Will Jenkins 10
Will Sanders 7
Conor Ellis 5
Lee Clayden 5
Sam Gosling 4
Will Price 3
Doug Still 3
Dan Powell 3
Isaac Thomas 2
Joe Blackmore 1
Riordan Deehan-Jackson 1

The crowd at Manstone Lane was treated to an absolute thriller in this, the boys’ last match of the season.

Sidmouth hit the woodwork 4 times and also had a goal disallowed as they learned the hard way that you can play superbly, but if you don’t take your chances, then you get punished.

The side played excellent, controlled, passing football in the first half, creating chance after chance. Sanders and Ellis both missed with only the keeper to beat, then somehow the outstanding Jenkins saw his effort smash against the crossbar from 6 yards. With the engine room of Still and Blackmore controlling the midfield, and Powell at his dynamic best on the flank, Sidmouth should have had the game won.

But Ottery hung on, then against the run of play, converted their first chance with their outstanding player Harris smashing past Vikings keeper Lines.

The second half was more even, with both sides playing great attacking football. The Otters again took their chances and at one stage were 3-up, but Sidmouth showed their character to roar back into the game with Sanders’ corner crossing the line before Still could claim it, then the prolific Clayden showing his forwards what to do to score the second. The introduction of subs Price, Gosling and Seldon, in particular pepped up the attack, and Seldon saw his fierce free-kick fumbled by the keeper, only for Blackmore to also smash the follow-up off the bar! At this stage, the action hotted up, as a controversially disallowed goal, some feisty exchanges and the intervention of the referee was needed as tempers frayed in the heat!

A couple more Ottery goals from their superb no.7 looked to have finished Sidmouth off, but back they came again, with Deehan-Jackson bundling home a Seldon corner for his first goal for the team.

A fitting way to finish;- a great performance in general but lesson learned once again on taking your chances.

This was the squad’s best performance of the season, as they matched and, at times, outplayed their opponents, who have only lost once in the league this season. Through sheer effort and determination, the boys kept themselves in the match and confidence spread through the team as they realised they had Moors really worried.

The lesson learned though, is taking your chances. Both teams carved out half a dozen good chances on goal;- but Moors took more of theirs;- simple.

The first half-hour saw the Sidmouth back-line stretched to the limits, but a combination of good defending and a couple of superb saves from Dec Lines kept Moors at bay. This allowed Sidmouth to get their own attacking game going, with Doug Still and Joe Blackmore having fine all-round games in midfield. On the left flank, Will Sanders had his full-back ‘on toast’, and got numerous balls into the danger zone. Still saw a crafty lob go just over the bar, whilst Will Jenkins, Will Price and Dan Powell smashed shots right at the Moors keeper from the edge of the box.

Unfortunately, as half-time approached, Moors twice profited from a long ball over the defence, who were caught cold to find themselves 2 down out of the blue.

With a third goal coming soon into the 2nd half, the Sidmouth post-Christmas would then have been swamped, but the Manager’s call for the squad to give everything they had sunk in, and the boys then set about Moors with real passion. Sanders and Conor Ellis pushed on into forward roles, and both showed a real return to form with outstanding second halves. On the flanks, Sam Gosling and Toby Seldon came on as subs, and showed up really well, ‘Gozzy’ with his mazy dribbling skills, and ‘Shelly’ with a supply of quality crosses.

From a Blackmore corner, the tireless Lee Clayden, whose attitude and commitment each week is spot-on, timed his charge into the box to ram home for his 4th of the season from full-back! The pressure was being created by the direct running of Ellis and Sanders, and with 10 minutes to go, the Vikings got a spectacular second, as Sanders hit a peach of a shot which sailed over the keeper only to come back off the angle of post and crossbar, straight into the path of Ellis, following up like all strikers should. Ellis converted the volley well, and the last few minutes saw Moors hanging on for dear life, even taking the ball into the corners to waste time.

An excellent performance, lads, well played. Some massive plusses for all players;- much better defending from corners, a real physical presence and workrate to our game, and so many great chances created. The key is to play at that level every week.

The whole squad of 19 at training so great to see.

Tough match on Sat vs Moors, who will be smarting from our 'win' against them 2 weeks
ago.

meet Newton Pop 9.30... not sure which pitch but if they're both
free we will take the lower one again.

Squad = Lines, Griffiths, Hulin, Deehan-Jackson, Clayden, Corrick
Powell, Still, Blackmore, Gosling, Sanders, Seldon, Price, Jenkins, Ellis

Let me now if any
problems

Dickie
07968 638254

After a few barren months and some wretched results, the boys showed their rediscovered grit and determination to grind out a superb result against high-flying Cullompton, and climb up to 6th in the league.

An excellent display in the Plate Comp the previous weekend, conceding no goals in 3 matches, had given the team the confidence to build on and this display saw more fine defending, particularly by centre-backs Dan Hulin and Riordan Deehan-Jackson. Hulin dominated his centre-forward and showed what he can do when fully committed, whilst ‘RDJ’ was the insurance behind him.

In midfield, Joe Blackmore had a fine game, using the ball intelligently and keeping the Cully midfield on their toes, whilst Dan Powell buzzed around like an angry wasp, competing for everything.

The sole goal came in the first 5 minutes, with top-scorer Will Jenkins latching on to Will Price’s flick-on from keeper Dec Lines’ long goal-kick. Jenks showed his usual composure in slotting the ball past the keeper a’la Jamie Cureton for City later in the day!

The rest of the game saw Sidmouth soak up pressure, though Lines only had a couple of routine saves to make. Sidmouth threatened on the break, when latching on to the ‘keeper’s long kicks, but saw chances from Powell, Price, and sub Isaac Thomas go narrowly wide.

Another plus for the team was the return of Will Sanders, who put in a good all-round role on the left in the 2nd half, sending in a few lovely crosses.

It was also great to see far more support on the touchline, which seemed to make the lads more determined to perform well.

Well done lads, let’s have that level of performance for all the remaining matches!

This Saturday the squad entertains Moors Youth, 10.30 ko at Newton Pop.

Well, a superb performance in the Plate on Sunday.
After the dubious posponement by Moors gave us all more frustration on Saturday
it was great to see us playing as a Team again, creating chances, full
of smiles and banter and also enjoying a little more adult support than
of late.... it does make a difference. Well done to all involved.

We did not concede a goal in our 3 matches, 2 of which were against strong
sides above us in the Leagues.
Some great goalkeeping from Dec stood
out, backed up by some far more committed defending, and the creation
of several good chances in all of the games that could easily have seen
us win the group with a little more luck.

With 4 matches in a row at
home coming up, plus a trip to Hemyock, we need to build on Sunday and
enjoy the run-up to the end of the season.

The boys hadn’t played a league match for over a month due to the severe weather, so when this match was called off at Central’s pitch, every effort was made to get it played at Newton Pop.

The effort was certainly worth it, as Sidmouth produced their best performance of the season, defending solidly then building some fine attacking moves to stun their opponents and avenge a defeat earlier in the season.

A few changes had been made to the line-up, due to illness and injury, but this was a solid, strong performance. Toby Littlewood came in at right-back and had a great game, strong and committed in the tackle, and building a good partnership down the right with the dynamic Dan Powell. Dan Corrick and Dan Hulin also gave committed displays in defence, covered as ever by the reliable presence of Riordan Deehan-Jackson.

Captain Doug Still saw an early pile-driver smack the cross-bar but Sidmouth had to soak up a lot of pressure, ‘keeper Dec Lines once again doing everything needed of him and being quick off his line. After 25 minutes, Sidmouth’s creative midfielders started to get their passing going, pinging 1 or 2-touch moves around the bemused Central defenders. A great move saw the ball swept across the midfield from Will Sanders on the left, through Joe Blackmore in the centre, to the right, where the onrushing Powell was upended for a penalty. Top scorer Will Jenkins showed nerves of steel to convert the penalty, and the boys were away! Within 5 minutes, another quality move saw Blackmore time his run into the box perfectly to get on the end of a through-ball and jubilantly notch his first of the season. The 10-minute purple patch continued as Powell combined with Jenkins again to see the ball rammed home for the third goal, despite the despairing efforts of the Central keeper.

The second half saw Central pile on the pressure, but Sidmouth stood firm, and again looked dangerous on the break, as Isaac Thomas saw his intelligent runs create a couple of good chances which were saved by the ‘keeper. Still and Powell stood out for sheer graft and energy, as Sidmouth cruised home, despite a late Central consolation.

Top Scorers @ 11/12/10

Will Jenkins 9
Conor Ellis 4
Sam Gosling 4
Will Price 3
Doug Still 3
Lee Clayden 3
Will Sanders 3
Isaac Thomas 2
Joe Blackmore 1

Excellent stuff, boys. Home again this Saturday, as Bradninch visit Newton Pop.

Sidmouth 0 Alphington 3 (Cup)

In a flat, disappointing performance lacking spark or passion, the boys should be grateful to ‘keeper Dec Lines, who produced an outstanding display. Lines was called into action time after time, as a lack of commitment all over the pitch saw the ball given away far too easily.

Alphington are a decent team, but Sidmouth could have actually have been 2 goals up in the first 10 minutes as a fine move saw Doug Still put clean through on goal, but the usually reliable skipper was caught in 2 minds and scuffed his shot. Then a loose ball from a corner should have been smashed into the net but again, slow reactions and a lack of commitment saw the chance go begging.

Alphington then dominated the middle part of the game, with a quick, athletic attack causing Sidmouth lots of problems. Dan Powell had his hands full with a lightning-fast winger, and did very well in sticking to his task, at least trying to take responsibility by changing his approach in dealing with the threat by adopting a more physical approach, which was good to see.

It was no surprise to see Alphington take the lead, and they never really looked under threat until the final 15 minutes, when Sidmouth did at least muster a few chances when 3-nil down. A further concern for the Sidmouth defence was that they didn’t get a head on any of the countless corners and crosses that were sent into their box.

Overall, a very poor display;- the only bright spots being the displays of Lines, Powell, and Still. Expect changes to be made on Saturday as the Manager looks to see a more committed approach when the boys take on Cullompton in the league, 10.30 ko at Newton Pop.

Sidmouth 6 Hemyock 2 (League)

On a glorious Newton Pop morning, it was the Dads who took centre-stage before this match, doing their version of ‘Ground-Force’ to roll, add soil and sift the stones from the part of the pitch decimated by our friends from the Environment Agency. Once the furrows had been dealt with, a great game ensued.

Hemyock have struggled in recent seasons, but they were a different proposition this time around, with some big, physical and determined players, who gave Sidmouth a bit of a shock in the first 15 minutes, as they were given no time on the ball and faced a succession of heavy challenges. It was no surprise as Hemyock took the lead, which seemed to wake the boys from their usual slumbers.

From then on, Sidmouth seemed to rise to the challenge. After Dec Lines made an outstanding save to prevent Hemyock’s lead being doubled, the boys woke up;- Dan Corrick led the change with one shuddering 40/60 challenge that seemed to spur on the rest of the team. From then on, the backline of Corrick, Deehan-Jackson, Powell and Griffiths were equal to their physical opponents, and belief swept through the rest of the team. The ball was moved out from the congested centre of the park to wide men Will Jenkins and Will Sanders, who had the beating of their full-backs and started feeding forwards Conor Ellis and Isaac Thomas, who suddenly rekindled the sort of appetite last seen on last season’s tour, getting stuck in to their markers with far more relish than of late.

Soon a heavy challenge in the box led to a penalty, dispatched by Jenkins to keep his goal-a-game ratio going. Thomas followed with a fine finish, ignoring the spring-loaded linesman’s flag to volley home emphatically. Jenkins then skinned his marker and pulled the ball back into the path of Sanders, whose finish from the edge of the box took the net off its hinges! Half-time 3-1.

The 2nd half saw more of the same, as Hemyock tired. Fine play down both flanks saw a succession of near misses, before Ellis smashed home a rebound from Sanders’ shot, on the spot as any centre-forward needs to be. The introduction of Sam Gosling gave further impetus and he wasted no time in finishing impressively after another fine move. Ellis smacked the bar from 25 yards before Lee Clayden showed a very original take on a far-post run off a corner to score the 6th, coming from off the pitch to ram home Toby Seldon’s cross to complete the scoring.

For the Manager, defenders Corrick, Deehan-Jackson and Griffiths edged the honours by showing the physical commitment to win the game, with the skill of Jenkins and Sanders providing the cutting edge out wide.

Well played boys, let’s see that same determination in the Cup this Sat, home vs high-flyers Alphington.

9 matches played so far.... current goalscorers as follows;

Sidmouth 8 Central Spitfires 0 (friendly)

This friendly match served as a real confidence-boost to the boys, who just need to convert this form into league points to move up the table.

Against a team blooding a number of fringe players, the win was never in doubt once centre-forward Conor Ellis donned his scoring boots to notch 2 well-taken goals in quick succession. Further goals followed from Will Sanders, who looked dangerous throughout with his intelligent movement, and Will Jenkins, who kept his 6-match scoring run going by getting the final touch on an excellent Toby Seldon corner.

The 2nd half saw even better play by the boys, as some neat attacking play down both flanks saw superb finishes from Sam Gosling (2), Sanders, and the ever-consistent Doug Still.

There were excellent performances from full-backs Toby Littlewood and Isaac Thomas, and the versatile Riordan Deehan-Jackson got his head to everything that came his way, sometimes with painful results! Sanders, Jenkins and Dan Powell were also prominent in some super football in the 2nd half.

A welcome clean-sheet was another boost as the boys look to carry this form forward.

Will Jenkins 6
Will Price 3
Conor Ellis 3
Doug Still 3
Sam Gosling 3
Lee Clayden 2
Will Sanders 2
Isaac Thomas 1

Alphington 5 Sidmouth 1 (League)

Alphington had a record of scored 39, conceded 1, from their 3 matches going into this encounter. That Sidmouth finished the game disappointed in having not got something out of this match speaks volumes for the excellent performance for the vast majority of the match.

This did not include the first 5 minutes, however, as the boys conceded 2 goals to unchallenged headers in their box off set-plays.... something they will be working on in training. Sloppy preparation before the game did not help, and the boys, as so often, took 10 minutes to wake up!

But for the next hour, Sidmouth more than matched their high-flying rivals. Conor Ellis broke free in the box and saw his shot come back off the post, then a period of pressure saw a number of set-pieces flash narrowly wide. Then, off a Will Sanders corner, Will Jenkins stabbed the ball home to convert his 5th goal in 6 games. Sidmouth soaked up a lot of pressure, with full-backs Joe Griffiths and Dan Powell prominent alongside centre-halves Dan Hulin and Billy Eveleigh, with sweeper Will Price covering the defence. In goal, Dec Lines’ positioning saw him take a number of shots without looking troubled, with his customary ‘wonder-save’ in turning one point-blank effort onto the post.

Alphington came out fired up after the interval, but again Sidmouth matched them, with Doug Still and Will Jenkins getting stuck in in midfield and Sanders looking lively upfront. It took until 70 minutes for the hosts to score again, after a mistake in defence gifted them a 3rd goal. Even then, Powell and Jenkins came close, but the scoreline was spoiled as 2 late goals gave a scoreline that was not a true reflection of Sidmouth’s efforts.
Griffiths edged man-of-the-match, but the squad as a whole impressed;- once again, if they can rule out the gifted goals to their opponents then Sidmouth will be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season.

Pinhoe 5 Sidmouth 4 (League)

Where to start with this game!! It had a bit of everything, both good and bad. Ultimately this was 3 points lost when you look back at the fact that Pinhoe were gifted at least 2 goals, combined with a couple of glorious chances that Sidmouth failed to score;- however you cannot avoid the excellent spirit which brought the boys back into a game that appeared lost, only to fall short at the end.

It was a strange game;- on a pitch that appeared extremely long, Sidmouth settled well defensively, though rarely threatened in the first half-hour;- only Dec Lines’ long kicks caused any sign of danger as the strong wind took them as far as his opposite number. Isaac Thomas had a shot saved on the break, then the first of a number of unsavoury incidents occurred as Dan Powell was kicked off the ball by the Pinhoe centre-forward.
Sidmouth replied in the best way possible, as Will Price arrowed a tremendous 35-yard free-kick over the keeper and under the bar for a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, Price saw another free-kick hit the crossbar as Sidmouth looked to increase the lead.
Then Sidmouth had a mad 10 minutes, first failing to clear their lines, then secondly passing the ball straight to the Pinhoe forward to gift 2 soft goals. The way the Pinhoe goalscorers celebrated was wholly inappropriate though as they sought to goad the Vikings players and management, trying to provoke a reaction.

This bad feeling carried into the 2nd half as the young referee had all of his decisions challenged by Pinhoe players running up to him with histrionics straight off the telly. This was a shame as Pinhoe did have some very good players;- their young forward was lightning quick and went on to score another goal on the break as Sidmouth looked down and out at 3-1.
Then a switch of positions, with Price moving into midfield, presented all sorts of problems for Pinhoe. Before long Price scored his second from the edge of the box, then Sidmouth had a goal disallowed for offside before seeing Doug Still prod fractionally wide with the supporters sure the ball was going in! Once again, Pinhoe capitalised on the break to make it 4-2, but Sidmouth were not beaten yet and deservedly earned a penalty when Will Jenkins was chopped down;- Price calmly slotting home for a super hat-trick.

Further drama was to follow;- this time the Pinhoe keeper rugby-tackled Jenkins as he was through on goal;- a definite pen but crucially no sending off, as Jenkins saw a decent penalty superbly saved by the offender! Even then he saved a shot from Jenks off the resulting corner to rub salt in the wound!
Once again, Sidmouth conceded a soft goal for the Pinhoe 5th, but even then the impressive Powell linked up with Price down the right to set up Jenkins for a searing finish into the top corner. Sidmouth finally ran out of time as the ref blew to end a passionate and heated game.