Sidmouth Warriors Under-13s open home campaign with clean-sheet victory

In what had always been considered to be a close-contest, the opening exchanges did not disappoint and both teams looked to get on the front foot. Sidmouth looked to press forward with a measured approach whole Honiton looked prepared to play to their strengths and adopt a counter-attacking game plan.

The first sight of goal fell to the visitors, but the ever-alert Warriors goalkeeper, Anthony Nita, played his sweeper-keeper role to perfection, meeting every threat with composure. As the half wore on Warriors began to take a measure of control and Will Pulman was denied the opening goal by a splendid save by the Honiton glovesman.

Towards the end of the half the introduction of debutante Max Nevell forced the Honiton team onto the back foot and Warriors were unlucky not to head off at half-time with the advantage.

The second half saw the introduction of Thomas Fletcher up-front and Charles Joy on the wing and this move was to prove decisive as the increased home tempo started to see gaps appear in the Honiton back line.

Charles Joy, after accelerating into the Honiton area, fired low and, despite a good save from the keeper, was able to knock the rebound past him tom give Warriors the lead.

Once ahead, the confidence levels rose in the home side and it wasn’t long before Ben Elsom found himself in space on the edge of the box and rifled the ball past a diving goalkeeper to make ii 2-0. Honiton kept battling and it needed a Man of the Match shift from Finn Cotton to stifle any goal threat and allow his team mates to build on their lead. With the contest drawing to a close, a goal-mouth scramble saw the Honiton team forced into an own goal after some great work from Fletcher.

There was still time for Warriors striker Ryan Barnes to net a trademark goal – scoring for the third game in a row - to round things off well for Warriors.