South West

Peninsular League Division East

Crediton United 3

Alphington 1

IN AN amazing "local derby" at Lords Meadow, Crediton overturned a half-time deficit to beat league leaders, Alphington.

In what was a fairly uninspired opening period, Alphington took the lead in controversial fashion when referee Iain Ibbeson allowed a quick free kick on the edge of the area. Grant Leslie stepped up and slotted the ball past a bemused Crediton defence.

Soon afterwards Wonnacott hit the bar and the Alphas continually exposed the Crediton defence, Sam Strong being pulled wide due to absence of a left sided defender.

Crediton finally had an effort on goal after 35 minutes but Wayne Baker's effort was easily saved by opposing 'keeper Nick Coles.

Only a gutsy performance from Fred Tonkin, in goal at the other end, topped the visitors from extending their lead.

The opening bars of the second period went the way of the first with Alphington in control but without looking dangerous.

Something then seemed to galvanise Crediton and Richard Blake's shot was saved on the line by Coles.

The equaliser Crediton deserved came in the 63rd minute, when Lloyd Copp's through ball caught the Alphas' defence flat-footed, leaving Wayne Baker unmarked and his shot looped over Coles to make it 1-1.

After 72 minutes, Blake latched on to a through ball and despite a "wrestling match" with opposing captain, Stuart Smith, managed to force the ball over the line for 2-1.

Crediton's confidence began to grow and Adam Bilcock fired just over from Blake's corner. Baker almost scored again, but his run on goal was halted by a foul by Johnson, which resulted in a booking for the defender.

From the resulting free kick Bilcock hit the side netting with Coles well beaten.

Scott Telford's misplaced pass then put the visitors through on goal but a super save from Fred Tonkin kept Crediton's slender lead intact.

Two minutes into stoppage time came the goal which sealed the three points. Adam Bilcock's looping free kick was fumbled by Coles and Wayne Baker pounced to score his second goal of the night, making it three goals in as many matches since his return from Witheridge.

With what proved to be the last kick of the night Baker almost completed his hat trick but shot just wide.

A fabulous win for Crediton, which should give them confidence as they looked forward to three consecutive home fixtures in the coming weeks.

Crediton team: Tonkin, Whelan, Copp, Lee, Strong, Telford, Bilcock, Trenaman, Baker, Blake, Boardman. Subs: Broome, Toms, Greenslade.

Crediton Man of the Match was Wayne Baker.

Too slow off the mark

after win over Alpha's

South West

Peninsular League Division East

Crediton United 1

Totnes and Dartington 1

This was a fairly drab affair for most of its 90 minutes although, eventually, it was a game which Crediton would feel they should have won.

As in the recent Alphington encounter, you felt as though they were slow out of the blocks and though you could not have said they were outplayed by an average Totnes side, they were not particularly dominant, either.

Too often passes went astray and despite some promising plays out of the left, the crosses were poor.

Totnes went ahead after 11 minutes after a defensive error. A weak shot from the edge of the area was fumbled by goalie Fred Tonkin, so often the hero in recent weeks, and coolly slotted home by Ryan Hare.

Crediton renewed their attacking efforts and on 23 minutes Dave Lee was brought down and from the resulting free kick, Wayne Baker had the ball in the net but was ruled offside by the visiting linesman.

Tonkin then saved well from Ben Bowhay on the stroke of half time.

The second period was dominated by Crediton as they took the game to the men in red.

Several times Phil Greenslade was put clear on the wing and the marksman found his range with many superb crosses that, on another day Richard Blake would have scored from easily, but today he could not find the winning goal Crediton deserved.

They did equalise however midway into the second half, because of a "howler" from visiting goalkeeper, Adam Baker. Dave Lee put defender John Payne under pressure and his back pass took the slightest of bobbles on an otherwise fairly true surface, the resultant air shot from the hapless goalie sent the home fans into fits as the ball trickled in to the empty net.

It was no more than Crediton deserved, but despite dominating, that winning goal would not come. Sam Strong and Scott Telford held firm at the back and a spirited performance from Wes Toms in midfield gave Crediton a boost, but they will have to start games a lot better than this if they are to maintain what has been the best start to a season for a few years.

Crediton team: Tonkin, Whelan, Lee, Telford, Strong, Toms, L Waring, Trenaman, Greenslade, Blake, Baker. Subs: Collins (not used), Edgecombe and S Guppy.

Crediton Man of the Match: Phil Greenslade.

Crediton's next home match, tomorrow (Saturday, October 17) will be versus Liverton United, kick off at 3pm.

Devon and Exeter League Senior Four

Crediton Reserves 2

Dawlish United 1

Craig Stagg's young Crediton team narrowly beat Dawlish at Lords Meadow despite going a goal behind early on the first half.

Stand-in 'keeper and first team captain, Matt Trenaman, was well beaten by a crisp shot from the edge of the area early on, but both sides had good chances which they failed to convert.

It was not until early in the second half that Sean Waring headed home Crediton's equaliser from Matt Kingdom's free kick.

With Tom Jordan marshalling the defence well, Crediton began to grow in confidence and the introduction of Steve Grinney and Phil Greenslade seemed to give them the cutting edge required.

Two minutes from time, Sean Waring was left unmarked in the box and fired a shot into the top corner, with the keeper rooted to the spot.

There was still time for Dawlish to equalise which they nearly did, including having what looked like a clear goal disallowed when the ball looked to have crossed the line.

Altogether, this completed a great couple of days for Crediton United Football Club.

Crediton team: Trenaman, Mingo, Tinckner, Jordan, Stephens, Guppy, Kingdom, Collins, Waring, S Stagg and Cockcroft. Subs: Grinney and Greenslade.

PW