South West Peninsular League Division East

University of Exeter 2

Crediton United 1

CREDITON lost by the odd goal at Topsham Road after a very disappointing performance against the students. Despite a promising opening in which they looked capable of avenging their 7-3 previous reverse at Appledore.

Crediton lacked any cunning in their play and allowed the University side back into a game in which, for the first 30 minutes, they had not attempted a shot on goal.

Eleven minutes into the game after a mazy run buy Adam Bilcock, Phil Greenslade's shot was parried by home goalie, Tom Venton.

The ball fell to Wayne Baker who continued his run of goal scoring with a firm shot into the net for 1-0.

Crediton continued to pressurise and Scott Telford headed just over from a Bilcock cross on 15 minutes. Phil Greenslade also came close as his shot from just outside the area drifted just over.

Just after the half hour, Tom Arnold's crisp turn and shot was pushed round the post by Lee Waring in the Crediton goal as the home side began to claw their way back into the game.

A couple of minutes later it was 1-1 as Tom Arnold showed a fine piece of skill in the box and lifted the ball past Waring. Pat Preece then missed a fabulous opportunity to put the students in front and Arnold had a header turned over by the excellent Waring in the Crediton goal.

Scores level at half-time seemed to be a fair reflection. The second period however was to prove extremely frustrating for the Crediton faithful as the team put in a very poor performance on a glue pot of a pitch.

Apart from a Phil Greenslade effort mid-way through the half, it is hard to remember Crediton putting the home side under any pressure at all.

After an hour University scored what was to prove the winning goal.

Adam Bilcock lost possession on the half-way line. The ball was then released to Sam Taylor, whose not wholly convincing cross fell to Pat Preece, whose low shot beat Waring at the far post.

Scott Boardman picked up a knock and was substituted. At 2-1 down, Bilcock was pushed into the back line to accommodate the lack of Boardman, leaving Crediton without a creative midfielder.

Surely it would have made sense to have put either Dave Lee or the almost stationary Matt Trenaman at the back and hoped for a break in front of goal.

The change seemed to disrupt Crediton's shape and if there had been a game plan, there was no evidence of one for the remainder of the match.

Greenslade was substituted towards the end and though Collins and Nathan Guppy ran about enthusiastically, there was no way back for Crediton and it was only due to another fine save from Waring, that University did not increase their lead before the end, when James was put clean through on 89 minutes.

There was just time for the students to waste another golden opportunity as Pat Preece missed an open goal.

This match showed how wafer thin Crediton's squad is, and as the season grinds on disrupted by the wet weather it is hard to see this team pulling away from just above the relegation zone.

Crediton team: Waring, Boardman, Whelan, Telford, Copp, Toms, Lee, Trenaman, Baker, Bilcock and Greenslade. Subs: Collins and Guppy N.

Crediton Man of the Match: Lee Waring. PW