Sidmouth fourths were excellent value for what was ultimately a 3-3 draw in a Macron League Division Eight top-of-the-table clash with Thorverton Reserves.

With the young Vikings unbeaten at home in their league campaign and the Thors unbeaten away, a close encounter was expected.

However, it was the Mid Devon side – arguably one of the strongest outfits in the division – who made a flying start and faced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes!

The early exchanges suggested that the Town side might end up suffering a heavy defeat and the coaches quickly assessed things and took what was clearly a difficult decision, to take a couple of the youngest players off to attempt to try and change the inevitable course of the contest.

The two summoned from the bench were Will Ashby and the returning Jordan Parsons, and the pair teamed up with Darren Thomas to strengthen the midfield.

It was the experienced Thomas who became the orchestrator of the fightback as he gave help to all around him and this gave renewed confidence in all areas of the team.

The defence closed ranks with some solid work coming from Ben Main, Oliver Newton, Adam Jago and the excellent Matt Jones, and this gave the team a platform from which they began to take a foothold in the game and, as half-time arrived, it was the Vikings who were in the ascendancy, deservedly halving the deficit courtesy of an own goal, and went into the break just 2-1 down.

During the interval, Town boss Jon Miller spent the 15 minute break convincing his players that they could go on and complete the comeback and, as they had done seven days before, take all three points.

The second half saw a Town side with an extra stride in their step and, after some excellent midfield play from Thomas and Parsons and a mazy run from Luke Spillar, the Vikings won a penalty, which was tucked away confidently by the excellent Ollie Turton, who then went on to score the third with a great solo strike to see Town into a 3-2 lead with 25 minutes remaining.

However, with what proved to be virtually the last kick of the contest, the Thors struck to ensure honours ended even, but the overriding feeling for the home side at full-time was that the belief and experience the young team took from the game will have galvanised the squad even more.

In a terrific all-round display, special mention must be made of Matt Skelding in goal, who made some important saves at key times in the contest.