Sidmouth Town were 2-0 winners over visiting Totnes and Dartington to extend their unbeaten sequence to three games.

The Vikings welcomed back their inspirational midfielder Ryan Davies whose appearances so far this term have been limited due to injury.

Both sides started well, but torrential rain, that began to teem down right on kick-off, made underfoot conditions very difficult. As the rain eased the quality of football on show at Manstone Lane significantly improved.

The visitors were able to draft in the talented Charlie Johansen as Western League side Buckland Athletic were without a game and Johansen was a constant threat, but was expertly dealt with by the vastly experienced Neil Pointing at right back who had to have his wits about him to minimise the teenagers trickery. On the odd occasion that Johansen was able to get past Pointing, goalkeeper Dan Stapleton was there to provide excellent cover.

Midway through the half Sidmouth started to control proceedings, but failed to find the killer pass to the front men.

However, on the half hour, striker Jamie Orchard took matters into his own hands and, after receiving the ball some 40 yards from goal he ran at the back line, rode a tackle or two and then unleashed a terrific left footed strike from 20 yards that fizzed off the surface and into the net. Town took the one goal advantage into the break.

During the interval the Vikings made a change, with recent signing Dan Norman coming into the side to replace the injured Nathan Antat. Norman nearly made an immediate impact for, with his very first touch, he received the ball just on the edge of the 18-yard line and his well hit effort flew narrowly wide.

As composed and assured the Vikings looked Totnes and Dartington ere always a threat and they needed Stapleton to field a few smart efforts. With 15 minutes remaining the South Devon side put the hosts under serious pressure, winning six corners in a short space of time. However, all were expertly dealt with by a confident home back line.

With 10 minutes remaining Norman put the game to bed when, after beating the offside trap, he raced clear before calmly drilling the ball past the out-rushing glovesman.

Town team: Stapleton, Pointing, Newbery (C), Clampin, Wellman, Swingler, Jones, Davies, Bowditch, Antat & Orchard. Used Subs: Binion, Norman and Clenahan.

Star Man – Jamie Orchard