Sidmouth Warriors U13s played their last friendly before the season starts next week against a spirited Exmouth Town, writes Simon Jones.

The score at half time was 9-0 but in all honesty could have been a lot more. Perez in goal had very little to do.

For the first half the Warriors played some classy football. Every tackle they won, they were always first to the ball, and played some lovely passing moves. Once the first goal was scored from close range by Buckland, the Warriors totally dominated proceedings. Mead, Woodruff and De Gruchy were strong at the back. Man of the Match Jones was outstanding and dictated a lot of play from the back with some delightful passing.

The second half proved a lot tougher with Exmouth upping their game and playing with pride. Lowe and an own goal completed the scoring.

McCullin won everything in midfield and with Gosse enjoying his free role Cooke up front linked up really well with Silk and Buckland on the wings. Further goals from Cooke 2, Silk 2 and Gosse put the Warriors 6 up after only 20 minutes. Alex Thomas was then introduced to the proceedings and within 10 minutes scored 2 outstanding goals before Cooke wrapped up his hatrick.

The Warriors defence held firm with Perez still not having a lot to do. The Warriors continued to create chances especially through Jones and Buckland down the left. Eliot Perez should have scored before Lowe and an own goal wrapped up the scoring. The confidence everyone gained from this performance can only help with the league campaign ahead.

Team; Ollie Perez, Matt Jones, Ethan Mead, Kade Hayman, Jack Silk, Joe Lowe, Toby De Gruchy, Ben Gosse, Elliot Perez, Tom Cooke , Alex Thomas, James McCullin, Tom Woodruff and Joe Buckland.

wWarriors U12s - Stoke Hill 4, Sidmouth Warriors 2

On a lovely sunny morning Sidmouth U12 Warriors started slowly against long-time rivals Stoke Hill, so slowly in fact they were 3-0 down after 20 minutes, writes Alex Spalding.

Eventually the boys got going, and were energised by Jay Harris pulling it back to 3-1 when he won a 50/50 with their keeper and scored.

The Warriors came to life in the second half. James Emmett made his presence felt at holding mid, which with new keeper Jack Syradd’s confidence and good distribution gave Warriors a secure base from which to attack. Ben Plowden duly pulled the ball back from their bye-line across goal, for Louis Spalding to finish. With five minutes to go Stoke Hill broke and scored their fourth. A sharp lesson in starting sharply.