Round up of local matches

Heavitree Social Club 2nds 2,

Tipton St John 1

Tipton went into this match against high flying Heavitree on the back of a heavy defeat but showed no lasting effect from it and, after a first minute scare when keeper Dale Strawbridge did well to tip a long range effort over the bar, they settled down and produced a real battling performance laced with fine football, writes Richard Williams.

They more than matched fifth-placed side Heavitree until the 24th minute when they scored from a penalty. Unfortunately, straight from the kick off, Tipton gave the ball away on the edge of their own area for the Heavitree striker to hit a great shot past Strawbridge to double their lead. Three minutes later Strawbridge pulled off a great save from a powerfully hit volley.

Tipton continued to more than match their opponents and forced the Heavies’ keeper to make good saves.

Tipton came out at the start of the second half in a positive frame of mind and pulled a goal back when a Lee Strawbridge shot was saved by the keeper’s foot but rebounded to Jody Freeman for a tap in.

Tipton continued to take the play to Heavitree but on 62 minutes they were awarded a second penalty, but Dale Strawbridge pulled off a magnificent save diving full length to his right to tip the ball away for a corner. Tipton continued to battle, were unfortunate not to get an equaliser and gave Heavitree a real scare.

Man of the Match for Tipton, making his 1st team debut having stepped up from the Reserves, was Matt Daly who put in a magnificent performance from midfield, popping up all over the pitch throughout the entire match.

?Tipton 2nds came back from 3-0 down to draw 3 -3 at Newton St Cyres. Jonny Beer scoring all three goals.

Colaton Raleigh 2nds 4, Met Office 1

Fresha Div Seven

Colaton Raleigh replied to second-from-top team Met Office’s opening goal with a well-worked goal scored by Adrian Parr after a James Hiscox cross, writes Gavin Cann.

It remained 1-1 until half time with both teams having good chances, and Met Office having the better of the first half, only for keeper Scott Newbery to keep them at bay.

The second half saw both sides firing shots but Raleigh were first on the scoreboard through substitute Aston Puckey who slotted in from close range.

Raleigh got their third when Adrian Parr crossed in from the left for another substitute, Mark Gerry to head towards goal. The ball took several deflections on the way and the goal goes to Mark Gerry.

The game was put firmly out of reach for Met Office, when a punt forward from Jamie Vittles dropped to the feet of Parr on the left, who cut inside taking on four defenders before unleashing a devastating shot for his second.

Player/manager Chris Harwood was especially pleased with the performance of his lads who all put in 100 per cent into every minute of the game, especially the performance of the three defenders Ricki Harris, Jamie Vittles and captain Miles Fayter-Small who were solid throughout against an attacking team.

Man of the Match went to James Hiscox.

?Colaton Raleigh 1sts are home to Westexe Rovers this week, kick off 2:15pm.

Raleigh 2nds travel to play Tipton St John who went top of the league after drawing with Newton St Cyres 2nds.

Ottery St Mary beat Offwell 4-2 in Fresha Division Three and leapfrogged them in the table as a result. They are home to North Tawton on Saturday. It’s a game they should win.

Culm Utd 0, Sidbury Utd 4

Fresha Div One

After a few convincing wins for Sidbury in recent weeks this trip to Culm seemed to be a banked three points, so much so that a few players may have even been out the night before. Manager Schofield wasn’t happy with the lads’ approach and warned the players of complacency setting in, drumming home that the potential of this fixture could be a banana skin for Sidbury as it has been in previous seasons.

A quick start was required by the team, and that’s exactly what the manager got! The midfield trio of Seldon, Benyon and Salter worked together superbly winning the ball and putting it into the right places. The pressure paid off with Elstub again proving too much for the Culm left back to handle. His ball into the box was put away by Glenn Salter, who is in fine form at the moment (and he’s been wearing Dave Green’s boots recently).

Sidbury looked to push on, but the home side weren’t ready to roll over and give up. Culm managed to put together a few attacking moves themselves, but with the defensive coaching session that was given at training mid-week, along with Sidbury’s determination to keep their fourth clean sheet in a row, the team pulled together and fought back.

The half time team talk was positive with Schofield and Flack asking for more of the same. A goal a few minutes after the re-start by Ash Small (no, not a printing error), set up by the hard-working Danny Green.

Sidbury were now in cruise control and never really looked back.

Drew’s Butchers ‘Man of the Match’ Danny Green had his constant hard work rewarded with a goal supplied by Elstub. Three goals up, Sidbury made a few subs, Seldon and Benyon made way for Bacon and Clay, followed by Small who made way for the club’s top goal scorer Dave Green. They rounded off the scoring with an inch perfect corner from Clay that Danny Green was on hand to tuck away and finish a great effort by the whole team.

Jez Schofield, manager, said after the game: “I’m glad that the side have a frogspawn mentality of sticking together when things don’t go their way.They still have a bit to learn but, as a club, the ship is sailing in the right direction.”

Ratings: Harvey 7, Coombes 7, Godbeer 7, Channing 7, Churchill 7, Benyon 7, Salter 8, Seldon 7, Elstub 9, Small 7, Dan Green 9. Subs: Clay 6, Bacon 6, Dave Green 6

?Next up for Sidbury is the local derby where they will host Tipton St John, 2.15pm KO at Byes Lane.

Sidmouth Town 3, Stoke Gabriel 7

Peninsula League Div 1 East

The Vikings entertained a Stoke Gabriel side, the pundits’ favourites for the title, on a perfect pitch on Saturday.

The home side started slowly but Stoke were soon into their stride and were two goals up inside the first 20 minutes. Town were unable to pass or keep possession and at times found it difficult to get a foothold in the game. Stoke increased their lead on 40 minutes and ended the half 3-0 up.

After a few well chosen half-time words from manager Paddy Thomas and a couple of adjustments, Town were hoping to score first and get back in the tie. Unfortunately Stoke grabbed a fourth before Matt Rasmussen replied to make it 4-1 on the hour mark. Five minutes later Stoke restored their four goal advantage, only for Tim Lister to again reduce the deficit to three. Back came the away side scoring twice in quick succession as Town threw men forward and it was left to the Viking skipper to end the scoring with the last kick of the match.

Thomas said: “We had an off day, unfortunately against the best side I’ve seen so far. We train twice a week but after that showing I think we need to train every night!”

There’s another tough game next Saturday away to Alphington, 2.15pm ko.