Having previously lost to Crickets in the league, Sidmouth were determined to win this cup match.

Sidmouth HC Men 3,

Ottery Crickets 2

Having previously lost to Crickets in the league, Sidmouth were determined to win this cup match.

Sidmouth had a slow start to the game with Ottery dominating most of the first half, but Sidmouth's defence held strong, with Chris Lewis taking up the centre back position for the first time this season and Tom Vanstone stepping up a level from the A team.

Towards the middle of the first half, Sidmouth had a quick break and managed to get a short corner. With Paul Gannon missing from the squad, Ian Brown stepped up to the challenge. With a good push from Dan Devine and with an equally good stop from Andrew Welch, Brown hit the ball with great power striking the backboard past former Sidmouth player Henry Street in the process. This put Sidmouth 1-0 up and, more importantly, gave Brown the first ever competitive goal of his career!

Ottery were quick to close down the ball and were putting Sidmouth, and Welch, under a lot of pressure. With the odd decision going against him, his temper began to flare.

With good play from Ottery they managed to get themselves inside the Sidmouth D and got off a reverse stick shot for the equaliser.

They scored another goal from a short corner making the score 2-1 to Crickets. After the whistle had gone for half time, Welch's conversation with the umpires resulted in a yellow card.

Down to 10 men Sidmouth started the second half with renewed effort, but, a couple of minutes into the second half Graham Pidgeon knocked the ball away petulantly after the whistle had gone, earning a yellow card. Welch returned to the pitch, Sidmouth started to control the game and were dictating the pace. A good run from George Powell gave Sidmouth a short corner. From the push out, Welch found himself on the ball and, with glory in his eyes, attempted a flick, only to be disappointed when the keeper saved his shot. The ball was well followed up by Tom Mason, who levelled the scores.

Tom Mason forced his way into the Ottery D and when his shot was blocked by a defender's body preventing a certain goal, a penalty flick was awarded. Welch stepped up to the mark and placed the ball neatly into the back of the net, putting Sidmouth in front.

Ottery were starting to get frustrated and they were constantly down to 10 men in the closing stages. Sidmouth played the ball around with one eye on the clock, and now go through to the next round.