SIDMOUTH FC Junior Vikings U15s lost 3-1 to St Martin's in a friendly, writes Marc Colson.

SIDMOUTH FC Junior Vikings U15s lost 3-1 to St Martin's in a friendly, writes Marc Colson.This friendly match was an excellent display of how far the Sidmouth side have come. St Martin's are a side that have always dominated Sidmouth with high score lines, however, this match was a much more even affair. Ash Caldwell was outrunning the St Martin's defence, causing them all sorts of problems and Alex Martin was excellent in midfield with some quick movement and passing. St Martin's put the first goal away with a great strike. It could have been three in the first half to them, had it not been for stalwart Robbie Powell's fabulous keeping skills.St Martin's had the possession early in the second half and scored two more goals, again with powerful and accurate strikes. Josh Gigg came on to put Alex Martin through for Sidmouth's only goal. Ambitious Jack Hodge blasted a shot from the half way line and was unlucky not to score in the closing minutes of the game. Thanks extended to Cliff Cooper for refereeing by coach Tom Chaplin, who was delighted with the performance of his side. l Sidmouth FC Warriors U10s beat Thorverton 1-0 in the cup semi-final, writes Jo Newbery. Playing at home in the most important game of the season, Sidmouth started in a determined fashion. Jacob Rowe and Jo Miller were in top form, dominating in midfield. They went close when a fine ball from Ben Miller found Ollie Jarrett but, unfortunately, the ball bounced off his knee and into the grateful keeper's hands. Miller (Ben) himself went close with a fine shot that just went wide. Harvey Sargent, who was in commanding form, had a shot go just over the bar and, with Sidmouth continuing to push forward, they couldn't get the breakthrough and went in at half time all square. In the second half, Alex Stone pushed forward but his cross somehow evaded Connor Murphy at the far post. Stone then hit the bar with a great shot and, finally, Sidmouth got the goal they deserved when Sargent found Ben Miller whose cross was superbly volleyed home by Jarrett.Sidmouth continued to work hard with Rowe and Jo Miller covering all around the pitch and Jamie Newbery and Sargent snuffing out any Thorverton attack. Keeper Finlay Marks was left to deal with one cross, but Sidmouth ran out winners in a very comfortable and one-sided semi-final 1-0. It was a great team performance and the players, along with the parents, look forward to the final on May 16 against either Westexe or Moors Youth. Great result well done boys!l Sidmouth FC Junior Vikings U14s beat Pinhoe 7-2, writes Scott Newbery.Sidmouth started slowly against a team just above them but, somehow scored the first goal through Ricki Harris. Ollie Tollerfield went on a run and was brought down by the keeper but the ball ran to Eoin Ross who tapped in. Tollerfield was again brought down in the box and this time a penalty was given which Harris converted to give Sid a 3-0 lead. Sidmouth scored again with a fine volley from Joe Nield and Harris completed his hat-trick.Nield scored his second and Sidmouth's sixth but Pinhoe hit back when Connor Male chested the ball away only for the ref to give a penalty and send the sides in at half time with Sidmouth leading 6-1. Pinhoe came at Sidmouth and only good defending from Male, Cameron Marshall-Harris, Mike Feeney and Jack Chamen kept them out. Tollerfield scored to put Sid 7-1 up but a free kick from Pinhoe reduced the arrears and left a final score of 7-2. Man of the Match was Ricki Harris. l Sidmouth FC Viking Warriors U9s drew 2-2 away to Pinhoe Spears writes Claire Pugsley.On a blustery, spring day the Warriors found themselves battling not only a strong team, but also the windy conditions. Pinhoe Spears opened the score sheet despite some strong defence by Matthew Jones and Kade Hayman. Fortunately, George Harris was able to equalise on the brink of half time. Encouraged by a half time team talk, Ben Gosse quickly scored Sidmouth's second goal. Pinhoe continued to attack, forcing Sidmouth goalkeeper Tobi Pugsley to pull out all the stops. A long kick from Pugsley enabled George another shot at goal which, unfortunately, went just over the bar. With assistance from the wind Pinhoe were able to equalise late on resulting in a 2-2 draw. l Sidmouth FC Viking Warriors U9s beat Pinhoe Pikes 4-1, writes Claire Pugsley. Determined to win the next match, despite playing uphill, Sidmouth came out attacking and in control from the off, and Joe Buckland was quickly able to get one in the net. Sidmouth defenders Tom Woodruff and Kade Hayman relished keeping the ball in the air with some brave headers and were unlucky not to stop Pinhoe's only goal of the game. Playing downhill in the second half Sidmouth's midfielders completely dominated the game. Joe Lowe and Ethan Mead's mature control and passing of the ball set up George for Sidmouth's second goal. Two more goals followed in quick succession from Joe Buckland and Ben Gosse. A mature and polished performance from all the team. Well done lads.l Sidmouth FC Vikings U13s beat Brixington 5-2 with their best performance of the season against a side sat third in the league above, writes Dickie Seldon.In difficult, windy conditions, Sidmouth adapted better, with the central midfield axis of Still and Blackmore showing real industry and determination, and with the stylish Will Jenkins organising his defence and looking for the ball at every opportunity.On 10 minutes Sidmouth striker Connor Ellis was first to the ball as the Brixington 'keeper dropped the ball from a Will Sanders' corner to get the scoreline up and running. This was swiftly followed by a Joe Blackmore header as another ball into the Brix box caused chaos. Playing into the wind, Brixington rarely threatened the Sidmouth goal, and were caught out again as Dan Powell bravely beat the 'keeper to a long ball and saw his lob end up in the back of the net for a 3-0 half-time scoreline.The second half saw manager Len 'Special One' Still use all his available subs, and it was encouraging to see them all show up well as Brixington showed their undoubted quality. However, they were in total shock as the rejuvenated Shawn Mackay beat his marker out on the right and saw his cross-cum-shot float into the net for Sidmouth's fourth.With Dan Hulin and Joe Griffiths looking impressive at the back, and Toby Seldon working hard on the left, Sidmouth kept up the quality of their performance, though Brixington did threaten a comeback with two goals in quick succession as they ran at the Sid defence. Vikings 'keeper Dec Lines thrilled the capacity crowd, acrobatically tipping a goalbound shot over the bar to keep Brix at bay. The crowd were treated as Powell showed superb technique to meet a high spinning ball with an airborne volley from 20 yards out, seeing his shot tear into the net past the helpless keeper to seal the game. This goal would have graced any ground in the land and would have Lineker and Hansen in raptures!!The key is to keep this level of performance every week, so this will be needed on Saturday as the boys travel to high-flying Heavitree..