Sidmouth Raiders Under-13s were beaten 5-1 by South Molton, but the score line most certainly did not reflect the all-round performance put in by Raiders.

South Molton are new to the league and look like being ‘the team to beat’.

Raiders played confidently, moving the ball around well, creating plenty of chances, defending strongly, and never giving up the fight. However, the opposition were truly impressive and took an 11th minute lead.

Ten minutes later Raiders goalkeeper Thomas Craig made a simply stunning save, somehow plucking the ball out from under the crossbar, when it was already behind him and heading into the net!

South Molton did go on and score two more to lead 3-0 at half-time. In the second half, and despite the clear quality of the opposition, Raiders continued to give as good as they got. They got a goal back when Jack Symington coolly slotted home from distance before both Levi Johnson and Elliot Annings went close after excellent build-up play involving the whole team.

South Molton brought their huge captain back on to steady the ship, bringing them

two more goals and an end to the contest.

Despite the score line, the performance throughout the Raiders team demonstrated the

progress the boys have made under coaches Steve Johnson and Dave Johnson. The

team can look forward confidently to the rest of the season.