Sidmouth Town Reserves are through to the semi-finals of the Devon Senior Cup after a superb 3-0 home success over Plymouth and West Devon outfit Maristowe.

The Man of the Match on this occasion surely has to be Town groundsman Ken Mortimore, who worked his magic on the Manstone Lane surface to ensure the game went ahead on a day when, for the sixth Saturday running since the start of the year, local football suffered another big hit in terms of the number of matches that were not played.

Town started well, but the final pass was too often wayward and it was the visiting side who fashioned the first serious chances of the game, twice breaking clean through.

Town glovesman Rob Glukowski saved well in the first instance and made himself big the second time, bravely narrowing the angle. When the deadlock was eventually broken it was with a superb goal, with Damien Armes rifling a shot that arrowed its way into the net.

Falling behind seemed to spur the visitors to a more ‘physical approach’ and the young Vikings did well to hold their discipline and not react!

During the half-time break, the management learnt that simply keeping your feet on the surface – one that got heavier and heavier as the contest wore on – was something of a major challenge!

After the break, an improved performance from the Vikings saw them create further chances, but all went begging.

Scott Hughes did find the back of the net, but his ‘goal’ was harshly adjudged to be offside!

However, undeterred, the hosts kept the momentum going and Aidy Parr doubled the home lead, thundering the ball home from 30 yards. Bizarrely, as the pitch got worse the Vikings started playing superb football and could have added a few more goals as their fitness was far greater than that of the visitors. The final goal came when Tom Moore headed home at the far post after great play from Matt Salter to seal the win.

A mention for the referee, who did well to remain composed when the guests tried intimidate him!

Town bosses Gary Bargery and Paddy Thomas were rightly proud of the players, who showed spirit and determination with a gutsy display. This Saturday (February 17), the Town second team return to Macron League Division One action when they entertain Lapford at Manstone Lane (3pm).