Sidmouth & Ottery Men’s D 4 (2) - (1) 2 Isca E

This was key game for SOHC 5th XI, a re-match with top of the table Isca who had defeated them by the odd goal back in October. SOHC continued to exploit their rich vein of form and were worthy victors with a result that moves them up to second, just one point off top slot, writes Steve Ellison.

SOHC played with composure and control in the first half and were much the stronger team, creating a significant number of chances. Charlie King opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes, against his old club, with a well-taken goal at the far post before Billy Rudolph returned to scoring ways tapping in a fine piece of individual work from Will Ellison, also at the far post.

SOHC were awarded a penalty flick when the Isca defender intercepted the goal-bound ball with his forehead!! The Isca keeper pulled off a fine save keeping the score at 2-0. In the last minutes of the half, against the run of play, Isca won a short corner, from which they scored with an excellent strike. This meant that Isca could regroup at half time with the score at a flattering 2-1.

The second half was a more even affair. Isca started the second half stronger and threatened the SOHC goal a number of times in the first 10 minutes. SOHC continued to absorb the Isca pressure before Ellison, who was threatening all afternoon, opened his account scoring with a well-taken shot on the turn.

Isca continued to press and then scored a scrappy goal from a short corner leaving the score at 3-2 with 20 minutes to play and worryingly, the Isca tails were now up.

SOHC raised their game in all departments for the last 20 minutes and this sustained pressure, which included several near misses including hitting the post and scooping over the bar from three metres out, led to SOHC’s last and arguably best goal, which was the result of an end-to-end passing move which Chris Olive finished off from the top of the D with a fine shot.

At 4-2 up with 10 minutes to play SOHC continued to dominate the game and the result never looked in doubt again.

This was a great performance from all, with the contribution from SOHC’s juniors becoming increasingly important.

?SOHC return to Sidmouth Sports Centre next week against East Devon, push-back 10.30am, spectators most welcome.