Nathan Jenkins second half strike saw Hartpury FC earn their first win of 2026 with a 1-0 win over Exmouth Town on Saturday, at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.
It took until the 15th minute for an attempt on target, when Louis Manning stung the Exmouth goalkeeper’s palms from distance.
Seth Locke was tested on 20 minutes through a lowly struck Aaron Denny effort, which the Acorns shot stopper was equal to.
Jenkins eyed up yet another distanced effort this season, but his strike from 25-yards was dealt with by Aaron Dearing, in the Exmouth goal, on 25 minutes.
The Acorns were denied by the post four minutes later when Billy Osborn could only head a Manning cross onto the woodwork from close range.
Osborn saw a low effort saved in stoppage time at the end of the half, before Locke was called upon to produce a brilliant save at his near post, to send the game deadlocked into the break.
HALF TIME - EXMOUTH TOWN 0-0 HARTPURY FC
But it took just seven minutes into the new half for the Acorns to break the deadlock when, Jenkins’ volleyed effort deflected past the goalkeeper.
Towns went close two minutes later but could only flick his effort into the side netting, at the near post.
Noah Coates tried his luck on 76 minutes with an effort on the angle, but he could only pick out the side netting.
Exmouth threw everything at the Acorns in additional time, but another superb near post save from Locke and an incredible block from Jenkins, secured the clean sheet and all three points.
The Acorns will look to build on this performance when we welcome Shaftesbury AFC to the 4ED Hartpury Stadium on Tuesday night.
FULL TIME – EXMOUTH TOWN 0-1 HARTPURY FC
STARTING XI: Locke (GK), Kent, Machisa, Robinson, Sims, Towns, Jenkins, Prifti (Shyamapant 82’), Coates, Manning (Sanniola 87’), Osborn © (Silva 66’)
UNUSED SUBS: Aldridge, Callow
ATTENDENCE: 225
