IT WAS A case of 'stand by your men' for Sidmouth Town manager Paul Ashford following the disappointment of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of third-from-top Wellington at the weekend.

IT WAS A case of 'stand by your men' for Sidmouth Town manager Paul Ashford following the disappointment of a 3-1 defeat at the hands of third-from-top Wellington at the weekend. "I haven't signed any players from higher level football and I am hoping that the young players I have brought in stand up to be counted in what will be a tough run in to the season," he said. "I'm keeping my faith in the players and I hope they do the same for me, but I need them to be hungry to win," he added. Ashford had no problems with the first half performance against Wellington which ended 0-0 but was down in the dumps when reflecting on the second. "We were outclassed for the first goal, the second was a keeper's mistake and the third came from a player I had told them to watch out for," Ashford explained. "There was nothing to fear if we had gone about our job properly." Mike Stamp got a late consolation goal. Sidmouth had lost their much anticipated East Devon Senior Cup tie with Clyst Valley 9-8 on penalties after finishing extra time 5-5. Goals were scored by Dave Green, 2, Mark Badcock, 2, and Chris Duchenski. Their relegation battle continues on Saturday away to Hatherleigh. And it looks like a case of missing the boat for the Reserves, whose revival in form has probably come too late to save them from Senior 3 football next term. They beat Honiton 4-2 thanks to two goals from Craig Badcock, one from Neil Blake and Jordan Cooper. Sidmouth weathered an early Honiton onslaught before stamping their authority on the game and manager Rob Fowler hopes they continue the form in Sunday's Carlisle Cup semi-final against East Budleigh Reserves.