Sidmouth Warriors and Pinhoe Under-11s shared the spoils in a close encounter of an Exeter and District Youth League meeting.

Warriors went into the contest having suffered back-to-back heavy defeats in their two previous outings, but they bounced back to winning ways in some style.

Arguably, this was the best performance of the season for the Warriors, and the team shift was made all the more impressive given the fact that they only had a bare nine players for the fixture.

In a bright start, Warriors went close to opening the scoring when Lucas Vicary sawe a snap shot whizz just wide of the mark.

At the other end of the pitch, the Warriors defence played the offside trap to perfection and the back four of Ollie Gibbins, Dylan Robbins, Laurence Coles and Seamus Kent were organised and disciplined from first whistle to last.

The Warriors pressure built and they were rewarded for their endeavours when Close closed down a Pinhoe raid, won possession and moved the ball forward to Vicary to work his magic before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the pacey Ethan Isaac to run onto and apply a powerful finish. Pinhoe hit back, but Warriors glovesman Oscar Finch was his consistent self again, making three outstanding first half saves that enabled Warriors to troop off at the break with a richly deserved 1-0 lead.

After the break, Warriors again made a bright start with Lucas O’connor continuing to boss the midfield, linking up with Edward roles and the wingback Seamus Kent.

Pinhoe did eventually net an equaliser and so the game ended all square. A draw was arguably a fair outcome to a splendid contest, one in which all nine Warriors players really did put in a splendid shift. However, the Man of the Match award went to the deserving Seamus Kent.

Warriors are looking for a few new players this season. If interested please email coach Andrew O’connor on aoc73@aol.com or call him on 07791 658393.