Sidmouth Warriors Under-12s suffered plenty of misfortune and down right bad luck when they were beaten 1-0 by take-topping Crediton in an Exeter and District Youth league meeting.

A string of impressive recent results meant that Warriors went into the contest with real confidence.

However, the start they made was not what the coaches wanted, but, against understandably confident opposition, Warriors proved solid at the back where Ryan Cousins, playing his best game since joining the club two seasons, made four perfectly judged tackles within as many minutes to keep the Crediton attacks at bay.

Warriors dominated possession and created a number of half chances with Adam Jabri and Sticky Crick testing the competent Crediton glovesman on three different occasions.

The table-toppers also carried a threat, but, alongside the afore mentioned Cousins, fellow defenders Lucy Spiller and Freddie Roberts were sharp with their tackling and quick-thinking with their covering and goalkeeper Freddie Eul Barker was called into action he showed just why he hi considered one of the best in the age group.

Half-time arrived with the game still seeking its first goal, but any neutral would surely have felt that Warriors deserved to be a goal – or two – to the good at the break.

Warriors were again sluggish in their approach at the start of the second half and this time they were caught as Crediton scored what proved to be the one and only goal of the game.

Warriors though, soon recovered their composure and began to knock the ball around as they had done for much of the first half.

The midfield trio of Ollie Beech, Dylan Patmore and Charlie Roberts were good with, and without the ball and that meant plenty of work for Will Bolton, Gabe Roberts and Sticky Crick, but, try as they did, they could not find a way through, or past, a solid Crediton defence and the game ended with Warriors so narrowly beaten.

Warriors coaches Mark Badcock and Chris Roberts can be rightly proud of the performance their young team served up whilst the team’s supporters deserve mention for their unequivocal support throughout a compelling encounter.

Exeter and District Youth League Under-12 Division Two

P W D L GD Pts

Crediton Youth 15 9 3 3 19 30

Central United 15 9 2 4 15 29

Exmouth United 14 8 1 5 15 25

Sidmouth Warriors 12 7 2 3 23 23

Copplestone Colts 13 7 1 5 4 22

Twyford Spartans 14 7 0 7 14 21

Pink Panthers 12 6 3 3 8 21

Exeter Panthers 13 5 4 4 -5 19

West Hill Wasps 15 4 4 7 0 16

Central City 15 4 2 9 -18 14

West Exe Youth 13 1 4 8 -34 7

Broadclyst FC 15 1 4 10 -41 7