A DRIZZLY evening in Tiverton could not dampen another heartening performance from the Crediton AFC lads as they overcame the eagles of Elmore despite a dodgy start.

In the process rising to second place in the Peninsula League table.

Crediton were in blue which clashed significantly with the green of home side Elmore, combined with the very ineffective floodlights and therefore making it very difficult to tell the teams apart yet again.

Still, Crediton had new man Nathan May on show, and after a steady start he played better as the game went on and did indeed score a first goal for the club in the second half.

The game started badly for Kirton as Elmore won a free kick on the left of the penalty area.

The resultant weak shot squirmed out of usually reliable goalie Ethan Chalk’s arms and wriggled its way out of his arms and into the Crediton net despite Ethan’s efforts to stop it (1-0).

Crediton soon started getting their passing game together and began to look comfortable without significantly threatening the Elmore goal.

But this was to change as the half went on. Driven by Steve Goss and Dre Johnson at the back and by the battling Oakley Bennett in midfield Kirton began to dominate.

Time-after-time they swept forward, and the gaps began to open up in the Elmore defence, but the ball would not go in! The woodwork was hit on more than one occasion, but the home defence remained rather fortunate as the opening goal would not come for the away side.

In fact, it was not until three minutes from half-time that Sam Stapleton (who had a fairly quiet game in the first half) shot home from a fine cross by Nathan May.

This made the score 1-1 as the lads trooped in for half-time sustenance and no doubt some helpful advice from the management team.

The atmosphere in the clubhouse was positive from the travelling faithful and having found the equaliser just before the break it was thought that Crediton would end the game triumphant, which indeed they did.

The second half was a different affair from the first. Although Crediton had found it difficult to finish off some promising moves it was clear that they were much more tigerish in their play.

Firstly, Shay Corrick turned in a cross from the right for 2-1 and soon it was debutant Nathan May who added a third (3-1).

For such a young player Shay Corrick is a fine footballer who always enhances the team when he plays.

The striker grew with confidence as the half progressed and although he was substituted near the end, he had shown what a fine addition to the squad he is.

A fourth was added as the unmarked substitute Jack Fanning headed home at the far port from an in-swinging corner (4-1).

By now, the away team made several substitutes but still managed to control the game despite occasional attacking forays from the home side.

Crediton team: Chalk, Whitfield, Preece, Howe, Johnson, Goss, Bilcock, Bennett, Knight, May and Stapleton. Subs: Corrick and Fanning.

Man of the Match: Nathan May

Paul Whittall