Sidmouth Town are through to the last eight of the Devon Premier Cup after beating South Devon League side Staverton and Landscove 3-0.

And the three goals all came from veteran Mike Stamp before half time.

Staverton had rung Sidmouth just as they were about to leave saying that there were no showers or food available after the match due to burst pipes in the club house, but Sidmouth were keen to get the fixture played so travelled anyway.

And the referee was not totally happy with the playing surface which was ‘soggy on top but firm underneath’ according to manager Paul Ashford.

Sidmouth pushed for the go ahead, after making the journey to the side, who play near Ashburton.

Ashford said: “ Their pitch isn’t great, but we drafted in some of the old boys and they coped well with it.”

Stamp, 40, started in the centre of midfield but was finding it difficult to stay on his feet ‘like a 40 year old Bambi’ Ashford joked. A switch to playing up front was just the ticket and Stamp had scored a rare left foot, right foot, header hat-trick by the time the ref blew the half time whistle.

Ashford was delighted with the team effort, the defence and keeper keeping a clean sheet and he praised those who did the leg work to set up Stamp’s goals.

“Stamp is a credit to himself and the club,” he said.

The Vikings’ reward is a quarter final at home to Peninsula League East high flyers Liverton, but, before that, they have a big game at home to Clyst Valley this Saturday.