Sidmouth Town 1, Crediton United 2

Town entertained a team widely expected to be amongst the leaders this season. Crediton United, with ex-Town players Ben Ashford and Andy Thompson now playing prominent roles for them, started brightly.

Sidmouth withstood a fair amount of early pressure and started to cause Crediton a few problems at the opposite end.

On 20 minutes Andy Lord was guilty of bringing down the United striker, who was through on goal, so a red card and penalty were awarded. Ally Sawyer duly dispatched the spot kick to give Crediton the lead.

Town could have fallen behind immediately when Groom, with only Jack Burgess in the Town goal to beat, lobbed the ball well wide.

Sidmouth reorganised and slowly fought their way back into the game with Mark Badcock twice going close, one chance being cleared off of the line. Town were knocking on the door and in the 38th minute Nathan Brace crashed in a left foot volley to bring the scores level at half time.

The second half was just as closely fought with both sides having chances in a keenly fought contest.

Luck is always needed to win football matches and the Vikings were dealt a cruel blow when United’s much-travelled striker O’Connor struck and his shot deflected off Darren Thomas to loop over the unfortunate Burgess to give Kirton the lead on 75 minutes.

Still the Viking spirit could not be broken and the 10 men pushed forward trying to find an equaliser but to no avail.

Manager Paddy Thomas said: “I am proud of the whole squad as they gave their all for this club against all the odds. Warren Patmore, Kirton manager, was very kind and agreed that we deserved a point. Standards have been set now and if we apply ourselves like that each week then we will pick up points. Star Man was Craig Badcock”

Team: Burgess, Lord, Raistrick, Badcock M, Thomas, Chaplin, Brace, Fayter-Small, Baker, Allen, Badcock C: Reps: Nield, Hudson, Freeman.