car was packed, with extra toys and dummies for Miss considering the journey time. And off we went along the A303.

The journey itself was fine, a quick stop just outside Yeovil for lunch and a bum change and we carried on for Exmouth. Uncle Mike got there moments before us and Rob had already arrived earlier via train.

The small car park at the ground was already full, but the helpful stewards pointed us to some street parking immediately outside the ground. Nice, wide spaces. Perfect!

There was a small gate next to the turnstiles, which was opened for Miss and her pushchair.

Exmouth's ground is tidy, with lovely stewards who are very helpful. A nice big clubhouse, with a club shop inside the clubhouse. You can even get a pint in branded Exmouth plastic pint glasses 🍻

The clubhouse doubles up as a function venue, and Miss got very excited to find a balloon arch (incidentally in Bashley's black and gold colours).

Sadly no baby changing facilities and no accessible toilet either. So a bum change was in the cubicle in the Gents... very tight and not at all pleasant - but were used to that on a Matchday!

We grabbed our usual before the match, although this time Daddy had a pasty... we weren't in Cornwall, but close enough to merit a pasty!

We opted to 'follow' Bashley, with several former Citizens in their team, including Ross Casey, Dan Thompson and Brett Williams.

A second-half free-kick settled the encounter, with Bashley heading back to the New Forest with three valuable points.

Lots to see at the ground - with the estuary close by and the railway line next to the ground too!

Exmouth fans are a passionate group but very kind and welcoming and we will definitely be back one day.