Sidmouth TJV U11 Warriors 3, Stoke Hill 5

Sidmouth dominated the early stages and Jack Miller went close on two occasions.

Two unlucky breaks - a long range punt upfield by Stoke Hill simply died in our swampy penalty area and dribbled over the goal line, then a shot straight out of the low sun totally blinded keeper Ben Plowden, saw Sidmouth an undeserved 2-0 down.

Heads dropped while Stoke Hill grew in determination - and they scored again before the break.

In the second half, with Jay Harris leading the way on the left, Miller's pass under the advancing keeper brought one back, and James Emmett managed to put away a penalty in the thick mud. Sadly Stoke Hill replied to both goals but 2-5 down, Toby Garrick beat three defenders and scored the third.

For the last 10 minutes, Sidmouth camped in Stoke Hill's half, trying to find a way back to level terms. Time and again Jacob Rice won the ball, turned and threatened to score, Lucas Richardson whipped in crosses and corners, Ben Plowden kept the pressure on Stoke Hill's defence while Louis Spalding mopped up any scraps in midfield.

Unfortunately, Sidmouth were attacking the soggiest end of the pitch which by now was a quagmire, slippery and hard to pass or shoot. Neither a crazy goalmouth scramble nor a very good penalty shout went their way. So although Sidmouth took the second period honours it ended 3-5, but what an exciting finish! Dynamic centre forward Jacob Rice was Man of the Match.

Sidmouth TJV U12 Raiders 4, Hemyock 4

The first half of this match was not the most exciting, with both sides squandering possession, resulting in a stalemate with both teams struggling to break through each others’ defence. Although even it was Hemyock that took the lead making it 1-0 at half time, writes Mark Skelding.

In contrast, the second half proved to be the most exciting I have seen Sidmouth play for a while. The first Sidmouth goal came from a pass from Skelding out of defence, straight to Hughes who ran the length of the pitch to slot the ball home.

Then came the customary Raffell long range cracker from outside the box to put Sidmouth deservedly into the lead at 2-1. Unfortunately, Hemyock came straight back within minutes to equalise.

At this stage, Sidmouth were totally dominant and a joy to watch. Sidmouth scored again from another long range effort by Skelding recording his first Sidmouth goal. Hughes added his second goal and it looked like the game was won, only for Hemyock to score a further two goals, with the last one coming cruelly in the dying seconds.

Saturday January 7 fixtures: Weather permitting, as follows: U8s Raiders and Warriors: Away v Honiton, meet there by 9.45am, contact Justin Ashby on 07917 853847 or Mark O’Connor on 07980636739; U9s Raiders and Warriors: Home v Okey Argyle, meet N Pop by 9.30am, contact Alan Hallett on 07947 008161 or Billy Emmett on 07969 801344; U10s Warriors and Raiders: Away v Thorverton and Stoke Hill, meet football club by 8.50 am or Thorverton by 9.45am, contact Rob Fowler 07989 151755 or Wade Monaghan 07764 787901; U11s Warriors: Training, meet Sidford by 9.30am, contact Alex Spalding on 07711 090828; U11s Raiders: Away v West Exe, meet N Pop by 9.15 am, contact Martin Spiller on 597304; U12s Warriors: Home v St Martins, meet Sidford by 10am, contact Simon Jones on 07966 866712; U12s Raiders: Away v Heavitree (EX2 6HF), meet at FC by 9am, contact Phil Vellender on 07772 705298; U13s: Away v Pinhoe, meet there by 9.45am, contact Jon Miller; U14s: Home v Colyton, meet Bicton by 9.45am, contact Ian Peacock 07530 727383; U15s: Away v Pro direct, meet FC by 9am, contact Wayne Harris 07980 557093; U16s: Away v Ottery, meet at FC by 9.15am or there by 9.45am, contact Dickie Seldon 07968 638254.