Sidmouth Town 2nd team captain Jack Howe was delighted with the team’s performance after a 4-2 win against Upottery FC.
A double from Scott Hughes and goals from Kieran White and Frank Long gave the Vikings the breakthrough into the second round of the East Devon Senior Cup.
Town took a setback two minutes into the game where Ben Miller received a sin bin from referee Hayden Austin for dissent, Viking’s captain said “We usually play with a three back so it was frustrating having to change that early on to a four back, we like playing attacking football with both our wingbacks but it was a blessing from disguise because we ended up scoring from it.”
Sidmouth had the game in their hands early on after going 2-0 up in the first 30 minutes with striking partnership of White and Hughes playing their part in both first half goals.
They were nearly set back after Austin pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty to the visitors. Fortunately for Sidmouth, keeper Ryan Windsor went the right way and saved the poor penalty.
“It was a scrappy game,” Howe said on the performance. “We went 1-0 up early on with a good corner routine that always works well, then soon after we extend the lead. A few mistakes here and there led us to give away a penalty just before the break, Ryan’s a good keeper and lucky for us he kept us that 2-0 lead.”
The Vikings took their first half performance straight into the second half through Long, giving the home side a three goal deficit.
The away side got one back through the penalty, but minutes later so did Sidmouth, and Hughes gained his second of the night.
Upottery got a late consolation goal in the 89th minute when they once again scored from the spot.
“We need to be more vigilant at the back, we gave away three penalties and their two goals came from them, like I said we’re fortunate for Ryan as it could have been a more tighter game.
“That was a good win, it’s always nice being the underdogs and facing the current holders of the cup, it’s nice to get the win and get them out the way as that’s one less hard opposition to worry about, but with this cup there’s no such thing as an easy game.” Howe said.
This year marks a new era for the second team as Jason Margrett was announced as new manager following the departure of Jon Miller and Mark Badcock, Howe commented on how the team has gelled under new management.
“The formation and players are still very similar its almost 99% the same as last season, which is amazing, but Jason came in with a good grace period with Jon and Mark helping him out through the transition getting to know the lads and what not. Few weeks in now and he’s brought his own implements in from his experience and it’s working well and the results show that but it’s still early days.”
Sidmouth Town 2nds now look to take that win into the league and continue their good run of form when they travel to St Martins on Saturday 19th October.
