Sidmouth Raiders Under-12s were 5-3 winners on their visit to Okehampton to contest an Exeter and District Youth League Division One game.

Adding a touch of spice to the meeting was the fact that the two team shad met last season as Division Two side – both gaining promotion to the top flight for this campaign.

The early exchanges saw chances created at both end. The Raiders cause was seemingly hit with an early injury to Elliot Anning which meant ‘super sub’ Brendan Wright being summoned from the bench.

Within seconds of his introduction to the game Wright was showing just why he is known as ‘super sub’ as he fired Raiders ahead!

With a one goal lead the visitors began to play with real confidence and they were soon 2-0 up after a cross into the box was headed home by Elliot ‘Bubbles’ Bowyer.

The home side hit back and only some superb goalkeeping from Thomas Craig kept them at arms length. A third goal for Raiders before the break gave them a healthy 3-0 half-time advantage.

The home sound made a flying start to the second half and, once they got one back, soon added two more to draw level.

However, rather than sit back and look to take a point, Raiders were soon back on the front foot and it was no more than their adventure and industry deserved when Soren Hall restored the lead. It was the impressive Bowyer who scored the game’s eighth and final goal, completing his hat-trick in the process.