Sidbury kept themselves in the hunt for promotion with a comfortable head and shoulders win over a very inexperienced Dawlish Town Reserves.

Sidbury kept themselves in the hunt for promotion with a comfortable head and shoulders win over a very inexperienced Dawlish Town Reserves.

It was a much different side from the one that the Seagulls only narrowly defeated earlier in the season.

It required a lot of patience as Sidbury took 30 minutes to get into their stride.

Although they did not have a lot to offer, Dawlish Town were very resolute in their defending.

But it was Matt Rasmussen who opened them up when he pounced on a mistake on the edge of the penalty area and struck his shot superbly into the open net. His strike partner Russell Coombs had a chance to double the lead just before the break but he could only fire over the bar.

The second half began with another goal for the wily and new skipper Ben Clay when he sent his well struck corner straight past the unsuspecting keeper.

With 10 minutes remaining, Coombs made up for his earlier miss with a well placed strike from 18 yards out.

Manager Mel Coombs joked afterwards saying: "Everyone thinks I gave Ben the armband just to stop him leaving next season. We had a good laugh about that but, seriously, as young as Ben is, he has the qualities that can make a good captain and he will be leading us for the remainder of the season.

"As for the game, it was all a bit frustrating as we never really got our game going for any decent spells so we were happy to take the three points that keep us on the heels of the top sides.

"Jason Margrett was voted the Man-of-the-Match, which I was delighted with; he has come to us with a refreshing attitude and just wants to finish his playing days at the club he started with many years ago and hopefully gain a few more honours."

Squad: J Burgess, B Clay, B Woolley, R Bacon, D Churchill, S Popham, D Norman, M Channing, R Coombs, M Rasmussen. Subs used M Pidgeon, C Baldwin. Not used: D Seldon.

Dan Churchill won the Player-of-the -Month award for March.

Following their visit to Upottery on Wednesday, Sidbury travel to University on Saturday (KO 3pm).

The seconds won 5-0 at Exmouth Amateurs. Among the scorers was Ray Clapp, now aged 47.

By Mel Coombs

Sidbury v Dawlish Town Reserves

Senior 2