Sidmouth Town’s third team completed their 2016/17 season with a stunning cup success against a Kentisbeare team who had completed their season without defeat in a league that was three divisions better than Sidmouth’s.

The odds on a Sidmouth victory seemed very long indeed.

Sidmouth’s management opted to largely keep faith with the team that had got them to the final.

Pre-match the talk was of the fact that Sidmouth had not even reached the final of the Golesworthy Cup since the days of rationing!

That said the historical context seemed to generate a particular level of focus and determination among the Sidmouth players.

Kentisbeare looked dangerous in the early exchanges, but playing down the slope Sidmouth began to assert themselves with the powerful running of Freddie King especially catching the eye.

Indeed, it was a mistimed tackle on King that gave Sidmouth the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot mid-way through the first half. Connor Murphy showed great confidence in smashing the penalty high into the top left hand corner.

Kentisbeare continued to look dangerous and were soon on level terms with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.

The equaliser seemed to spur Sidmouth on and as they grew in confidence another confidently taken penalty from Connor Murphy enabled them to re-take the lead.

As half-time approached Sidmouth’s dominance continued and several excellent chances to extend their lead went begging.

The second half began with Kentisbeare camped in the Sidmouth half. Sidmouth had to withstand wave after wave of Kentisbeare attack but their defence was superbly marshalled by Ben Squance. With Dan Corrick looking imperious the Sidmouth keeper was not seriously troubled.

As Kentisbeare began to tire Jonny Dunn hit a thundering shot that the Kentisbeaere keeper did well to parry. Thankfully for Sidmouth though the ball fell to the tireless and excellent Jimmy Pearse who smashed the ball past the keeper to extend the Sidmouth lead and soothe the nerves of the large contingent of Sidmouth supporters.

Man of the match Freddie King deservedly completed the scoring with yet another penalty in the closing moments.

Even the most optimistic Sidmouth supporter could not have predicted a 4-1 victory against Kentisbeare’s ‘invincibles’ and the post-match celebrations were very much in keeping with such a momentous victory!

The cup final success signalled a fitting end to a hugely successful season for Sidmouth Town’s third team.

Twelve of the 15 man squad were aged 18 or younger- and that was after many other youngsters had progressed to the ranks of Sidmouth’s first and second teams.

Just three short years ago the club did not have a team to cater for the number of youngster coming through the Manstone Lane youth ranks.

However, thanks to the efforts of Ian Peacock and Jon Miller (the joint third team managers) and the clubs management committee, the situation was address and a third team ‘born’.

Now there are plans for a fourth team – and there are certainly sufficient numbers coming through to ensure that is well populated!