Miller and Johnson at the double in Town thirds win

Sidmouth Town thirds were 5-1 winners when they journeyed to Starcross to take on Macron League Division Seven basement boys HT Dons.

However, despite having won just one game all season against a Town thirds who had won five of their past six, it was the home side who began well and so, for the opening half hour, the Vikings were on the back foot!

Adding to the Town woes was that the team looked lethargic and their lack of communication made them appear unusually vulnerable at the back.

However, everything changed when Ollie Turton made a darting run, riding a number of challenges before his progress was blocked by the last defender. The ball broke free towards Richard Johnson who struck the sweetest of volleys to see the ball arrow its way into the net!

Scorer then turned provider to tee up Joe Gosse to drill the ball home and make it 2-0 at the break.

During the break the Town management urged the team to play with greater tempo.

Despite the words of wisdom, Town were again sluggish early in the second half until Gosse played a delightful ball into the area where Turton headed it powerfully past the keeper.

Johnson netted his second and a brace from Ben Miller completed the scoring.

Miller’s first was a superb goal, a glancing header to direct a terrific cross from Matty Skelding into the net.

The man of the match award went to Connor Murphy who was at the heart of many of Sidmouth’s best moves on the day.

This Saturday (February 4), Town thirds are away to an Exmouth Spartans sided that sit fifth, one place and two points behind Town in the table.