Saturday, November 21

South West Peninsular League Division East

EXMOUTH TOWN 2

CREDITON UNITED 4

HOW this game was played is a mystery owing to the most utterly foul weather imaginable. However, the conditions seemed to inspire Crediton, who secured a fine and well deserved victory at the seaside, as they battled through the wind and rain at what is usually an unlucky ground for the men from Lords Meadow.

Crediton started the slower side despite having the wind at their backs and it was Exmouth who scored first when a long through ball held up in the wind and the league's leading goalscorer, Ben Shephard, went down under the challenge of Fred Tonkin and duly despatched the penalty.

This was as good as it got for Exmouth, however, as Crediton came back strongly and amazingly scored three times shortly before the break.

First, Scott Telford floated a speculative cross into the box, only to see it fly into the top corner.

The Exmouth 'keeper, Sandy Allen, could only stand in awe as the ball disappeared over his head and into the net, causing the Crediton faithful great joy on the terraces.

Memories of Beckham's strike against Crystal Palace or a fluke? it's hard to say.

Then, after a passage of passing play, Phil Greenslade fired home from around the penalty spot, to make it 2-1. Before long it was 3-1 as Wayne Baker's tremendous turn and shot flew over Allen and into the net.

What a turnaround, but what would the second half bring as Exmouth would have the wind behind them.

The Crediton rearguard really showed how well they could defend as the rain lashed into their faces, and it was not until the 70 minute mark that a smart passing move resulted in Shephard scoring a second goal for Exmouth.

Now you could sense the tension on the terraces and banter between the two sets of supporters began to get a little strained, mainly in the subject of the relative performances of the two assistants to the referee.

At one stage Phil Greenslade was flagged off by the Exmouth linesman whilst clearly in his own half without a trace of ambiguity.

Then the crucial strike arrived. After a neat breakaway move involving Richard Blake and Greenslade the ball fell to Wayne Baker who headed home his second of the match to make it 4-2.

There was no way back for Exmouth and the vociferous members of the home support drifted away to drown their sorrows leaving the Crediton regulars cock-a-hoop.

With this sort of performance, Crediton can look forward to the winter break that comes as the rains fall down with renewed optimism.

Crediton team: Tonkin, Whelan, Lee, Boardman, Telford, Toms, Copp, Trenaman, Baker, Blake and Greenslade. Subs: Harris and Jones.

Crediton's Man of the Match was Scott Boardman.

PW