Sidmouth Warriors Under-11s had to settle for a point from the trip to North Tawton for their latest Exeter and District Youth League match.

Warriors travelled in good spirits as they are in good form of late, but they were under no illusions about how tough a contest they would face.

Warriors started brightly and fashioned a couple of early chances.

Ben Elsom was denied the opening goal when the home glovesman – at full stretch – saved with his finger tips! Thomas Nicholls then went close.

However, with the game being played out in heavy fog and on a muddy surface it meant that the usual high-tempo, slick passing style favoured buy the Warriors was ‘off the menu’!

Just before the break the home side took the lead from a free-kick.

After the break, clearly boosted by the late first half goal, the home side stepped up a gear and the fact that they were unable to add to their one goal was very much down to the excellence of the Warriors defence in which Callum French dished up the stand-out individual performance to fully deserve the Man of the Match award.

Encouraged from the sidelines, Warriors began to get a foothold in the game and they pressed well, again creating chances, but without being able to find a finish.

With time running out a triple substitution saw a new energy added to the Warriors ranks and a superb Tom Cload run opened up the home defence and Charles Joy was able to provide the assist to a Thomas Nicholls goal – the ball being rifled into the back of the net with real power.

Lifted by the goal, Warriors went in search of a winner. They went close, but it was ultimately not forthcoming and it was the home team who seemed mighty pleased to hear the full time whistle!