Sidmouth Under-9s Raiders and Warriors travelled to Exminster to play St Martins and Newton Knights in a hastily switched fixture after Sidmouth’s home pitch was deemed unplayable.

In their first game the Warriors found themselves up against a well drilled St Martins team, with early passages of play even.

Gradually Sidmouth started to put some passes together and, thanks to an excellent team move, Man of the Match Callum French was able to score from close range. In the second half Sidmouth battled and started to dominate, Toby Edmunds scored with a lovely deft chip over the keeper and with an excellent defensive shift from Matthew Dunford the game ended 3-0 to the Warriors.

In the second game against Newton Knights the Warriors were able to demonstrate some of the skills learnt on the training ground.

Sidmouth scored from the first corner of the game and went on to find plenty of space and were finding plenty of space. Jamie Pitter and Man of the Match Finn Upsher ran tirelessly at the opposition, and, with excellent contributions from Dev Nair and Tom Cload, striker Ben Elsom was able to help himself to six goals.

The game ended with Sidmouth comfortably ahead, but praise must be given to Newton for never dropping their heads.

The Raiders took control from the start in their opening fixture against Newton Knights, with David Clapp scoring an early hat-trick and other goals coming from Thomas Fletcher and Michal Bielawski in what was a clinical first half performance from the team.

The second half saw the Raiders ring the changes, but still keep the pressure on, with Man of the Match Harrison Howe playing his first match for the team, scoring a brace. All the players contributed to what was an excellent all-round performance.

St Martins were a different proposition for the Raiders, and, within a few first half minutes had raced into a three-goal goal lead.

As the half wore on with Liam Dalton helping to shore up the defence and, at the other end of the pitch, Raiders started to create chances of their own.

After the break Raiders found a gear similar to the one they’d used earlier in the morning. They moved the ball around well and looked confident in all areas.

Joe Anning scored to get them back into the game. However, that proved to be as good as it got for Raiders who slipped to defeat after that sluggish start.