Sidmouth Warriors Under-13s made a winning start to the new year as they won their Exeter and District Youth League game at Tedburn St Mary against West Exe, 4-2.

Simply getting onto the pitch was quite something for the Warriors, who had been without a competitive match since November.

The game began in what were freezing conditions and both sides looked a little sluggish in the early exchanges.

The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute when, from Warriors’ first attack, Ryan Barnes was in the right place at the right time to score.

The home response was good and the Warriors’ defence was forced to work hard to keep them at arm’s length - something they did very well.

When the solid back line was breached, the impressive Anthony Nita in the Warriors goal was more than equal to the task.

At the other end of the pitch another slick raid ended with Barnes again applying a clinical finish and half-time arrived with Warriors leading 2-0.

The home side began the second half brightly and they punished a defensive mistake to get a goal back.

Galvanised by their goal, the home side were soon back onto the front foot and a second goal restored parity to the contest.

The one thing that this Warriors team has in abundance is character and resilience and it came to the fore once again!

With Thomas Nicholls orchestrating things from midfield and Tom Cload putting in a Man of the Match shift on the left wing, Warriors began to get a foothold in the game once more.

Changes were made to the team and Jamie Pitter, now back with the side after a couple of seasons away, linked up well in the forward line with Ben Elson.

It was Pitter and Elson who combined superbly to see Warriors regain the lead – Pitter providing the assist and Elsom the finish.

With Finn Cotton, Michal Bielawski and Charles Joy enjoying greater possession, it seemed only a matter of time before Warriors scored again.

The final goal duly arrived when Joy played a terrific pass that released Elsom and he weaved his way through a number of home challenges before firing home his second goal of the game.

The win keeps Warriors sitting second in the table.