Sidmouth Town were beaten 3-1 when they visited Stoke Gabriel for their latest South West Peninsula League, Eastern Division match.

The Vikings got off to the worst possible start with the home side netting inside the opening five minutes when Town’s experienced centre back Neil Pointing lost his footing and this gave Stoke Gabriel latest signing – current Torquay United non-contract player Sean Finch – the simplest of chances to slot the ball past Jamie Harvey in the Town goal.

The hosts were unable to add to that early goal and the Vikings, with the midfield trio Tyler Wellman, Nathan Antat and Riki Pitter, ensuring their side dominated possession, were good value for their 20th minute equaliser.

The scorer was Rikki Pitter with a goal that will surely be ‘right up there with the season’s best’ by next May! Pitter collected the ball some 35 yards from goal, looked up, and promptly drilled the ball beyond the fully stretched Scott Corderoy (another Torquay United asset) in the Stoke goal.

The Vikings were close to taking the lead, but Shaun Densham fired over when well placed.

Town were dealt a huge blow when they lost influential teenager Wellman to injury just before half-time. A rash challenge on Wellman just before the break meant that the teenager watched the rest of the game nursing a damaged ankle, much to the frustration of the Vikings management.

Sidmouth started the second half brightly, but another early goal from Finch – a clinical finish from the talented hit man – set them back.

Once back in the lead, the home side grew in confidence and they made the game safe with Tom Kelly getting on the end of a Dean Stevens free-kick in the 70th minute.

The last 15 minutes was a scrappy affair, with Sidmouth doing extremely well to withstand the home onslaught, Finch, Kelly and Stevens all going close. At the other end Sidmouth’s Dan Norman, Connor Swingler and Densham had a couple of half chances.

Sidmouth put in a very good performance in the first half but were undone in the second by Stoke Gabriel’s additional quality.

Sidmouth From: Harvey, Binion, Pointing, Booth, White, Wellman, Antat (C), Densham, Norman, Swingler. Used Subs: Hughes, Ogley, Farrington

Star Man – Riki Pitter