CREDITON United's unbeaten three match start to the 2013-14 season came to an abrupt halt with a 4-1 home defeat to Okehampton Argyle in front of another good crowd.

Crediton went into the game with two wins and a draw from their opening three games, whilst Okey had played four and lost four, so this result was certainly an upset to the form books.

The opening goal came midway through the first half as Ed Squires' shot was blocked by the legs of home 'keeper Lee Waring, only for the ball to fall to Brad Ausden, who rammed home the loose ball.

Hosts Kyrton drew level 10 minutes before the break when Matt Woodward turned in a low cross from close range but the visitors edged themselves in front again just before the half-time whistle, when Brad Ausden finished a flowing move with a sublime strike for the goal of the game.

The second half started with Kyrton looking for and creating enough chances, to think they would still get something out of the game, but the visitors rode the storm and then scored twice, late on, to ensure a maiden win of the campaign with Dale Chadwick making it 3-1 in the 72nd minute.

Substitute, Steve Kinsey, then completed the scoring in the 79th minute.

Travelling to Plymstock for last Saturday's game players and supporters were optimistic of a good performance and a result to make amends for the  Okehampton game.

In fairness the conditions did not suit the Crediton lads at all. The ground was rock hard, with grass cut very tight like the adjacent cricket pitch and with the stiff breeze at their backs in the first half, the Crediton players found difficulty in mastering control of the ball.

After a promising opening 10-minute spell from Kirton, they soon found themselves behind after Myles Easton rounded Lee Waring in goal and slotted the ball home.

The same player saw his overhead kick cannon off the bar two minutes later, before driving home his second just before the half-hour mark.

The loss of Matt Trenaman with an ankle injury did not help. United fared much better in the second half, playing into the wind with the pace of Ben Pike and Lloyd Copp causing the home team problems down the flanks but the home team defence dealt well with anything that was crossed into the danger area.

Substitutes Elliott Weekes and Richard Edworthy worked hard in the  last 20 minutes to salvage something from the game but the home 'keeper, Jamie Castle, dealt easily with any opportunity Crediton were able to create.

Joint-manager Trenaman felt there was not much to choose from between the two sides on the day, but conceded that the hosts' superior threat in front of goal meant that they deserved the three points.

They had two very good strikers, one of whom was a big lad "who held the ball up very well and we struggled to get to grips with him," explained Trenaman.

Trenaman and joint-manager, Perry Carpenter, were forced to play with a lone striker, due to Steve Goss's absence suffering from an infected toe, explaining the lack of cutting edge shown by Kirton on the day.

"Too often there was a big gap between him and our midfield and we couldn't get forward quickly enough.

He got too isolated for too much of the game and found it hard to hold the ball up as support arrived."

The Crediton management team will be hoping for better when Crediton host Galmpton United tomorrow (Saturday, September 14) at Lord's Meadow but will have to keep a special eye on the South West Peninsula's top goalscorer, Dan Rankin, who has scored an amazing 15 goals of his teams total of 19.

Crediton Reserves had an excellent win at Cheriton Fitzpaine in the first round of the Bill Slee Cup, winning by a 3-2 margin, thanks to a spectacular late winner from Adam Tucker.

Seizing on a poor clearance from the Cherries 'keeper, Adam found the net over the 'keeper's head from a full 40 yards out.

Other scorers were  Mirokskaw Damasiewicz and Luke Venner.

Steve Grinney's team now  have a difficult tie in the second round against Division Two leaders, Halwill,  at Lords Meadow on October 12.

This coming Wednesday (September 18) the Reserves have another difficult league match when last season's Division Three winners Dolphin are the visitors with a 7.30pm kick off.

Chris Gillard