By Dick Sturch

Millwey Rise FC 1sts 1, Sidmouth Town 3rds 1

Overall this match was disappointing as far as cohesive football was concerned.

The long ball seemed the way out for both sides and while there were attempts to play the short pass, accuracy was found wanting in most instances.

A Luke Thurlow shot went close for Rise in the 15th minute and 10 minutes later Sidmouth went ahead, capitalising on what happens when you string a few passes together. The rest of the half again reverted to misplaced passes and long clearances.

At the start of the second period the visitors again came close when a vicious cross-shot skimmed Brett Garner's far post. They made further inroads into the Millwey defence where Imram Chowdray was outstanding ably assisted by Alex Rockett, but keeper Garner was constantly called upon to intercept the threat of a further goal.

In the 35th minute of the half came the best Millwey move of the match. Rockett began a series of passes out of defence and continued his run to fire home the equaliser which gave the visitor's keeper no chance. The final minutes reverted to a plethora of misplaced passes and ballooned clearances.

The young Sidmouth team proved a handful for Rise who were without Nathan Womersley and skipper Haydn Lewis through injury. Sam Turner, Millwey's playmaker, was prominent in midfield but nan-of-the-match went to defender Imram Chowdray.

Next Saturday Millwey are away to table- topping Farway (kick-off 2-15pm).

Meanwhile Millwey 2nd X1, where the majority of players are youngsters, found that this policy doesn't always pay when you are looking for transport. Consequently they had to call off their game away at Bow through the lack of it.