By Dick Sturch

Sidmouth Town 3rds 2, Millwey Rise 1sts 2

The last game of 2021 was an evenly matched affair but Millwey had the edge without taking full advantage of the opportunities they created.

They opened with three corners in quick succession, the final one being headed goalward by striker Shane Featherstone only for the home side's keeper to save it on his goal line.

Sidbury then seized on some sloppy play by the Rise defence and a fierce strike hit Brett Garner's bar and from the resulting follow-up he brought off a superb save to keep the ball out.

Millwey finally took the lead from some neat footwork from Sam Turner to feed Luke Thurlow who placed the ball wide of the Sidmouth keeper.

Thurlow came close again with a powerful strike which the keeper touched around the post to safety.

Shortly before the half time whistle Rise failed to get the ball clear and when it fell to Sidmouth's Mark Hadleigh he volleyed the ball home from inside the box giving Garner no chance.

The second half began with the play swinging from end to end until Sidmouth gained a corner. From the resulting kick Ben Squance headed home for their second.

This spurred Millwey on and Thurlow again came close forcing the keeper into a smart save to keep out his goal bound shot. Zak Meaker produced a great run through the Sidmouth defence before putting Thurlow through on goal. His strike hit the upright and fell to Shane Featherstone who forced the ball over the line to equalise.

Young Joe Osborne was brought on and immediately came into the game with a powerful shot just past the post. He continued to be a real thorn in the Sidmouth's side for the remainder of the game.

Millwey came close again from a free kick but no one could get a foot on an inviting ball before it was gratefully grabbed by the keeper.

Zak Meaker beat several Sidmouth defenders before unleashing a strike that skidded across an empty goalmouth and then a Nathan Womersley's shot sailed past the upright.

A few minutes later Osborne cleverly swivelled on a through ball and struck the ball just wide of the home side's goal.

The final action of the match saw Garner pull off a fantastic save to keep out the ball from the follow-up to a Sidmouth corner.

This was an entertaining game, lots of effort, several chances for both teams and some great individual performances on both sides.

For Millwey Zak Meaker and Haydn Lewis were outstanding in defence, Sam Turner was a midfield dynamo and Luke Thurlow a constant threat up front with, as ever, a confident display from Garner between the sticks.