Match Report
Saturday 16th August
Emirates FA Cup, Preliminary Round
Sidmouth Town 2-4Torpoint Athletic
With Robbie Morris at Manstone Lane

Torpoint Athletic are through to the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the third time in their history after overcoming a first half two goal deficit at Manstone Lane on Saturday afternoon and are the only Western League club remaining in the competition. Ryan Richards and Dave Barker scored late in the first half and substitute Curtis Damerell came on at the hour mark to grab a brace in the final 20 minutes to secure ‘The Point’s’ safe passage to the next round.
The visitors had their first chance on only the second minute when Callum Martindale put through Ryan Richards who laid the ball on to James Rowe, his effort just went wide of the post, past the onrushing home keeper Elliot Driver. For the next few minutes, the visitors kept on creating half chance from Adam Carter, Ryan Richards and James Rowe as they probed The Vikings defence.
On the twentieth minute the hosts had their first chance of the match when Dan Weston was played in and his effort went just over the bar.
Five minutes later the hosts took the lead completely against the run of play. Dan Weston chased down a long ball from Driver his initial shot is parried by James Morley and Louis Spalding picked up the loose ball and fire home past Morley.
A minute later to the shock of the visitors, Sidmouth Town doubled their advantage when Craig Veale put the ball through to Spalding who slotted past Morley from 18 yards, for his second goal of the afternoon.
This spurred on the visitors when in the final ten minutes of the half, they took control of the possession, with James Rowe going just wide from 15 yards.
With six minutes remaining of the half, a long ball by Callum O’Brien is found by Ryan Richards who sends his looping header over the keeper to pull a goal back. Then a minute into stoppage time, Adam Carter plays in Dave Barker who fires home past the far post for equaliser.
In the first ten minutes of the second half, Torpoint came out the brightest of both teams with Carter and Richards both going close.
On the hour mark the visitors made a double substitution with Carter and Rowe coming off for Curtis Damerell and Sam Pearson.
Seven minutes later Tom Payne puts in a great cross into the area that is found by Sam Hepworth, his header brushes the outside of the post.
On the 73rd minute the hosts were reduced to ten men when Sam Gleeson handle the ball in the area and the referee after deliberating with his assistant, awarded Torpoint a penalty. Curtis Damerell coolly converts from the spot sending Driver the wrong way.
Then with five minutes remaining the visitors double their advantage when good build up play by the midfield releases Damerell, who breaks clear of Sidmouth’s defence, his initial shot is parried by Driver, but Damerell picks up the loose ball and fires home into an empty net to put Torpoint through to the next round.

Sidmouth Town: E. Driver, H. Drew-Cull (T. Kelly 80), S. Gleeson, J. Vaugh-Ryall (L. Staniforth 90), N. Cooper, I. Furness, D. Pym (S. Camara 80), C. Hachipuka (M. Hesford 56), L. Spalding, C. Veal, D. Weston (L. Nickles 69)
Sub not used: B. Rouse, J. O’Callaghan.
Yellow cards: D. Weston 41, S. Gleeson 68.
Sidmouth Scorer: L. Spalding 25, 26

Torpoint AFC: J. Morley, D Barker (G. Hird 83), S. Hepworth, O. Haslam, C. O’Brien, E. Crawford, R. Richards (R. Simmons 81), C. Martindale, T. Payne (J. Rapson 68), J. Rowe (S. Pearson 60), A. Carter (C. Damerell 60)
Sub not used: F. Chapman.
Yellow card: R. Richards 67.
Torpoint Scorers: R. Richards 39, D. Barker 45+1, C. Damerell 73 pen, 85.

Referee: Lewis Cook
Attendance: 170 (30 away)
Men of the Match: Callum O’Brien (Torpoint AFC)