Sidmouth Town Res 1 Uplowman Athletic 1

The Town's second string hosted second-in-the-table Uplowman, from mid-Devon. With a depleted side and no regular keeper, this game appeared to be an uphill task.

Brett Sellick bravely donned the keeper’s gloves and a gameplan was hatched to utilise the limited squad. The Vikings started the game well, with Ian Mortimore, Jack Lewis and Tim Lister, as a front three, keeping possession and working the visitors’ back four.

Sellick was only troubled once, saving with his legs at the near post, in the opening half. As the game progressed the Vikings’ belief grew and they deservedly took the lead, 16-year-old centre-half Matt Hill nodding home a goal-bound Mortimore corner.

The second half saw Sidmouth's rearguard soak up Uplowman pressure. Mortimore had a good goal chalked off before the visitors equalised with 10 minutes to go. The Vikings claimed a worthy point but it could so easily have been three.

Fellow high-flyers Westexe Rovers visit the Manstone Rec this week.