Sidmouth Warriors Under-11s were 5-3 winners when they entertained Whipton Youth at St Johns School.

In recent weeks Warriors have built good confidence throughout the team, and they went into their latest contest looking to bank three more Exeter and District Youth League points.

However, an unbeaten Whipton team had similar ideas and it was they who took a 15th minute lead, albeit with a goal that arrived thanks to a contentious off-side decision!

Feeling aggrieved by the decision, Warriors then fell further behind as the visitors put together a slick move to surge into a 2-0 lead.

However, Warriors are made of sterner stuff these days and, with Thomas Nichols orchestrating things in midfield, began to get a foothold in the game. Half-time arrived with no further goals added. During the break there were some strong words for the team from the coaching staff and Warriors took heed of what had been said and made a fine start to the second half.

It was from the midfield that the recovery began as they seized control and Warriors began to dominate in all areas.

The visitors seemed to wilt in the face of the home teams pace and determination.

Charley Turley made a number of incisive runs at the heart of the Whipton defence and his endeavour was rewarded as he rifled the ball under a diving goalkeeper to put Warriors right back into the contest.

With spirits clearly raised through the team, the solid defensive work of Callum French and Man of the Match Finn Upsher denied Whipton any time and space to add to their lead and, at the other end of the pitch, a superb pass from Ben Elsom set up Turley to net his second.

The comeback was completed when Jamie Pitter netted with a sublime 25-yard lobbed shot up and over the ‘keeper. Tom Cload added a fifth and even a late third from the visitors did not dampen the delight of the Warriors players and supporters at the final whistle.