Brixington Utd 2 vs Brixington Blues 9

It's commonly said that more is learnt from defeat than victory and United will certainly feel that after this defeat against an excellent Blues side. United trudged off at half time, having conceded seven without reply. Their performance lacking the belief and confidence so evident in previous weeks.

United more than matched their lofty opponents in the first 10 minutes, in which United forced 3 corners in quick succession. However United's confidence drained on conceding the first goal as the Blues relentlessly attacked at will. However United will also have learnt they have great character and courage. It would have been easy to have given up in the second half but United dug deep, found the self belief that had been missing in the first half and more than matched their opponents.

Ryan Ellis scored from an excellent free kick to encourage his team mates. Then Lewis Miller turned in a loose ball from a corner to add United's second and ensure a share of the second half spoils. So, if United can combined their skill and ability with this new found self belief and courage, they now know that they can compete with the best teams in their league.

 Great Game  

Honiton had to work very hard to overcome a spirited Sidmouth side in what was a nail biting encounter at St Rita's.  Sidmouth from League 3 started very brightly and caused the Honiton defence no end of problems as both sides sought an early advantage. 

It was the home side however, who scored first through joint Man of the Match Kyle Blackmore.  This lead to a great response from the Sidmouth lads, who scored 3 goals without reply, to lead at the break.  

Honiton introduced, Benjie Cramer at half time and he added a much need injection of energy to the home side and it was his goal that reduced the deficit.  When Sidmouth scored a forth, again as a result of poor defending a shock was really on the cards.  The home side added a third striker and this seemed to change the game. 

Blackmore added his second to reduce the score to 2 - 3, before Cramer equalised to the relief of the home crowd.  With the game heading for extra time, there was just time for Benjie Cramer to complete his hat-trick, sealing the win for the Honiton and in doing so earning himself a share of the Man of the Match award.    

This was a great game and the players of both sides should be congratulated for their efforts, which demonstrated, everything that is good about youth football.

United delighted their management team Carl Wilson and Adam Miller by producing a sparkling display of passing football to book their place in round 2 of the Unders Cup.

The hard work in training really paid off against a determined and organised Heavitree Rockets side that fought hard to the end.  Josh Phillips opened the scoring, his blistering shot through as crowd of players could only be palmed into the roof of the net by the Rockets keeper. United maintained the momentum in the Rockets half and had chances to extend their lead as Sam Skinner and Lewis Miller both had close range efforts that just missed the target. George Mears then regained possession with a strong challenge and his pass found Keenan Paver who surged down the left wing before crossing for Thomas Sicklemore, who just failed to get the vital touch to extend Uniteds lead.

Ryan Ellis also tested the Rockets keeper with a string of long range shots. Luke Bland worked tirelessly down the right wing supporting the attack as well as tracking back to help the defence break up any Rockets attacks. Just before the break United extended their lead when Josh Phillips chested down a Rockets clearance.

Phillips pass found Sam Skinner who slid a great ball into Thomas Sicklemore who finished clinically in the bottom corner. Uniteds third goal came early in the second half when Skinner and Owen Corrick exchanged passes before Ryan Ellis thumped home the loose ball from long range. The Rocketâ€^TMs still posed a threat and a superb goal line clearance from Lewis Miller prevented the Rockets from pulling a goal back. Keeper Josh Maunder also bravely blocked another goal bound effort to maintain Uniteds clean sheet. Robert Crole, Luke Bland and Jake Sharp all worked incredibly hard defensively in the second half to keep the Rockets attacks at bay. United scored a fourth when a great tackle by Robert Crole broke up another Rockets attack .

Croles pass found Keenan Paver who raced forward before sending a great cross into the Rockets box. The ball found its way to Jake Sharp at the far post where he calmly brought the ball under control before thumping it past the Rockets keeper.