Sidmouth 2nd team won their first home game of the season 2-1 to a skilful and well-supported Beacon Knights team, writes Alan Rowe.

Sidmouth 2nd team won their first home game of the season 2-1 to a skilful and well-supported Beacon Knights team.Beacon Knights have been together for a few seasons and their teamwork and passing had Sidmouth under pressure in the early stages. Sam Hammett, in particular, stood out as the Sidmouth defence coped with the away team's attacks.On the half hour mark, Sidmouth went 1-0 up when Anthony Griffiths played a great through ball to Craig Badcock who unleashed a dipping volley from 25 yards over the keeper's head. This was Badcock's first game of the season after deciding not to hang up his boots!Encouraged by the goal, Sidmouth started to play better, with Toby Gigg and Steve Edwards beginning to have some joy in the wide positions and the hard working Badcock and Lewis giving the opposition's centre halves a hard time. Sidmouth went in at the break 1-0 up with manager Rowe pleased with the team's effort, especially the back four of Chaplin, Hammett, Staniforth and Griffiths.In the second half Sidmouth were again under pressure with the defence having to cope with a series of corners, one of which was headed off the line onto the crossbar by Gigg. A goal seemed on the cards and it came when the Beacon Knights' sub hit a dipping volley with what was probably his first touch of the game.Sidmouth were forced to make a change when Steve Edwards landed awkwardly, twisting his knee. On came Tony West, soon followed by Steve Fowler, and this seemed to up the tempo as West and Neil Blake started to find the feet of Badcock and Fowle. The breakthrough that the improvement in passing deserved came 10 minutes from time when a high ball in the area fell for Badcock to nod in, despite having the goalkeeper and defenders all around him.The goal knocked the stuffing out of the opposition and Sidmouth could have gone further ahead when sub Dave Pugsley had a good shot pushed around the post.Rowe said: "It was a good performance defensively but we need to improve our passing and keep the ball for longer periods, but that will come as the players learn more about each other's game. To be honest Beacon Knights were a bit unlucky not to get something out of the game."He had a word of advice for Joe Clarke 'buy some boots that are not 2 sizes too big for you!'Man of the Match honours went to Sam Hammett for some great defending, and the evergreen Craig Badcock for his two goals and tireless running. Match sponsor: Sidmouth Garage. l This Saturday, Sidmouth Seconds are away to Lympstone. Sidmouth Second Team v Beacon Knights: Hugh Cort, Tom Chaplin, Jean-Paul Staniforth, Sam Hammett, Anthony Griffiths, Toby Gigg, Neil Blake Joe Clarke, Steve Edwards, Craig Badcock, Jack Lewis. Subs Ian Rush, Tony West, Conor Cottrell, Steve Fowler, Dave Pugsley.Below: Sidmouth's Anthony Griffiths gets stuck in. Pic: Iain Burns. ref 7935-40-08.