Sidmouth third team recorded a firth win of the Fresha League Eight season when they defeated Chagford 2-1.

The Vikings’ were able to select from a full-strength squad, but on a bumpy surface, struggled to find their normal passing rhythm against a team whose own passing and movement belied their relatively lowly league position. Sidmouth nevertheless fashioned a series of good openings with last year’s top scorer, Blake Blackwood, being denied by a number of excellent saves by the visiting goalkeeper.

It was somewhat against the run of play when a moment of indecision in the Sidmouth defence was punished by Chagford who fired powerfully past the despairing dive of Adam Bartlett in the Sidmouth goal. When Brett Lines shot cannoned off the Chagford bar it really did look like Sidmouth were going to struggle to get back in to a game despite the number of goal scoring opportunities that they were creating.

At half-time Sidmouth boss Ian Peacock urged his team to find a greater tempo to their game and the players responded to his prompting in style.

Two early second half goals turned the game on its head. The first was a smartly taken effort from captain Carl Baldwin and the second, a thunderous drive from Richard Johnson.

One of the guiding principles of the Town third team is to ensure that all the substitutes get a good run out, but on this occasion that approach seemed to lead to a loss of momentum and, instead of extending their lead, the home team came under intense pressure.

Had it not been for a couple of outstanding saves from Man of the Match Adam Bartlett, the visiting pressure would surely have arrived.

A late injury to James Hiscox left the Vikings playing with 10 men for the final few minutes, but they saw the game out well to deservedly bank the points.

This Saturday the team return to County Cup action and an A and S Paving Devon Intermediate Cup fourth round tie at home to Newton St Cyres (2pm).