Tuesday 29th April - Honiton (A)

Two thumping wins in three days confirmed Sidmouth U13’s as Division 2 Champions with a record so far of played 17, won 16 and scoring nearly 150 goals in the process.

The first victory was attained against second in the table Seaton, on a glorious summer evening on the Sidmouth Town first team pitch. After a nervy start Toby Garrick and Louis Spalding set up Matt Salter who scored with a delightful finish over the visiting keeper. However Seaton took this on the chin and drove forward in numbers with James Emmett putting in some sensational tackles to resist several attacks before Sidmouth goalkeeper Oram Bramble was called upon to make a breath-taking block from close range to keep the Viking’s lead intact. As the half wore on Tom Moore produced a sensational 25 yard strike which hit the bar, rebounded and struck the unfortunate keeper on the back before rolling into the net.

Barely had play restarted after half-time when Jack Miller was fouled in the area and Moore dispatched the penalty. Sidmouth remained dominant and in control of the game but lacked their normal cutting edge. Jacob Rice eventually provided the icing on the cake when he cut in from the right and scored with a thumping shot. Man of the Match was James Emmett.

This meant that Sidmouth only needed a point from their game at Heavitree two days later to secure first place in the league and things did not start well with the home team going ahead after just a few minutes. Gradually Sidmouth brought themselves back into the game with Sam Fernley and Luke Spiller combining superbly down the right hand side. Both were prominent in the build up for Sidmouth’s first three goals scored by Jay Harris (2) and Ben Goodier. Harris completed an excellent first half hatrick with a header after good work by Toby Garrick.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first with Heavitree scoring quickly before Sidmouth took control to run out comfortable 7 – 1 winners. The goals came from a Moore penalty, after Goodier was fouled, a superb individual effort by Miller and an own goal after great pressure from Louis Spalding. Man of the match was Luke Spiller.

Sidmouth now have one match left when they hope to break the 150 goal barrier in what has been an outstanding season.

Sidmouth took apart a hardworking Feniton team despite not being at their very best. This emphatic victory cements their place at the top of the league with just three games to go.
Sidmouth were on top from the start and Louis Adey missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead but managed to hit the bar when it was easier to score. Toby Garrick and Adey again would both also hit the bar before half-time. However these frustrations were ameliorated by some clinical finishing with Matt Salter scoring the first and the last goals of the half after being put through by defence piercing passes. Further goals were scored by Garrick after great work by Adey and then Adey himself, however the pick of the goals was a twenty yard screamer from Louis Spalding. An excellent first half performance which left the visitors five goals to the good at half-time.

Despite more goals in the second half, the Vikings found it tougher and were put under more pressure by Feniton. Goalie Oram Bramble was called upon to make a number of saves and defenders James Emmett and Jay Harris had to make crucial tackles. However Feniton did get one back through a sharp finish. Sidmouth combined well to play some quality passing football at times and scored further goals through Jack Miller and two from makeshift centre forward Ben Goodier. The final goal was the pick of the bunch which started with a throw by goalkeeper Bramble and after a slick one touch passing movement involving five Sidmouth players, Man of the Match Salter slotted home to complete his hat-trick.

These further nine goals took the team’s tally to 135 for the season and they will be hoping to pass the 150 mark during the final three games (or is that being too greedy?!).

On a “new” home pitch at Sidmouth College, a rampant U13 team annihilated Beacon Knights with a superb team performance. The team has now scored 126 goals in just 14 games so far this season.
Despite only being four goals to the good at half-time, the first half performance was simply outstanding. All members of the team played with a real intensity that unsettled the Beacon Knights team whilst spraying the ball around at will. Jay Harris had a superb half on the left being provider for the first goal which was knocked in by Louis Spalding and then scoring two himself – the first from an excellent Tom Moore through ball and the second from a neat Jack Miller lay off. Just before half-time the outstanding Moore was brought down in the penalty area and he stepped up himself to finish clinically, not once but twice, after the ref asked for the kick to be retaken.
The second half started poorly with a breakaway goal for the Knights but this was the wake up call that Sidmouth needed and they started to raise their game immediately. Harris was the first to score and become the first of three players to complete hat-tricks during the game. Tom Moore controlled the game with a mixture of strength, tenacity, vision and maturity deservedly winning the Man of the Match award. His final two goals were of the highest quality – one a 25 yard strike and the second a free kick from 20 yards which sailed into the top corner. Miller was the third hat-trick hero and all three goals were set up by unselfish team mates with Miller showing great composure to finish clinically. The other goals were shared out amongst the team with Sam Fernly and Ollie Truman demonstrating how rarely they score by not knowing quite how to celebrate. It is reputed to be Truman’s first goal in over 50 appearances! Toby Garrick and Louis Spalding both scored cracking goals from outside the area to leave the management team on Cloud Nine.

This was an awesome demonstration of quality football and, with just four league games left, this Sidmouth team are not only looking certainties for promotion but also look well equipped to be able to mix it with the very best teams in Division One next season.

The boys overcame a shaky start to run out comfortable winners away versus Pinhoe last Saturday, and put away enough chances to become, currently, the top-scoring team across all age groups in the Exeter Youth League.

In the first half the boys usual commitment and quality was as hard to find as the pitch had been half an hour earlier. A hatful of chances went begging, then came a landmark goal from Tom Moore - Sidmouth's 100th of the season in the league. But Pinhoe knew they were still in the game. Thankfully Sam Fernley was having a fantastic half at right back, composed & intelligent at all times. His example, and the introduction of Louis Spalding & Toby Garrick, gave our boys greater urgency. An own goal conceded under pressure from Louis Adey and another from Ben Goodier put Sidmouth 3 up at the break, but there was still a lot to do to make the game safe.

Happily Sidmouth were much more assertive in the second half, Jack Miller particularly lively on the right flank, and the chances followed. But the star of the half was Louis Adey. Time and again showing great strength and determination he put away another five goals, including a header, a chip and a sweet right footed shot from Louis Spalding's unselfish through ball. Another brace from Tom Moore plus a Luke Spiller shot which squeezed past the keeper made our tally 12, and up to 111 for the season. Really well done boys, let's just make a better start next week!!

This eagerly awaited top of the table clash finally took place under welcome blue skies in Exeter. A tremendous team performance resulted in a memorable victory that sees Sidmouth in pole position at the top of Division Two.

A scintillating start from the Vikings resulted in a siege of the Stoke Hill goal for the first ten minutes. Balls flew across the penalty area but no-one could get the decisive touch that would reward the Sidmouth team for their pressure. Doubts seemed to creep into the minds of some of the Sidmouth players and a quick break from the home team resulted in them taking the lead completely against the run of play. Gradually Sidmouth re-imposed themselves with Tom Moore, Louis Spalding and Ben Goodier developing a stranglehold on the centre of midfield and Louis Adey running tirelessly upfront. Further attacks were thwarted by the determined Stoke Hill defence with Sidmouth’s best opportunities being a header from Moore and a strike from Matt Salter that hit the post.

In the second half Sidmouth continued to play all the football and eventually drew level through a thunderous strike from Jack Miller who was subsequently mobbed by his team mates. With Salter becoming more prominent on the left and Jacob Rice causing all sorts of problems up front it was no surprise when Rice converted after great work from man of the match Moore. Further attacks from Stoke Hill were rebuffed by the Sidmouth defence with Oram Bramble, Jay Harris, Toby Garrick, James Emmett and Will Ashby all playing with a calmness that belied their years. The whole team should be congratulated for the quality of their football, their togetherness and their determination which resulted in this well-deserved victory.

Despite a sticky, narrow, slopey pitch Sidmouth U13’s eventually ran out comfortable winners to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.
After a bright start the Vikings deservedly took the lead after five minutes through a finish by Jay Harris from a Matt Salter cross. However for the next twenty minutes the game became bogged down in a packed midfield and gradually Dawlish came back into the game and levelled the scores. The introduction of Jacob Rice started to change the game and in a purple patch just before half-time Rice finished powerfully from a great cross from Luke Spiller. A minute later Spiller was again the creator and Louis Adey slotted home smartly.
After half-time, with a change in formation to reduce the congestion in midfield, Sidmouth had the advantage of attacking downhill and used it superbly. Ben Goodier started to boss the midfield and Mat Salter became much more involved too. These changes soon paid off with Rice finishing off a Tom Moore cross. Against the run of play Dawlish pulled a goal back to bring the score back to 4 – 2. However from that point there was no more Dawlish threat as Sidmouth’s dominance resulted in a series of excellent goals as they started to use the width more effectively. Jack Miller made it five before Ben Goodier hit two long range shots that were both saved but spilled by the keeper allowing Moore and Miller to tap in. Goodier eventually got on the scoresheet himself scoring two goals, the second being a 20 yard free kick into the top corner. The other two goals were both scored in the 6 yard box but were of contrasting quality. The pick of them was a superb cross from Salter who planted the ball straight on the head of big Jack Miller who butted the ball home while Adey finished the rout by poking the ball past the keeper.
An emphatic victory with Man of the Match Rice having a real influence on proceedings. This leaves Sidmouth second in the table with a game in hand. Total goals scored by Sidmouth in nine games is 89!

The U13's gave a creditable performance against a physical St Martins team who are currently second in the division above. Although an even game in terms of possession, St Martins were stronger and more clinical. The Sidmouth team gave them a little bit too much respect and eventually the pressure told. Lots of positives can be taken from the game but if Sidmouth do gain promotion this year they know that next year they will have to be tougher and more prepared to put sides like this under more pressure.

After a string of comfortable wins Sidmouth faced a sterner test last Saturday away versus in-form Beacon Knights.

Although Sidmouth went one up early on through Luke Spiller at the far-post, the home side quickly retaliated on the break. Then two more through a stylish Matt Salter curler and Louis Spalding's neat finish were quickly countered by another breakaway goal. At 3-2 down the Knights felt in it, and chasing an equaliser they were winning all the 50/50s, one or two Sidmouth players going AWOL as it got more physical.

Fortunately a couple of defensive lapses were pounced on by Matt Salter who punished both with great finishing. 5-2 up, but still not comfortable!

The Knights started the second half strongly, forcing three excellent saves from keeper Oran Bramble. It was a turning point, and from here on Sidmouth took control. Louis Adey showed great strength in the box to score twice, and Goodier, Salter & Moore hit the woodwork. Meanwhile Truman kept his opposing striker firmly under his thumb, and wingbacks Fernley & Ashby brought real dynamism going forward.

Sidmouth's work-rate was now much better and faced with skilful, flowing football the home side became ragged. A Garrick blaster plus Adey's third made it 9, Jack Miller almost making it 10 to avenge a poor tackle on Luke Spiller.

9-2 at the final whistle, and an excellent reminder of the commitment as well as good football it takes to win matches!

Sidmouth TJV U13s 14 Pinhoe Sharks 0
On a glorious autumn morning at Sidford, the U13’s thrashed Pinhoe Sharks by 14 goals to nil to continue their excellent season. It was an awesome display by a team lacking a number of players including the captain and goalkeeper.
After last week’s lacklustre finishing Sidmouth found a much more clinical edge and were ahead before the first minute was up with Louis Spalding heading home from an excellent Tom Moore corner. This set the tone for the rest of the first half and from another corner Moore rose highest to head past the visiting keeper. For the next twenty minutes it became the Two Louis’ Show with Louis Spalding and Louis Adey quickly notching first half hatricks. The pick of these goals was a sublime turn and shot into the top corner by Adey and an excellent team move involving Matt Salter, Ben Goodier and Luke Spiller with a great finish by Spalding. The tireless Jay Harris finished from the edge of the box to take the score to 9 – 0 at half-time.
In the second half Pinhoe came into the game more and both temporary custodians – Sam Fernly and later Tom Moore, took their duties very seriously and refused to be beaten. In front of them, Ollie Truman was his usual cool, calm self and made it difficult for the Sharks’ attackers. Before taking over in goal Moore showed his prowess at the other end of the pitch when he turned in the opposition penalty area and finished in the corner. Man of the Match Spalding scored his fifth when he chased a through ball and slotted the ball into the corner. Ben Goodier then finished from the edge of the box before Adey was unceremoniously upended in the box with Salter scoring the resultant penalty. Goal number fourteen was a peach of a strike by Toby Garrick into the top corner.
So the Vikings march on relentlessly. Another outstanding team performance coupled with clinical finishing. Next week is the first of two consecutive away games, the first being at Beacon Knights.

Although this was an emphatic victory, there was an air of frustration at the end of the game due to the number of chances that Sidmouth scorned. At times the home team sprayed the ball around beautifully but on countless occasions this possession was not converted into goals.

Intense Sidmouth pressure on the Honiton goal led to striker Jack Miller hitting the ball against an unsuspecting defender who put into his own goal. Miller then followed up with another close range finish after good work by Ben Goodier and Tom Moore who were exerting considerable influence in the middle of the pitch, combining particularly well with Matt Salter on the left. With the Sidmouth coaching team asking why Will Ashby had gone out of position for a corner, he promptly shut them up by poking the ball home for Sidmouth's third. The final goal of the half was scored by Jay Harris who followed up a Salter shot that was saved by the keeper and slotted the ball into the corner of the goal.

Despite a change of formation Sidmouth continued to dominate in the second half. Miller scored again before Honiton gave themselves hope by finishing a ball over the top. Sidmouth created numerous chances mainly through Luke Spiller, Louis Spalding and Ben Goodier before man of the match Goodier and then Moore curled sublime finishes after good attacking play.

Another convincing win for the Sidmouth youngsters which pushes them back up towards the top of the table with an average of nearly ten goals per game.

The U13’s set out on their annual cup campaign by completely taking apart their League Two rivals Feniton. Sidmouth were dominant in every area and ruthless in their approach.

The Vikings were two up after only four minutes. The first was a cross/shot by Luke Spiller which flew past the keeper and the second a scrappy own goal. It took a while for Sidmouth to get into full swing and sub Jay Harris added impetus down the left setting up the next two goals scored by Jack Miller and Matt Salter. Before long Miller had added his second and Salter also finished coolly after a cross by Spiller. By this time the away team were starting to run the opposition ragged, moving the ball effectively despite the undulating pitch. The holding midfield combination of Ollie Truman and Ben Goodier picked up any loose balls and looked to feed the wide players. Louis Spalding scored the seventh goal after a lofted through ball by Toby Garrick who also laid on another which Goodier finished. The last two goals of the first half oozed quality. The first was a defence splitting ball from Man of the Match Goodier, Miller feinted this way and that, went round two players and slotted home while the other was a sublime chip from Salter.

With Sidmouth ten goals to the good at half-time a variety of positional changes were made in order to test and challenge players in unfamiliar positions. James Emmett found himself up front and immediately made a great run down the right hand side and crossed to striking partner Louis Adey who laid off for Tom Moore to strike home. Further second half goals were scored by Harris, Adey, Spiller, Garrick and a further two from Salter before Feniton scored a deserved consolation in the last minute to make the final score 17 – 1.

Overall this was a clinical performance by the Sidmouth team but credit must go to Feniton for never giving up the fight.

Sidmouth came into this game expecting one of their toughest games of the season but a superb team performance resulted in an emphatic victory.

Sidmouth dominated from the off but took time to adapt to a new formation as well as a huge pitch. Matt Salter, Ben Goodier and Jacob Rice quickly took total control of the centre of midfield and the Seaton defence was soon getting pulled in all directions. However frustration started to build as, despite their dominance, the Vikings could not take advantage of the openings created. Nerves were finally settled when Salter hit a well placed shot from just outside the box into the bottom corner giving th keeper no chance to ensure that Sidmouth went into the break a goal to the good.

The second half saw Sidmouth step up a gear, A superb cross from Louis Adey was expertly steered in by Louis Spalding before Tom Moore and Jack Miller added two more following goalmouth scrambles. The Seaton defence were run ragged in the last fifteen minutes with some scintillating football played by the buoyant Vikings. Jacob Rice celebated a superb return to the team with a second half hatrick - the first an exquisite chip after a superb ball by Miller, the second a classy finish after wining the ball back following great work by Luke Spiller before a clinical strike sealed the hatrick. Man of the match Louis Adey put the icing on the cake with a cheeky back heel giving the keeper no chance.

This was a superb performance from the U13s who totally outclassed the opposition playing an outstanding brand of football. The result leaves them second in the table but with a goal difference of +42 from just five games.

On a warm, sunny morning at Sidford, the U13’s put the disappointment of last week’s defeat behind them with a classy performance against Heavitree. There was simplicity in the play but also a cohesiveness in the team which knocked the stuffing out of the visitors.
Sidmouth were a goal up within two minutes when Ben Goodier let rip from over twenty yards giving the visiting keeper no chance. Heavitree responded positively and despite a brilliant initial save from Oran Bramble in the Sidmouth goal, they managed to bundle in an equaliser. Soon afterwards the home team regained the initiative with a great strike from Jack Miller before Toby Garrick made the half-time score 3 – 1.
Having dominated the first half but having missed numerous opportunities, Sidmouth started to show a more ruthless streak. Garrick scored his second less than a minute after the restart with a trademark piledriver from outside the box. Sidmouth then turned on the style with Matt Salter dominating the midfield, threading countless balls of the highest quality to the willing runners in green. At various times Sam Fernley, Luke Spiller and Louis Adey provided the width and put numerous quality balls into the box. The outstanding Miller ended up with four goals and the others were scored by Fernley (a rasping drive), Louis Spalding, Jay Harris and Louis Adey.
Despite not scoring himself, Matt Salter was a thoroughly deserved Man of the Match for outwitting the opposition at every opportunity and for setting up over half the goals.

After stormy overnight conditions, the sun came out and the Sidford pitch looked excellent prior to this early season top of the table clash. The Sidmouth youngsters knew that they had a tough game ahead and in the first half ran rings around the opposition and looked like they would end up comfortable winners. How wrong would this ultimately be?

With Matt Salter and Tom Moore controlling the midfield, Louis Spalding making runs here, there and everywhere, Sidmouth, built up a huge head of momentum which resulted in them hitting the woodwork four times! Toby Garrick's 25m screamer hit the bar while Sam Fernley’s jinking run, in which he beat three opposition players, ended up with a shot against the upright. Sidmouth were in such total control that it was scarcely believable when a defensive mishap resulted in a one on one which left keep Oran Bramble with no chance. Stoke Hill were one up at the break.

After half-time, however, the game changed completely. Stoke Hill got an early fortunate goal, Sidmouth heads dropped and the cohesive passing game fell apart. Stoke Hill scored three further goals with a late strike from Jay Harris as a small consolation at the death. Sidmouth's Man of the Match was captain James Emmett who was calm, strong and assured throughout the game.

This is a wake up call to all the players that they have to be on their game for the full seventy minutes and keep trying to play the simple effective football that controlled the first half to such a great extent.

After scoring fourteen goals last week STJV U13’s put in an even more destructive performance scoring 17 goals past a struggling Dawlish side. The attacking potency in the team has already seen Sidmouth surpass their total goals scored for the whole of last season.

The rout was started in just the second minute with Sam Fernley scoring the first of his four goals – a commendable effort seeing as he spent part of the game at right back – he scored his hatrick inside fifteen minutes! Attacking play of real quality meant that by half-time Sidmouth were already ten goals to the good, the pick of which was an outstanding jink and strike in the top right hand corner by Jack Miller. Other goals in the half were finished off by Louis Spalding, Tom Moore, Louis Adey, another by Miller, a penalty cooly slotted home by captain James Emmett and an own goal after tremendous pressure by Matt Salter.

At half-time the coaching team encouraged Sidmouth to keep playing simple football and to spread the ball wide. However when you are outclassing the opposition to such an extent this is not always easy and at times the football became a bit too direct resulting in the ball being given away a little too easily at times. This allowed Dawlish to break and score two goals, one just after the break and one just before the end. However with Matt Salter threading the ball into the gaps for others to chase there were many opportunities on offer for further damage resulting in goals from Luke Spiller (2), man of the match Fernley and Spalding. Miller with one more and Adey with a further two both completed their hatricks.

After these two opening emphatic wins, Sidmouth sit just behind leaders Stoke Hill who they play next week. This will be a much tougher fixture and one where the Vikings need to be at the top of their game.

After last season’s disappointment and frustration STJV U13’s started the new season off in scintillating fashion with an emphatic 14 – 1 victory over Brixington Blues. The scoreline did not flatter the Sidmouth team who simply outplayed the opposition with neat passing football and outstanding movement off the ball. This result sends out a clear marker to other teams in the division that this U13 team is determined to regain its place in the top division.
Sidmouth’s four new outfield players – Ben Goodier, Louis Adey, Tom Moore and Luke Spiller all notched at various points with Spiller capping a superb display on the right hand side of midfield with a hatrick. The remaining goals were scored by Matt Salter, Louis Spalding, Toby Garrick, Jay Harris, an own goal and another hatrick, this time from Jordan Watts. Watts won the Man of the Match Award for his goals, the second of which was a goal of the season contender, but also for his never say die attitude and his ability to bring other people into the game.
A fantastic performance from all members of the squad and a great way to start the season.