Sidmouth Town 3, Honiton Town 2 Sidmouth Town Under-15s edged a well-contested East Devon Youth League derby.

Sidmouth started brightly and took the lead when Connor Murphy scored.

Todd Beanlands, on his Sidmouth debut, was causing his Honiton school-mates all sorts of problems with his pace and it was after one of his sorties down the flank that ball was played into Jack Harwood to volley Sidmouth into a two-goal lead.

Joe and Ben Miller combined to give Beanlands an opportunity, but the new lad fired over.

Honiton carried a threat on the break, but got little change out of an organised defensive unit of Tom Orchard, Jamie Newbery, Al Forsyth and Matt Jones that meant Sidmouth keeper Henry Bartlett was a virtual spectator!

After the break Honiton came back well and levelled things up at 2-2 with still 15 minutes to play.

Chances were created at both ends until, with ten minutes remaining Harwood went through and, as the keeper advanced he lifted the ball up over him only to see it come back off the frame of the goal!

There were just four minutes left when a great ball from Murphy found Harwood who saw his left foot shot nestle in the top corner of the net.

Honiton responded well and only a great save from Bartlett denied them.

At the other end Beanlands was denied again by a smart save with what proved to be the final goal mouth action of an enthralling contest.

Forsyth, Orchard, Newbery and Beanlands were the stand-out performers for Sidmouth in the game.