Junior football round-up

They quickly got back in the groove. Against a decent West Hill side they played some sparkling football - quality touches, short crisp passes - and battled superbly.

After Sidmouth hit the post twice, Matt Salter, Jack Miller and Louis Spalding threaded their way past West Hill's defence, Spalding finishing well.

Meanwhile, defenders Archie Marchant and Toby Garrick swept up any danger, both showing great touch and awareness. In the second half, Lucas Richardson, in particular, was a handful on the right wing, and Matt Salter scored a great individual goal from 15 yards. West Hill scrambled one back to give spectators a rather nervy last five minutes, but Sidmouth held it together for an excellent 2-1 win. Archie Marchant was Man of the Match.

CS Juve were awkward opponents, quite defensive, but our lads quickly got into their stride and created chance after chance - only alert Juve goalkeeping kept the scores level.

Eventually Sidmouth broke the deadlock, a Matt Salter strike deftly diverted past the keeper by Will Ashby.

Jay Harris was a natural at unfamiliar left-back, while in goal Ben Plowden was ever vigilant. Will Ashby spun the ball backwards into the net - amazing! - for his second, then broke ahead and chipped the keeper skilfully to complete a superb hat-trick, earning him Man of the Match and the only name on the scoresheet in the 3-0 result.

This was a morning when it all came together, and the perfect start to 2011 - well done lads!

Sidmouth Town Junior Vikings U9 Raiders beat Stoke Hill U9s 3-1, writes Grant Mitchell.

Raiders first league game since November 6 was an even first half encounter with Ben Scrivens defending well against the opposing winger and Theo Byrne and Finlay Morgan tackling strongly in midfield.

Jake Jones worked across the front line to keep Stoke Hill on their toes. However, Stoke Hill took the lead with a low shot where previously Isaac James had once again made two fine saves and caught everything cleanly.

An inspired half time team talk and tactical changes by coach Tony West saw a totally different second half.

George Salter’s aggressive ball winning linked midfield to attack, allowing an eager Cole Monaghan space to make telling passes. Oliver Jones and Thomas West gave Stoke Hill no attacking room, and Scott Gibson drifted in from wide to hit a shot between the keeper and near post for the equaliser.

Minutes later another fierce Scott Gibson shot made it 2-1 after great interplay. Cole Monaghan sent Alex Mitchell free to make it 3-1 with Stoke Hill looking shocked at the turn in fortunes and effectively ending the contest.

Sidmouth Raiders U9s went on to beat Broadclyst SC U9s 2-0.

A defensive Broadclyst, relying on long range shots, made it hard work for Raiders in the first half. Shots by Cole Monaghan and Scott Gibson, along with a series of corners, failed to break down the opposition.

Isaac James continued his safe hands performances and Ben Scrivens and Thomas West defended when required with strong clearances. Jake Jones harried and hustled the defenders as George Salter tried to weave an opening.

Cue the half time team talk and once again a series of inspired changes.

Theo Byrne and Finlay Morgan worked in tandem, pushing forward from midfield whilst Oliver Jones ensured the opposition’s only player of threat failed to create any further problems. Alex Mitchell added flair upfront and won a penalty.

Nervy things penalties, especially at 0-0. Alex dispatched top corner 1-0. Ping pong in the Broadclyst penalty area saw Theo Byrne charge down a clearance and follow up for 2-0. Further opportunities through a Finlay Morgan shot just wide threatened more goals as Broadclyst lost shape and hope along with at times their self discipline.

This was two good wins for Raiders having dusted off the rustiness from constant postponements and the Christmas selection boxes. There’s a big challenge next week away in the cup to CS Tigers.

Sidmouth under-12s played their first match in a month and were cruelly denied victory, with the game against Colyton finishing 3-3, writes Sean Murphy.

Sidmouth started the stronger with the wind at their backs, and they duly took the lead after about 15 minutes when Connor Murphy finished from a tight angle.

Colyton started to creep back into the game as the half went on and got an equaliser just before half time when keeper Tyler Hillier made a good save but the Colyton forward squeezed the rebound in off the post.

Buoyed by that goal, Colyton started the second half on the front foot but the back four of Billy Rudolph, Jamie Newbery, Jonathan Surtees and James Clarke were dogged in their defence of their goal.

Colyton were awarded a goal after a scramble which was hotly disputed. Although upset by that decision Sidmouth didn't let it affect them and worked their way back into the game and were rewarded when Jonny Dunn slid in ahead of the keeper to equalise.

This set up a grandstand finish with both teams really going for the win. Colyton re-took the lead from a shot from the edge of the area but, once again, Sidmouth weren't down hearted and immediately set about getting another equaliser.

They were denied a penalty shout, but Ben Miller came to the rescue with another goal from a tight angle.

Manager Sean Murphy said: "This wasn't our best performance of the season but the lads showed real character and determination to come from behind twice and, we could have collected all three points."

Sidmouth U10 Raiders beat CS Juve 3-0, writes Martin Spiller.

The Raiders started the first games of 2011 with two home wins.

Taking on CS Juve first, the Raiders looked strong in defence as the wind blew against them, making it hard work.

Throughout the first half, the Raiders had many near misses, especially a skimmed post by Louis Adey.

In the second half, and having the advantage of the wind behind them, it was not long before Jed scored from a right wing pass from Jacob Rice.

It was within minutes, on a rebound from the goalie, that Luke Spiller scored the second goal.

The Raiders’ attempts carried on but CS Juve goalie kept on saving them. Five minutes from the end Luke Spiller came from the right wing and passed to Jacob Rice to score the third, Hats off to Thomas Burhop, Thomas Blackham and Ben Goodier in defence, who were rocks throughout the game.

Man of Match was George Lowe

Sidmouth U10 Raiders went on to beat West hill Wasps 3- 0.

The second game was against West Hill Wasps. Thomas Moore, Jed and Jacob looked comfortable passing up the pitch.

It was not long before a corner was rewarded with a goal from Jed. West Hill were strong, but Ben Goodier and Thomas Blackham defended strongly, never letting their team down.

The first half ended 1-0. In the second half the Raiders were against the wind again, but the determination to push forward was rewarded with a great goal from Louis Adey, passed from Thomas Moore on the left wing.

The whole team became stronger as they played and this resulted in a final goal from Thomas Moore.

Man of the Match was Jacob Rice. Well done team. Two great wins