An all-action performance saw the Vikings topple the Tigers in El Jurassico at Manstone Lane.
The game was only four minutes old when Sidmouth took the lead. A clever hooked pass from Ashley Hudd saw Louis Jagger Cane race behind the Axminster defender before unselfishly passing the ball to Ashley Small who calmly finished from close range.
The lead should have been doubled in the 15th minute when Small robbed the defender in the box but opted to lift his shot and the keeper gratefully caught the ball. In the 22nd minute, Small weaved down the left before finding Hudd who cleverly turned in the box before finding Cooper who was hacked down. Liam Carey stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.
Zach Lee was forced into a stunning save when he denied Richard Hebbitch from point blank range but Sidmouth were playing some magical football and a move involving Small, Cooper and Will Jenkins resulted in Jagger Cane forcing a good save from the ‘keeper.
In the second half, the lead was finally extended by a moment of magic from Cooper. He received the ball from Snow before bursting past a couple tackles and unleashing a thunderous drive from 30 yards, which whistled into the corner.
Five minutes later, and Sidmouth led by four. Snow clipped a wonderful ball over the top for the ever-willing Jagger Cane and he nipped the ball past the ‘keeper before being chopped down. Again, Carey stepped up and made no mistake with his second of the night.
The Tigers did get one back and it was the goal of the night. Lewis Waldy intercepted the pass 30 yards from goal before travelling and unleashing a stunning strike which rifled into the top corner. A hope of comeback was picking up more momentum when a short back pass saw Lee’s kick cannoned back off Craig Veal and into the net.
The three goal advantage should have been regained when Jagger Cane raced through with all the time in the world but his hesitation allowed the Ax defender back into tackle. It was unfortunate for Louis as he more than deserved a goal for his performance.
The Vikings followed up the memorable derby day win with a 4-0 defeat of Dartmouth.
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