Tuesday, December 15
Throgmorton Cup
Second Round
Cullompton Rangers 1
Crediton United 2
CREDITON United booked themselves a third round tie at Alphington with this battling performance at Premier Division opponents, Cullompton.
They looked the better side throughout and though Cullompton were undoubtedly poor on the night, it was Crediton's overall dominance that made them look so.
With new acquisition Jingu Kim lining up on the right and showing some tremendous first touches, United flew at the Cullompton rearguard.
Wayne Baker had a shot tipped just over the bar and then United hit a post from the resultant corner. With Scott Telford imperious at the back, they dominated the early exchanges.
However, disaster struck on 24 minutes as 'keeper Fred Tonkin rushed out of goal to clear, but after losing his footing only succeeded in booting the ball against veteran striker Roger Bonaparte, the resultant ricochet ball ballooning into the empty net!
Almost immediately Crediton nearly scored after Scott Telford's spectacular overhead kick forced a brilliant save from the Cullompton goalie.
Then, on 36 minutes, Scott Telford again went close after fine work by Whelan and Jingu Kim. Just before half-time Phil Greenslade was denied by the 'keeper and it was generally agreed at the break that Crediton were unlucky to be behind.
The second half began brightly and United were soon level. In the 48th minute Phil Greenslade was brought down in the box and Matt Trenaman coolly despatched the spot kick.
This galvanised Cullompton and they began to put together some decent moves, Crediton still looked the stronger, though, and Richard Blake twice had shots saved by the goalkeeper when well placed.
The bewildering antics of a fussy referee meant that several names were taken in what was not a dirty game and considering the slippery conditions, both sides endeavoured to play as well as they could.
Rangers nearly snatched an underserved win in the last minute but a point blank save from Fred Tonkin saved Crediton.
Extra time was played, and after only three minutes Stephen Goss scored what was to be the winning goal.
After the goalkeeper was put under pressure by Jingu Kim, the ball fell to Goss, whose fabulous first-time effort flew into the top corner, much to the delight of the Crediton faithful, freezing on the touchline.
Substitute Lloyd Copp nearly added a third but the goalie just managed to claw the ball back as it was about to cross the line.
Both teams now were tiring and when Matt Trenaman cleared off the line just before the end, the spectre of a penalty shoot out diminished.
Seven added minutes made the end of the match a little tenser but the whistle finally blew and Crediton were through to the next round.
Successive away wins must give Steve Guppy's boys confidence for the trip to Ottery on Saturday, and it was good to see John Cornforth at the game, returning briefly from his sojourn in the Far East.
Crediton team: Tonkin, Boardman, Whelan, Lee, Telford, Jingu, Kim, Toms, Lee, Trenaman, Baker, Blake and Greenslade. Substitutes: Goss and Copp
Crediton's Man of the Match was Scott Telford.
PW