Last gasp winner but the boys have much to learn

Sidmouth 6, West Exe 1

Sidmouth u-16s started patiently, maintaining possession and playing some really fine football.

And it wasn't long before they opened the scoring with Greg Chaplin crossing into the box to find the foot of Dan Bartlett, writes Marc Colson.

Bartlett scored the second minutes later in a goalmouth scramble.

Jules Hudson found himself on the end of an excellent cross by Tim Lister and Chaplin was rewarded with a goal from a superbly placed shot.

In the second half, Alex Martin found space and had the skill to beat the keeper.

Not to be outdone by the forwards, defender Matt Hill headed in from a well struck corner and Freddy Gardner also belted a shot from a set piece which granny was very pleased with!

West Exe scored a consolation goal in the closing moments but Sidmouth were outstanding on the day and earned the win.

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Sidmouth u-15s 6 Feniton 5

Sidmouth started brightly and soon took the lead when a corner from Barnesy was headed home by Joe Nield, writes Jo Newbery.

Soon it was two when Jon Bastyan tapped in at the far post.

Sidmouth then changed their formation and were soon on the back foot.

Feniton scored one and then a great free kick drew Feniton level.

Keeper Scott Newbery made two great saves to keep Sidmouth level.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Ollie Tollerfield outpaced the defence and smashed the ball past the keeper for a 3-2 Sidmouth half time lead.

In the second half, it was all Feniton, as Sidmouth dropped deeper.

The visitors scored three goals to lead 5-3 with 12 minutes to go.

Sidmouth pulled one back when Barnesy rounded the keeper and scored.

Then Bastyan got his second of the game with a great chip over the keeper.

With a minute to go, Jay Jackson burst through the defence and finished calmly to give Sidmouth a narrow 6-5 win.

Feniton were unlucky to leave Newton Pop with nothing and, if Sidmouth want to get promoted, they are going to have to improve a lot from this showing.

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Sidmouth Junior Vikings u-13s 11, Ottery St Mary u-13s 2

With the absence of coach Matt Bray, team management fell to Graham Briggs who knew the pressure was on from the gentle ribbing on the touch line.

No worries though, Sidmouth fielded a very strong team against a depleted Ottery side and the class soon told.

With an on-fire Zak Smith and Dan Powell taking on men and playing neat one-twos with their team mates, Sidmouth were soon four-nil up, with two goals for both players and a number of close but squandered chances.

Zak then finished a brilliant individual move down the left wing, beating two players before crossing superbly.

The pressure was too great for Ottery and resulted in an own goal.

Before the break Callum Bray struck from the right wing to make it six.

After half time, the team were re-adjusted, ensuring all the hard working squad saw some action.

Zak completed his hat-trick and there were also goals for Chris Willows - a first for the team - Christian Newman and Matt Tipton.

With such a lead, the team took their foot of the gas which resulted in a scrappy goal from Ottery, which they then followed up with a good strike to make the final score 11-2. Another excellent team performance from Sidmouth.

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Sidmouth Town Junior Vikings u-8s Warriors 8,

Colyton A 0

Sidmouth started the game well with some great passing and it wasnt long before they were on the scoresheet with a goal from Jordan Fowler. They had been practising this move in training.

Colyton kept battling but Sidmouth's defence of Louis Stamp, Sam Pyne and Harry Ensell in goal kept them at bay.

Sidmouth came straight back with a loveley one-two with Ollie Pugsley and Louis Morison, for the latter to hit the back of the net, making it 2-0.

Sids' passing was great to watch.

Then Jordan Fowler went solo down the pitch to add a third.

Sidmouth broke away with good team play from Jake Jones, Morison and Ollie Pugsley, who passed to Jordan Fowler to smash the ball in the top corner to make it 4-0.

Colyton lost the ball again in their own half when Morison collected and ran towards the box before making it 5-0.

Tyler Woods played a cross for Ollie Pugsley to slot the ball in the net for a sixth.

Louis Morison scored a seventh and the final goal game right at the end from Fowler.

***

Sidmouth Junior Vikings u-8s Warriors 5, Colyton B 0

Sidmouth started well again with a great run down the pitch from Josh Roberts who squared the ball for Jordan Fowler to score.

A corner was awarded for Sidmouth and Jordan passed it short to Josh who gave the ball back for Jordan to score again.

Great teamwork from Sid's defensive pair of Louis Stamp and Finlay Morgan kept Colyton back.

Tyler Wood played well, providing good through balls for Ollie Pugsley who just missed scoring.

In the second half, Sids came out strongly and eventually they had a corner for Jordan to cross a good ball in for Josh Roberts who scored from an excellent header.

From a fine cross by Ollie Pugsley, Jordan made it 4-0.

Then Sidmouth broke through Colyton's defence for Jordan Fowler to shoot when the ball just crossed the line underneath their goalie.

Great games to watch, boys.

Squad: Harry Ensell, Finlay Morgan, Louis Stamp, Sam Pyne, Jake Jones, Tyler Wood, Louis Morison, Jordan Fowler, Ollie Pugsley, Scott Gibson and Josh Roberts.

***

Sidmouth u-9s Warriors vs Tiverton Whites & Yellows, Newton Poppleford

"Golly, they look big!" said Louis' mum.

"Hmm, we say that every week," Jack's mum replied.

"I think we're just very small."

This anxious pre-match touchline exchange set the tone for a nervy morning against two fancied and unbeaten sides from mid-Devon, writes Alex Spalding.

Whites first: from the kick-off, it was obvious this was a skilful, well-organised side, but they brought out the best in ours.

Tiverton went ahead after five minutes with a lucky long-ranger, but ever-dynamic Lucas Richardson equalised just before half-time.

The second half was a real treat - open, flowing, end-to-end stuff.

Tiverton went ahead, then Louis Spalding put striker Jack Miller through for him to finish superbly, making it 2-2.

A stunning reflex save from keeper Ben Plowden, and countless covering tackles from James Emett, Toby Garrick and Archie Marchant, kept it level.

In the last five minutes, our boys pressed hard for victory, winning a corner which swung in and deflected off a Tiverton player to make it 3-2 at full time.

Match of the season so far!

The Yellows were a total contrast: attritional, niggly, and the second was a very different game.

Tiverton took an early lead into half-time, in spite of Sidmouth's battling, especially from William Ashby on the right.

In the second half, each and every one of the Warriors was outstanding in defence and attack - skilful, hardworking, feisty, qualities Jay Harris in particualr showed in spades.

Lucas Richardson's deserved equaliser was greeted by cheers that could be heard in Honiton! A spicy game finished 1-1.

Another thrilling morning's football which showed the Warriors to be amongst Devon's best u-9 teams - well played!

U-9s Warriors: William Ashby, James Emmett, Toby Garrick, Jay Harris, Archie Marchant, Jack Miller, Ben Plowden, Lucas Richardson, Louis Spalding.

***

Sidmouth Raiders u-9 1, Tiverton Yellow 2

the raiders did us proud with such a strong team to play this week, writes M Spiller.

Tiverton were forced to defend from the start and we had near misses by Louis Adey and Luke Spiller.

Then Tiverton took the ball up the side to score.

The Raiders responded with great defending from Thomas Blackham and Thomas Burhop.

Oran Bramble was doing a great job in goal. Five minutes before half-time, Louis Adey came up the left wing to equalise.

The second half saw Tiverton fight back with a second goal. The Raiders tried very hard but were unlucky with a number of near misses.

Oran Bramble made sure no more goals went in and was voted Man-of-the-Match.

***

Sidmouth Raiders 1, Tiverton White 3

the raiders were very unlucky not to win this game.

In the first half, two penalties were missed and Tiverton had a strong defence which we struggled to get through.

Tiverton took advantage and scored first. We responded with some good footwork from Jacob Rice to level before half-time.

Throughout the second half, the Raiders continued to create chances but missed them.

Tiverton scored two more goals to end the game 3-1 winners.

Well done, Raiders, for your determination throughout both games. Man-of-Match Luke Spiller.

Raiders team: Jacob Rice, Luke Spiller, Louis Adey, Ben Goodier, Thomas Moore, Oran Bramble, George Lowe, Thomas Burhop, Thomas Blackham, Josh Allen.

***

West Hill Wasps u-9s travelled to Tiverton to take on Culm and Moors.

In two very evenly contested games, the Wasps battled hard throughout in difficult conditions to play football, writes Tony Badcott.

The first game against Culm saw the Wasps pressing their defence but the goal the play deserved failed to materialise.

Tom Maunder and Tom English played well at the back, combining with wingers Chris Badcott and Christian Wales to set up a number of chances.

Alas, those chances weren't taken and a breakaway from Culm led to the only goal of the game a couple of minutes from the end.

The second game against Moors saw the Wasps take home the points when a tremendous shot from Stephen Lilley nestled into the top corner of the net with little more than three minutes on the clock.

This was a tremendous team effort as the Wasps came under increasing pressure from Moors.

Goalkeeper Jack Syradd, whose kicking was excellent given the wet conditions, never looked like conceding and received fantastic support from the 'rock' Tom English.

The Wasps continued to try to play good football with Stephen Lilley and Christian Wales at the heart of some slick counter- attacking.

In the end, the greater quality and determination of the Wasps saw them home 1-0.

***

Sidmouth Town Junior Vikings u-8 Raiders 6, Colton 2

This friendly was played over two games, the first very one-sided with the Raiders dominating.

Hat-tricks were scored by Thomas Mead and George Salter - 6-1 to the Raiders.

The second game was a lot closer with the Raiders conceding the only goal of the game two minutes from the final whistle.

Over the two games the Raiders showed superb passing ability and really looked as if they had been playing as a team for many years.

Raiders: Isaac James, Cole Monaghan, Thomas Mead, Richie Drewett, Harry Emmett, George Salter, Toby Neumegen, Ben Scrivens, coach Billy Emmett.