This was a must win game for the Sidmouth side if they were to avoid relegation this year. A poor first half of the season has left the home side dangerously near the foot of the table, so a win against the White Eagles was crucial, writes Sarah Thomas .

With this in mind, Sidmouth started strongly and worked hard from the first whistle to win possession and build up some attacking momentum. With the majority of the play in the White Eagles’ half, Sidmouth looked dangerous for a while but couldn’t find the final touch in the circle to convert the attacking moves into goals.

Eventually, the pressure paid off and Sidmouth scored a fantastic team goal. The home side moved the ball up the pitch from Janet Jones’ defensive hit out. Lea Pidgeon combined with Taryn Beuthin to dissect the Eagles’ defence. Beuthin’s shot beat the keeper to give Sidmouth a well-deserved lead.

White Eagles rallied and provided the Sidmouth defence with lots of work to do. Timely tackles from Jodie Lane and Chloe Munn prevented the visitors from scoring on the break. However, this pressure resulted in them winning a penalty after a shot on goal hit a Sidmouth foot. With Hayley Delasalle already making some fine saves in the game, the White Eagles captain, taking the penalty, looked to place the ball wide, out of Hayley’s reach, but unfortunately for them it went just a bit too wide and missed the goal.

Sidmouth upped their work rate and went all out to put the game beyond reach. With several attacking short corners flying just wide of the posts, they were unlucky not to score. Sarah Hutchings and Karen Cann had space to run down the right, and this increased when a White Eagles’ player was sin binned for not retreating following a free hit. On the left side, Sara Roberts and Lucy Broad also made strong attacking runs, giving the Eagles defence plenty of work to do.

Sidmouth eventually extended their lead when Dukes Player of the Match, Taryn Beuthin, scored a fine individual goal.

White Eagles managed to get back into the game with a well hit shot. The home side then stepped up the pace and Chrissie Mitchell scored Sidmouth’s third goal following another well-worked passing move.

The win gives Sidmouth three valuable league points, which they will be hoping to build on tomorrow when they play away against Dart.