Exeter Civil Service 4, Sidmouth Town Reserves 3 There were a number of positives for Town to take from a narrow defeat on their visit to Exeter.

After falling behind to a penalty they produced some bright football and applied pressure delivering some quality ball, particularly from Doug Still, into the opposition area. Sadly no one could find a finish and, on the break, the home side bagged a second though there was a huge element of off-aside about the score! The Vikings hauled themselves back into the contest when Louis Grant netted from close range. A third from the home team sent Town into the break 3-1 down.

The hosts began the second half well and quickly added a fourth. The Town response was positive and swift and when they won a penalty, Ked Dorman, back after a lengthy injury lay-off, slammed it home. Dorman they struck a second with a sweet curler into the far right corner. Sadly time ran out as the Vikings pressed for what would have been a deserved equaliser.

A disappointed Manager Nick Ogden said: “We do keep shooting ourselves in the foot, and don’t seem capable of scoring first. When things are against you need to get the odd break or two to change things. It seems as if we need to go a couple of goals down before we start playing! I guess that is obviously down to my failure to motivate the lads in the right way. We are also having to play people out of position and that’s not ideal and its costing us dear, but one thing this group of player’s does posess in abundance is a fantastic collective character and fight and we will scrap for every point until the end. The return of Kev (Dorman) was a big plus whilst new signing Constantin Rusu looked very competitive. Doug Still was Man of the Match for another hard working shift.”

Jordan Stickland was forced off with an ankle injury that Ogden is hoping isn’t as bad as first appeared with Town back in action this Saturday when they entertain Bickleigh (3pm).