Sidmouth Warriors Under-13s produced the result of their season when they knocked much fancied Bideford Blues out of Exeter and District Youth League KO Cup, beating then North Devon side 2-0.
What made the result all the more impressive was that Bideford Blues sit top of the Division One table and look firm favourites to lift the title – but there’ll be no double celebrations after the Warriors sent them spinning out of the cup with a terrific all-round display!
The first half was a good contest and Warriors created the better of the chances, going close on a number of occasions.
After the break Warriors continued to pass the ball well and they were the depth of the crossbar away from taking the lead when a George Gelling strike cannoned back off the frame of the goal.
Thomas Mead and Jack Howe both went close with free-kicks and the deadlock was eventually broken when Harry Emmett and Calvin Clifford combined to slip the ball to Zac Jabri and he eased his way round a couple of Bideford players before rifling the ball home!
The North Devon side hit back, but Warriors defenders Harry Emmet, Jack Howe, Lewis McManus and Josh Haige did a great job, keeping the opposition at arms length.
The second and final goal was a cracker! Gelling picked the ball up in space, ran at the Bideford defence and, after pacing his way between the central defenders, unleashed a powerful strike that flew into the back of the net!
A 2-0 win means that Warriors will now move on to St James Park in Exeter to play the final in early May.
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