Sidmouth Town fourth team returned to winning ways with a 6-5 success over Sandford Reserves.

This latest game must have been a superb watch for the casual observer, but it was certainly not the sort of game either coach would have particularly enjoyed – certainly with regard to heart rate!

The young Sidmouth team, bolstered with some experienced players from within the club, started slowly and really made hard work of the first 20 minutes, but from then until the end of the first half they put Sandford to the sword, racking up a 5-0 half-time lead.

Matthew Rasmussen marked his return to the club with one of the goals while Ollie Turton (2), Jack Miller and Louis Adey also found the back of the net during a dominant first-half display.

The half-time discussion led by the coaching staff centred on the need to maintain the high tempo, deny the opposition a ‘consolation goal’ and continue to look for further goals.

However, five minutes into the second half, the Mid Devon side pulled a goal back, but the Town response was slick, swift and positive and midfielder Ollie Jarrett restored the five-goal difference with a clinical finish.

Unfortunately, for the home side, it was Sandford who found their rhythm on a deteriorating surface which the Vikings struggled to cope with.

In what was a ‘mad’ final 20 minutes, Sandford scored four more and were pressing with real intent looking for an equaliser when the final whistle was blown – much to the relief of the home side!

The result proved to be even more special when news filtered through of defeat for promotion chasing rivals Thorverton.

On Saturday, the fourth team are in home action at Byes Lane where the opposition is set to be Cheriton Fitzpaine.