Sidmouth Town fielded five 16-year-olds in their matchday squad for the South West Peninsula League meeting with Bovey Tracey at Manstone Lane, writes Steve Birley.

With such a youthful side it was perhaps no surprise that the Vikings were swiftly into their stride and, no more than they deserved in a bright opening, when teenager Connor Swingler, who last year was playing for Ottery St Mary in Fresha League Division Six, ghosted in at the far post to tap home a cross from Tony Cox.

The home domination continued and the lead was doubled on 30 minutes when the impressive Ryan Davies netted his first goal for the Vikings.

The visitors came back into the contest in the final 15 minutes of the first half during which time Town glovesman Alex Bowring made a couple of superb saves to see his side into the break with a 2-0 lead.

During the interval Town boss Josh Stunell championed his side about the need to be strong and disciplined with their defensive work in the early stages of the second half as Bovey Tracey were bound to start with greater tempo.

However, the words fell on seemingly deaf ears for, within a minute of the restart, the visitors had the ball, in the home net!

Glovesman Alex Bowring opted to punch clear and the ball fell to Daniel Taylor who chipped it the far post where Jamie Orchard – who last year led the line for the Devon Under-16 side, was unmarked and able to head his side back into the game.

The goal was just what the visitors wanted and they controlled the next 15 minutes, levelling on the hour with young Orchard again the scorer.

The winner came on the 70th minute when a terrific cross was diverted into the home goal by Sidmouth’s Tony Cox.

That did not prove to be the end of the drama for Town skipper Aaron Doble was shown a straight red card for an altercation with the match official!

Ten-man Town battled in vain to find a third goal and so succumbed to a narrow defeat.

Sidmouth are back in home action tomorrow (Saturday) with the visit of bottom of the table Liverton (3pm).