Sidmouth HC

A PURPLE patch early in the second half helped Sidmouth to secure the double over Ottery Crickets in this derby match.

The match was delayed by more than an hour due a miscommunication, resulting in Ottery failing to arrive in time at the Sidmouth pitch. With the home pitch booked for other matches in the afternoon, frantic phone calls were made to rearrange the fixture to be played at Colyton.

Honours during the first half were shared. Both sides went close to scoring but it was Sidmouth that had the clearest chance when a penalty flick was awarded after a goal-bound shot was kept out by an Ottery foot.

Up stepped captain Simon Olive to take the flick, only to see it bounce wide of the goal.

Ottery took full advantage of the reprieve and claimed a goal from a good passing routine.

The lead only lasted a few seconds with Sidmouth going back on to the offensive and Mike Johnson got the final touch to level the scores.

The rest of the half went along similar lines as earlier, with the defenders maintaining the upper hand for both teams.

Sidmouth started the second half at a canter.

Within two minutes of the restart, Scott Rumens had given them the lead.

He extended that a few minutes later to give Sidmouth more control of the match.

Ottery refused to lie down and continued to generate their own attacks but the defensive line-up of John Goodwin, Neal Coles, Laurence Cole and Olive kept the visitors at bay.

Sidmouth confirmed the points with two strikes by youngster Byron Fitzgerald.

Ottery scored a second consolation goal, late on in the match, but it was Sidmouth that claimed the three points.

By Andrew Coley

Sidmouth HC Men's 3rd XI 5, Ottery Crickets 2