Walter C Parson Funeral Directors League Cup

CREDITON UNITED 2

WITHERIDGE 4

THIS was a game that sprang to life just as you thought it was time for bed. Hero for Crediton was undoubtedly Lee “Creddy’ead” Waring.

After keeping the Witheridge boys at bay for the full 90, and after then conceding in the 92nd minute to a scrappy goal, the plucky Creddy ‘keeper found himself in the opponents penalty area for a last ditch corner.

Rising to the occasion Lee belted a firm header past a bewildered goalie and the home side were saved, at least for the time being.

A true club man is Lee and although he is prone to the odd gaff, he gets 10-out-of-10 for pluck and courage.

Crediton battled hard against their higher league rivals and at no stage could you say that Witheridge dominated.

With Broome and Trenaman imperious at the back and the willing runs of Blakey and Steve Morish tireless, the lads from the meadow made it hard for their opponents.

In truth the chances were few and far between and in the main it was in midfield that the real battle took place.

A particularly interesting dual was between former player Steve Avery and Crediton lad Steve Morish which finished about even in the end.

However, all the goalscoring was left for the final curtain and with a minute to go who would have thought that six goals would be scored by the end.

After Waring’s heroics at the death, Crediton pushed on where they had left off and it was down to Richard Blake yet again to break through the Withy defence and score a classic strikers goal.

He then went flying off in the direction of the corner flag to celebrate.

With 15 minutes to go the score was still a tantalising 2-1 to the hosts but this was time for Witheridge to strike back.

This they did and Bassett shot home from near the penalty spot to square the game at 2-2.

Then the moment which decided the match happened. A Withy striker was through on goal and Ben Waller came in with a challenge from behind just as the lad entered the penalty box.

Over he tumbled and despite no signal from Pete Rich on the line, the referee immediately signalled for a penalty and sent Waller off for the challenge.

How the ref could give a penalty is difficult to see because he was way behind the play in the centre circle and could not have seen clearly from his position.

Also because the linesman had not indicated anything, and if there is a better and fairer linesman than Pete in the league I am yet to see one.

Anyhow, the penalty was duly stroked home despite the efforts of Waring who went the right way.

Witheridge scored a fourth soon after and although Simon Durrant hit the post there was nothing left in the Crediton tank.

A battling performance from the lads and the score slightly flattered Witheridge who go through to the next round.

PW