IT has been quite a turnaround for Exmouth Town. A year ago, Kevin Hill’s side were desperately fighting to stay in Southern League Division One. Now, they are battling at the other end of the table looking to get out of it.
In an attempt to do just that, Hill has added to his squad again this week with the acquisition of Tiverton Town’s former Barnstaple Town and Buckland striker Tor Swann. But it is another shrewd piece of transfer business that has been such a contributing factor to their success.
Goalkeeping is in the genes of Frankie Phillips, the 18-year-old goalkeeper signed on loan from Exeter City. His Father, Steve, played over 500 career games for the likes of Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Crewe Alexandra and now, Frankie is looking to follow in the footsteps of his old man.
“I was a centre midfielder before I started (in goal) and I loved it outfield, I played outfield all the time,” Phillips jnr said on his path to goalkeeping. “There was then a training session where I got stuck in goal because we had no ‘keeper’s and they asked if I wanted to go in goal. I said ‘yes’ and it was weird because it just clicked really!
“I had never been taught, but I was saving shots and I thought: ‘I kind of like this!’ I then went from playing half and half – half in goal and half outfield – and I had to make a decision and decided to stick with goalkeeping from then on and stuck with it all the way through.
“I actually preferred being outfield, but for myself, I thought I’d be better off in goal. I get information off my dad and what have you, but it is probably one of the best decisions I have ever made really.”
Phillips’ form led to him being invited for trial at Exeter City under the watchful eye of their goalkeeping coach, Kevin Miller. The Grecians liked what they saw and offered him a one-year deal, but no sooner had the ink dried on that contract than he was joining Exmouth on loan.
Phillips has had an outstanding season to date and it was no surprise when it was announced he would be staying at Southern Road for the rest of the season. But while the minutes are valuable to the development of Phillips, he wants to mark his season with a promotion.
Tomorrow, Exmouth – second in the table – take on relegation-threatened Tavistock at Southern Road and Phillips only has eyes on another three points.
“I have loved every minute of it,” he said. “Ever since I came in for pre-season, the lads were so welcoming and throughout the whole season, the journey has just been phenomenal. The lads have been quality and I couldn’t ask for a better group really. They are top lads.
“The goal for the team is to get promoted. That is the goal within the group and what we want to achieve, but for me personally, my loan is now until the end of the season which is good because we are playing well and I wouldn’t want to change club whilst we are in this position.
“But if we can finish in the play-offs, that would be great and we can see where we go from there really. But I am buzzing. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be at this moment.”
Elsewhere tomorrow, in-form Falmouth can pull further clear of the relegation zone by beating Larkhall Athletic at Bickland Park, while Mousehole welcome Thatcham Town looking to get back into those play-off places.
Helston are eight points off the top five now and welcome fourth-placed Melksham Town, Bideford head to Evesham Town, who are third, and Willand Rovers head to league leaders Yate Town.