Junior football round-up

Playing against both the blustery conditions and a competitive Phoenix team, Sidmouth FC Junior Vikings U13s did not get off to the greatest of starts when the away team capitalised on a defensive error in the first minute to go 1-0 up, writes Andy Griffiths. Slowly the Vikings forced their way back into the game with a goal from Man of the Match Will Sanders after good build up play from Dan Powell.Sidmouth, whilst applying pressure, fell behind again to a speculative punt upfield to the Phoenix forwards who showed great ability in chipping over the keeper.After weathering an early second half battering from opposition corners, it was the Vikings that turned the screw by playing some fantastic one touch football,Sanders had two more goals and a classic training-ground move enabling Shawn Mackay to slot home from six yards meant that Sidmouth deservedly took all three points.There were good performances from Dan Corrick, Joe Griffiths, Dan Powell and Connor Ellis. l SIDBURY UTD U12s bowed out of this year's cup competition 3-2 to Tiverton Town, in an entertaining match in which both sides should be applauded for their commitment, attitude and spirit writes Julie Logan. Sidbury soaked up early pressure through Ben Logan, Toby Bouganeau, Connor Long, and Daniel Greenland but, after 15 minutes, Aaron Pearse thundered home a goal for a 1-0 lead from just outside the area. Tivvy equalised from a corner which Toby Bouganeau did well to volley, only to see his clearance take a wicked ricochet which ended up in the Sidbury net. There was no luck involved in the Tiverton second goal, a great strike from the edge of the box with a quality finish to put Tivvy 2-1 up. With the welcome return to the Sidbury attack of Harry Wright, who was a constant threat up front, Sidbury began to claw their way back into the game. From another Sidbury free kick, Billy Reed helped the ball on with a deft volley which wrong footed the Tivvy keeper so half time whistle went with the sides level at 2-2. In the second half the midfielders worked their socks off. Tiverton almost re-took the lead when, with the keeper beaten, and the ball goal bound, Kieran Murphy managed to slide in and clear the ball off the line. Subs Todd Lewendon and Matt Broom picked up the pace and Sidbury started to dominate and forced a marvellous save 10 minutes from time. Sidbury thought they had won the game in the last minute when they had the ball in the net, but it was judged to be off-side. So with just a matter of seconds remaining and extra-time looming, Tivvy broke straight through the middle, rounded the keeper and dealt United a devastating blow, with a well-taken match winning goal. Despite United conceding three goals, keeper Daryl Young had another good game between the sticks and is proving to be an asset.So, a disappointing result but a performance which the boys can carry over into the remaining league fixtures. Excellent game lads. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I'm proud of you all.l In a hard fought match against Exmouth Amateurs, Ottery Firegirls U11s came out 1-0 victors, writes Steve Flinders. This game was a six pointer for the Ottery Firegirls who needed to pick up points on Exmouth to rekindle their title hopes. Ottery started the game brightly and it didn't take long for Maya Elston to find the back of the net after about 10 minutes. The game was open with opportunities at either end, however, Ottery stood tall and battled hard to gain a brilliant victory and three hard-earned points.Maya Elston won Girl of the Match for her goal and hard work throughout the game. l Ottery FC under-11s, playing at home, beat close rivals West Exe 2-1, the visitors having fought back for a draw on their last meeting, writes Paul Swingler. The first half started at a good pace with both teams pushing for the breakthrough. Ottery were unlucky not to take the lead when Connor Swingler was brought down outside the box. The consequent free kick looked goal bound, only for it to come down off the crossbar and rebound of the post for the defence to clear the danger. Ottery took the lead when Charlie Norris rose to head the ball home off a cross from the left. West Exe levelled when a long range shot gave Nathan Gooding in goal no chance.Gooding looked unbeatable in the second half which was keenly contested. Ottery's defenders Matti Galan, Ryan Tucker-Swift and Archie Jenkins looked solid and Ottery began to get on top. With West Exe's midfield tiring, Ottery's midfield - Jordan Rodgers, Oliver Bird, Harry McNamara-Campbell, Connor Swingler and James Billing - dug deep and were rewarded when Man of the Match, Charlie Norris, followed up on a shot which the keeper fumbled, and scrambled the ball home for the winner. l In a derby match Sidmouth FC Viking Warriors U10s beat West Hill Wasps 4-3 at Tipton St John, write Steve Flinders and Jo Newbery. A sunny, crisp Saturday morning saw both sides trying to play football and break forward at every opportunity. The Warriors took the lead when a long throw found Harvey Sargent, who left the Wasps' keeper Calum Hardwick no chance. Straight from the restart, a through-ball from Tom Badcott set up Tom Collins to make it all square. Kyle Stone had a shot blocked by the Sidmouth keeper but fine play between Joe Miller and Ollie Jarrett saw Connor Murphy finish with a great turn and shot.The Warriors then made it 3-1 when a well-taken corner kick from the right was headed in by Jamie Newbery. The Wasps pushed forward and, just before half time, Kyle Stone scored with a long shot.In the second half, some great defensive work by Tom Hayes broke up another Warriors' attack before the best move of the game, started by Ricky Pollington, found Tom Collins who set up Kyle Stone. His shot was parried and Josh Goddard followed up well to level the scores. Wasps looked the stronger side but a breakaway saw Ben Miller follow up an Alex Stone shot to steal the win. Wasps were unlucky not to get anything from the game.In the second WEST HILL WASPS' match it was SIDMOUTH RAIDERS U10s who started the brightest and some good defending by Christian Shaw was eventually cleared by Alex Flinders. Wasps started to push forward and Kyle Stone and Tom Collins had shots unrewarded. The Raiders broke the deadlock just before half time when a low shot from Freddie King found the net.The Raiders made it 2-0 soon after the break when a cross-cum-shot from Johnny Dunn found the top corner. This spurred the Wasps on and Sean Jepson's shot squeezed its way under the keeper to make it 2-1. Soon after, Ricky Pollington beat his man in the middle and threaded the ball to Tom Collins who scored to level. Wasps weren't going to be denied and Tom Collins turned in Sean Jepson's low shot for a deserved 3-2 win.The Wasps' Man of the Match was Tom Hayes for outstanding defensive work.Sidmouth Warriors U10s were far too strong for the WEST HILL Hornets and opened the scoring in a 6-0 win when Alex Stone tapped in after a goalmouth scramble, writes Jo Newbery. Stone got his second with a fantastic shot from the half-way line, and Joe Miller made a fine save from the Hornets' only attack of the half. In the second half, Sidmouth continued to dominate and a great move by Harvey Sargent and Stone enabled Ollie Jarrett to smash the ball home. Jarrett had a tap in for Sidmouth's fourth and then Joe Miller had a blistering finish for the fifth. Jamie Newbery completed the scoring with a great shot that just crept in the corner.l West Hill Hornets U10s lost 4-2 to Sidmouth U10s RAIDERS, writes Kim Lever.Raiders dominated the first half, with two quick goals from Johnny Dunn, before James Clarke scored from Roel Ruigrok's corner.In the second half, Johnny Dunn claimed his hat-trick, West Hill replying with two consolation goals from Man of the Match Seb Horrwer.l Sidmouth FC Viking Raiders U10s dominated their match with Heavitree 2nds, winning 6-0, writes Kim Lever There was great passing and an early goal from Freddie King, with a second goal just before half time from Johnny Dunn after lots of goalmouth action.In the second half, King scored the third goal and quickly completed his hat-trick. Will Counsell scored the next, his goal nicely set up by Roel Ruigrok. James Clarke scored the final goal.lSIDMOUTH FC VIKING Raiders U10s put pressure on Heavitree 1st team from the start and won 2-1, writes Kim Lever.Heavitree took the lead with an own goal, only for Johnny Dunn to equalise almost immediately. The second half saw some good defending from Jonathon Surtees to keep Heavitree at bay, but with seconds to go Freddie King scored the winner.In the Under 10s Plate, Tyler Hillier scored for Sidmouth Raiders as they lost 3-1 to Brixington Blues. They lost to Central City 2-0 but beat Cully Reds 1-0, Will Counsell scoring and West Hill Wasps 4-0 with goals from James Clarke, Johnny Dunn, Freddie King and Will Counsell.After a two week break SIDMOUTH FC VIKINGS RAIDERS U9s lost 4-1 to COUNTESS WEAR, but the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game, writes Paul Buckland. Raiders were unlucky to go 1-0 down early on with an unstoppable long-range effort and hit straight back with front pairing Adam Harris and Jordan Parsons linking up well to get behind the Countess defenders. Harris scored from close range. Countess Wear who grabbed three more goals from long range efforts. Strong defending from Joe Tweedy and Drew Birkhead, and a Man of the Match performance from substitute goalie Jack Rowlands, prevented more goals. Team: Toby Gilbody, Jack Rowlands, Drew Birkhead, Joe Tweedy, Jack Gibson, Scott Hughes, Reuben Raffel, Adam Harris, Jordan Parsons. SIDMOUTH FC VIKING WARRIORS U9s continued their good form with a convincing 2-1 win over Countess Wear, writes Paul Buckland. From the whistle the Warriors put Countess Wear under strong pressure, midfielders Joe Lowe Ethan Mead and George Harris were bossing the game. Lowe's strong tackling, Mead's great runs down the wing and Harris's skill on the ball ensured it was difficult for Countess Wear to start playing. After a string of chances Ben Goss opened the scoring, but against the run of play Countess Wear equalised. Warriors piled more pressure on Wear's defence resulting in endless corners. Eventually Ethan Mead latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box to smash home for 2-1. In the second half Countess Wear came out a stronger team but found the defenders solid. Keeper Tobi Pugsley was in top form pouncing on and keeping the ball safe in front of goal even after late pressure. Striker Joseph Buckland and winger Tom Woodruff both had fine efforts saved by the keeper. Great team performance ladsTeam: Tobi Pugsley, Kade Hayman, Matt Jones, Ethan Mead, George Harris, Joe Lowe, Tom Woodruff, Joseph Buckland, Ben Gosse. Sidmouth Town U8s Warriors drew 2-2 with Stoke Hill, who were expected to be their toughest test of the season, writes Alex Spalding.It was in a match between two skilful, determined sides. Twice Sidmouth went ahead, first through Louis Spalding, then James Emmett, twice Stoke Hill equalised. Keepers at both ends were busy, making great saves. Upfront Jack Miller, supported by Toby Garrick, kept Stoke Hill defenders busy. Sidmouth retained the ball well but the small, bobbly pitch made space hard to find and accurate passing difficult. James Emmett was Man of the Match for outstanding goalkeeping and defending.Against West Exe, SIDMOUTH FC VIKING WARRIORS U8s overcame difficult conditions with one of their hardest-working performances to win 3-0. The trio of Archie Marchant, William Ashby and Josh Allen barely allowed West Exe to cross the half-way line.Adventurous attacks soon produced goals: Lucas Richardson and Jay Harris hitting the mark, topped off by a goal-of-the-season contender from Louis Spalding, a 15-yard-cracker which flew into the top corner. Archie Marchant was Man of the Match for his great tackling and attacking play.Sidmouth: Josh Allen, William Ashby, James Emmett, Toby Garrick, Jay Harris, Archie Marchant, Jack Miller, Lucas Richardson, Louis Spalding.