Good platform for season

Sidmouth men’s 1st team started the 2010 league campaign at Plymouth with a much altered side from last year’s promotion winning team. Deserved league starts were given to George Powell, Ben Dormand, Scott Rumens and Rich Robinson, all of whom made telling contributions on the day.

For many players it was the first time playing at this new level, however, with last year’s rigid defence marshalled by captain Ian Brown, Plymouth struggled to capitalise on their high tempo start.

As the game progressed, Sidmouth become more involved in the game, always looking dangerous on the break, in particular, Man of the match Dan Devine threatened with his tenacity and penetrating passing. For much of the first half the ball was played along the Sidmouth defence as they attempted to attack from wide, Pidgeon and Mapson dictating the pace from the left.

Despite all the good work, Plymouth managed to score the only goal of the game towards the end of the half, an attack down the Sidmouth wing resulting in a shot from a tight angle that goalie Jon Hill did well to save - however, he was given no chance as the opposition player pounced on the rebound to give them the lead.

The second half saw the whole team get stuck in, especially Byron Fitzgerald who heroically headed the ball clear from a short corner.

As the half progressed, Sidmouth began to gain more of a foothold in the match, creating some chances that striker Nick Wade had saved by the Plymouth goalie.

But the Sidmouth defence was kept busy, with several instinctive saves drawn from Hill.

In the last minute of the game, Sidmouth were rewarded with a free hit at the edge of the Plymouth D.

Pidgeon took the hit quickly, finding Powell free in the area, however, due to the rule changes made at the start of last season, the pass was illegal and so the game ended with a Plymouth win.

The first game of the season for a newly promoted team away from home was always going to be difficult, however, the Adrenalin Games-sponsored Sidmouth team can be optimistic for the upcoming season after more than holding their own with an established league side, especially now that Pidgeon understands the rules introduced last year!