Sidmouth Town went down 3-1 at Teignmouth Town on the second Saturday of the South West Peninsula League Eastern Division season, but the score line does not do justice for the contribution to the Vikings made to an entertaining contest.

The Town cause was certainly not helped by a freak injury before kick-off!

Seventeen-year-old Adam Bartlett was in the warm-up prior to making his Town debut when he suffered a twisted ankle. He bravely started the match, but looked troubled by the injury, though he did make a fine save during the opening exchanges.

A heavy surface did not favour the passing game the Vikings like to play whilst the home team, fielding a lively front line, were contained by a disciplined Town defence.

However, it was a mistake in the Town back line with Tony Cox at fault and the home striker took full advantage to squeeze a shot inside the near post to give Teigns the lead.

Falling behind was a blow to the Vikings and heads dropped temporarily, but they were soon back into the thick of the action and Ashley Small shot wide when he could have done better.

When a cheap free-kick was conceded just outside the area, Teign player-boss Geoff Breslan rifled the ball home to leave Town 2-0 down at the break.

There was an excellent opportunity for Town to strike back straight from the re-start. The home side kick off, passed the ball back and, with the Teign centre backs dithering, Vere took control of the ball, ran towards goal, put the goalkeeper on his behind, and promptly stuck the ball wide!

Town continued to press forward, prompted by the industrious Ash Small and Aaron Doble who seized control of the midfield area.

With full-backs Kieran White and substitute Ferenc Bodor carrying a constant threat to the home side it was no more than Town deserved when a Bodor cross was superbly tucked away by the lively Rikki Pitter.

Town fashioned further chances, but all were spurned with Vere again having a good sight of the home goal.

At the other end of the pitch an organised Town back line restricted the Teigns to the occasional long-range shot.

However, just as they had done when the home side broke the deadlock, Town were their own worst enemies and, when Cox and Matt Clenahan made a hash of things, the home side again made them pay to score a third goal to bank the points.

Given the chances and the territorial advantage the Vikings enjoyed, they were most unfortunate not to being something back with them to East Devon.

However, they’ll need to cut out the individual errors if they are to prosper in future such contests.