Sidmouth Town 0, Exwick Villa 4 Town went into this Graddon Vending Devon Premier Cup tie with plenty of confidence having been 2-0 up against the same opposition in a league encounter just seven days before.

Having made a few changes Town kept the same formation and it seemed from the off that the hosts were very much up for this game, they put the visitors on the back foot and played with good pace and should have gone ahead when they hit the post twice from the same attack.

Jake Boyland was causing Exwick all kinds of trouble and the team as a whole were working hard to stop Villa having much of the ball.

Unfortunately though, a ball down the right flank wasn’t defended against, and the visitors took the lead from what was their first real attack in the game!

Ton be fair to the Vikings, the set back did not stop their continued endeavors and they rattled the frame of the goal once more. The visitors were always a threat on the break and, ten minutes before half-time they doubled their lead with a clinical finish.

The second half began with both sides knowing the third goal of the game would be the crucial, one. Unfortunately for the Vikings it was the visiting side that got it and they added a fourth on the hour mark to kill the game off.

Sidmouth continued to press though and when they won a penalty they were offered a chance to at least notch a consolation. However, typical of their day the keeper made a fine save to keep Alex Raistrick’s well struck spot kick.

Tom Chaplin was named the Town Man of the Match for his tireless display.

Vikings assistant boss Nick Ogden said: “We looked bright and moved the ball well in pretty much the same way as last week, but ultimately not taking our chances cost us dearly. They (Exwick Villa) are an efficient outfit who play a particular way. It’s very different to our style, but it works for them. In the two games we’ve played them we have proved that if you get at their back line they are fragile. Both Paddy (Town boss Paddy Thomas) and I feel we aren’t far off hitting a bit of form and if we can just concentrate for 90 minutes and start making the right decisions with the ball we will be picking up victories.”

On Saturday Town travel to a Liverton side that, despite their basement dwelling status, have picked up of late.

Ogden says: “As long as we keep listening and take the positives from our games with Villa, and keep working hard I am confident we can get a result on our visit to South Devon.”