Sidmouth Town 2 Axminster 0

The Vikings picked up their second win in 5 days with this victory over their mid table neighbours. On their grassy Manstone pitch it was the hosts who settled the quicker although chances at both ends were scarce. It wasnt until the 43rd min that a free kick pumped into the Axminster box was glanced on by Mike Stamp into an empty net to give the Vikings the lead. The second half was 10 mins old when a Sam Banks through ball was played into the box by Dave Green and Sam Baker’s effort trickled over the line to safeguard all three points.

Paddy writes: Of course I’m pleased with our second win, I just felt we could have played better. Civil will put us to the test and we will not be at full strength due to 3 or 4 absentees so players will need to focus on what we ask of them

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Chagford 2 Sidmouth Town 0

Sidmouth came home from there basement battle at Chagford beaten 2-0 in a game they should really have won. With both teams fighting against relegation it was always going to be tight and it was. The Vikings that had looked the best bet to score, but just after 30 minutes it was Chagford that went ahead from a very good finish and despite town creating plenty of chances it stayed 1-0 at the break.

In the second half a change in formation saw Sidmouth totally dominating the play and their hosts were reduced to long hopeful punts out from defence, try as they may the ball wouldn’t find its target and in a rare break the hosts number 8 scored the killer second goal with 2 minutes remaining.

A dejected Nick Ogden writes: everyone is quite down at the moment but we have to buck up quick and work hard to get the points we need. Some of our finishing was horrific and we really should be doing better. I thought we created enough chances to have won 3 games but if you can’t score you won’t win, we now have 4 home games to come and we need to pick up at least 3 wins”. Kieran Small was m.o.m.

Crediton 1 Sidmouth Town 2

The Vikings returned victorious from their basement battle bringing home three points for the first time this season.
With pride at stake a “nine pointer” was keenly fought out on a grassy but bobbly Crediton pitch.
Town with their side packed with Western League players as Veale,Kirtons manager suggested, were by far superior as up to 12 regular starters sat & watched from the stands!
The game started with Creditons players showing good individual touches but the Vikings had the clearer chances especially Nick Gingell who froze like the proverbial “rabbit in the headlights” when twice put through with only the keeper to beat.
The hosts went close when a shot-cum cross was well judged by Jack Burgess to clear the bar and at the opposite end Matt Rasmussen had a great effort blocked by the goalie.
Just as it seemed the sides would finish the half all square a Darren Thomas ball to Sam Baker was fed to Rasmussen who swivelled and played a perfectly weighted through ball to Andy Isaacs who expertly dispatched the ball into the far corner to give the Vikings the lead.
Crediton came at the visitors in the second half but the Viking defence of Lord, Griffiths, Badcock and Thomas stood firm. Chances went begging to increase the lead for the visitors before Kirtons equaliser with a well executed free kick from 25 yards brought the sides level.
Surely the midfield of Baker, Stamp, Raistrick and Gingell would conjour up chances for that elusive first victory. On 70 minutes Baker was again instrumental with firstly great control, then beating two men with a dummy and played a square ball to Alex Raistrick who gave the keeper no chance from 25yards with a rasping effort that went in via the post.
Cue wild celebrations from the players, management and a noisy support from the Vikings supporters who must have doubled the gate.
Crediton came back as expected hitting the post on one occasion whilst at the other end Rasmussen, Isaacs and Hudson all squandered decent openings to increase the lead. As it was it was enough to see them home and give a massive boost to all concerned with the club.

Paddy writes: I am so relieved, pleased, and proud for everyone, we have played a lot better and lost!
Personally I want to thank all the committee, players, members & staff at the club for their total backing in what has been a truly frustrating season. A real “ninepointer” whatever that means? Western League players? On that showing I would hope not! Mike Stamp even bought some beers! Followed by Chairman Colin Ralls, all this in one evening was too much to take in.

Alphington 1 Sidmouth Town 0

Town lost their latest in a long run of away games on possibly the worst prepared pitch in this league. Neither side could reasonably be expected to play football on a pitch that would look out of place in junior African leagues. In a scrappy match chances were at a premium and after Andy Isaacs had gone close in the first half, Town didn’t create much until the hour mark when Sam Banks was adjudged to have impeded the Alphas keeper, with skipper Mike Stamp ready to tap into an empty net. Alphington for their part created a couple of chances that keeper Artur Halka did well to keep out, one of them a 40 yard volley. As has been the story this season, bad luck , bad judgement, and silly mistakes have all cost the Vikings points this season. On this occasion the official deemed the Alphas challenge on Halka to be legitimate and the only goal of the game was awarded. Joe Nield had a couple of chances shortly after joining the action but yet again a loss by a single goal was the outcome.

Paddy Writes: The effort and commitment was there last night for all to see. With their goal usually a foul is given, not always, but if he had given a free kick then I don’t think the hosts would have complained too loudly.

Plymstock 4 Sidmouth Town 1

Town suffered a demoralising defeat against their basement rivals on Saturday. After a strong start from the hosts Town showed little desire and a lack of communication and organisation proved their downfall, on 30 minutes Plymstock scored from a long throw which resulted in a free header that looped into the far corner. One chance came the Vikings way as Matt Rasmussen’s right footed drive was tipped over by the keeper.
The visitors responded after the interval and laid siege to the Plymstock penalty area as finally they began to play. On the hour Matt Rasmussen beat the offside trap and fired in to the corner from 25 yards to deservedly bring the Vikings level. The game was evening out but slack defending saw the hosts grab the lead again and this seemed to deflate Town who never recovered and as they poured forward in hope of an equaliser were twice caught out as Plymstock finished off the contest.

Paddy Thomas Writes: To say I am disappointed is a massive understatement. For the first time in months the majority of players let themselves down. We have 5 games left and we will make changes where necessary. We cant make excuses for players missing as the squad was good enough for a 20 minute period in the second half to test an average side. Unfortunately for the other 70 minutes we were not at our best and you can’t succeed in this league when that happens.

Saturday The 20th Results

The 1st team travelled to Plymstock and were beaten 4-1 Matt Rasmussen scores for the Vikings.

The reserves made the long trip to Halwill and were beaten 4-0.

Sidmouth Town Sunday Withdrawn From League

Sidmouth town Sunday have been withdrawn from the Exeter & District Sunday League. We were unable to fulfill the fixture against Black Swan on Sunday 14th and are unable to raise a side for the 18th v Henrys Cronies and with no liklihood of things improving the decision was made to withdraw the team.