Sidmouth thirds produced an excellent all-round performance as they won their Geary Cup opening round tie 8-2 at Exmouth Amateurs thirds.

The match was always going to be a good test for the Town side with no fewer than 12 of their 16-man match day squad being under-18!

What’s more, kick-off in the game was greeted by a torrential downpour and heavy rain fell throughout the first half! The weather conditions led to difficulties for all players with the ball playing as if covered in grease!

However, Town’s attacking formation and talented side made the most of the unpredictable conditions by taking the lead through a parried Rich Johnson shot, tapped in by Ben Miller.

Exmouth quickly equalised when their strikers air shot wrong-footed the defence and a team mate slotted home.

Town were soon back onto the front foot taking charge and they had the tie wrapped up by the interval thanks to four further goals. A well taken lob by Miller, a penalty from Connor Murphy after Johnson was unceremoniously flattened and two more close range tap-ins from Matt Skelding and Miller – the latter completing a first half treble, rounded off the scoring in the first 45 minutes.

The home side emerged for the second half looking bright, but Town quickly re-established complete control and Murphy scored his second before Miller added his fourth and, in true, ‘saving the best for last’ style Rueben Raffell rifled home to the eighth and final goal from 30-yards.

Town thirds coach Ian Peacock said: “The side have a great balanced of talented youth and wise, experienced players, the energy of youth rewarded with all eight goals scored by the 16 and 17 year old players. This all bodes well for a strong season ahead and one that will hopefully see the team go one step further in this particular cup competition having made it through to the semi-finals last season.