SOHS V 5, SOHC VI 1 The in-house meeting between sixth placed Sidmouth and Ottery fifths and their ninth placed club colleagues the sixths went the way of the table placings.

Three points for either team would make a big different to their league fortunes, so both were up for the much anticipated contest. A win for the sixths would be their first, whilst a win for the fifths would propel them up to fourth, at least for the part of the afternoon.

The sixths began the brighter pressing high up the pitch and using the spaces well. They struck first when Andy Kitchener made clinical use of some space to fire home.

It took just a couple of minutes for parity to be restored when Billy Rudolph received the ball on the left, drove forward, connected with Steve Ellison and the latter picked out Dan Vincent who applied a polished finish.

Vincent the put his side ahead after his Father Stewart crossed from the right.

Another Vincent senior cross was then bundled home by Ellison to make it 3-1.

Despite trailing by two goals the sixths were always a threat who went close on a number of occasions before Stewart Vincent, having seen his initial shot saved, reverse sticked home the rebound to send the fifths into the break with a 4-1 lead.

The second half saw the sixth team come storming back into the contest. They re-focused, increased their pressing and passed well, but despite genuine industry and no s mall measure of quality play, they were unable to claw a goal back. The only score of the second period came late on when Nigel Dupain advanced to shoot through a packed D to score at the left post.

Thanks are due to both Gareth Pettis and Mike Dutton for officiating the match.

The sixths travel to Yeovil and Sherborne for this weekend’s match whilst the fifths meet top of the table Minehead at Sidmouth at 1030hrs. Spectators – especially those making noise, are most welcome!