Sidmouth Town shared four goals in a thrilling South West Peninsula League Easter Division opening day draw with Torridgeside.

An excellent Manstone Lane turnout saw the Vikings taken to the pitch in their new kit sponsored by Prospect Plaice.

Town began brightly as quite clearly the travelling had taken its toll on last season’s surprise package.

However, With 25 minutes played, and against the run of play, the visitors took the lead when James Clampin got caught in possession, he subsequently hauled his man down, leaving the excellent official no choice but to award a spot kick and a yellow card for Clampin.

Harry Stevens stepped up and placed calmly passed the Vikings keeper Josh Mclean. The home response was excellent and they were soon camped in the Torridgeside final third.

Nathan Antat, Jonny Holding and Jordan Bastin all went close and it was a relieved visiting back line and goalkeeper that welcomed the half-time whistle with their side still one goal to the good.

What ever Town boss Josh Stunell said during the break clearly worked for, within two minutes of the restart, the Vikings were level. The goal was one of quality for, when the impressive Tom Tricker received the ball 25-yards from goal, he looked up and unleashed a stunning left foot shot that flew beyond the fully stretched glovesman and into the net.

With 22 minutes remaining Town took the lead and again Tricker was involved, this time playing a superb pass to release Antat who had timed his run to perfection, and, when faced with a one-on-one with the Torridgeside goalkeeper, calmly kept his nerve to round the glovesman and pass the ball into the empty net..

Torridgeside looked well-organised and always carried a threat and it was clear to the home faithful that a third goal might well be needed.

Alas, a home third was not forthcoming and the visitors struck the game’s fourth and final goal.

Unfortunately for Tricker, who had earlier sustained a head injury, he lost the flight of a long-ball and this allowed Nathan Walter to finish off a Harry Stevens cross.

Torridgeside went for broke in the last ten minutes and had opportunities to win the game, but some woeful finishing and solid goalkeeping ensured the points were shared on an entertaining afternoon.