Taunton Vale D 2, Sidmouth HC 3rd XI 1

INSPIRED goalkeeping denied Sidmouth at least a point from a game they dominated for long periods, writes John Goodwin.

From the pushback, the visitors stuck to the passing game prescribed by skipper Stewart Vincent and made regular incursions into the home D, where they found a sharp goalkeeper quick to spread himself and block shots.

After a rare break, Taunton gained a short corner and, although goalkeeper John Goodwin kicked the first shot clear, the rebound was pounced on and struck home.

For the rest of the half Sidmouth remained in the ascendancy but could not draw level despite a healthy penalty corner count. Steve Morton’s shots on target were saved and, in the scrambles that followed, the goalkeeper always came out on top.

The second half saw Taunton more in the game and they stretched their lead early on. A deserved goal came for Sidmouth when Chris Olive picked up the ball on the left at the top of the D, drifted over to the right and struck a clean shot past the goalkeeper.

Until the final whistle, Sidmouth threw everything into attack with defenders Simon Olive and Morton thrusting forward at every opportunity.

The ball repeatedly flashed across the home D with the lunging sticks of Richard Lucas, Cliff Jones and Miles Warren inches away from making a decisive contact.

Sidmouth’s ultimately vain search for an equaliser left them vulnerable at the back, but the tireless Ryan Bunn regularly got in cover tackles and then returned to supporting the attacks. His endeavour won him the Man of the Match vote.

Tomorrow Sidmouth entertain Okehampton with a 12.30pm push back.