CREDITON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Throgmorton Cup - Round One

SIDMOUTH TOWN 2

CREDITON UNITED 3

CREDITON travelled to the seaside town of Sidmouth on Saturday, September 20, for a first round league cup match, just one week after demolishing the same opponents 6-0 at home in the league.

This match was always going to be a tighter affair, especially on the tighter pitch, which would limit the away sides preferred passing style and suit the home sides direct approach.

The Vikings were also looking to avenge their recent embarrassment and Creddy rang the changes to give several key players a rest and make full use of the squad.

Ben Pike came in at right-back after an impressive substitute appearance last weekend and Ollie Snow returned at left-back.

With Bilcock, Bradford, Riggs and Khoo all benched, this meant Skinner and Durrant were given midfield roles and “gaffer” Trenaman handing himself a rare start at centre-back.

Creddy started the game strongly and grabbed an early foothold on the game with some slick passing football and it looked only a matter of time before they opened the scoring.

The goal did finally arrive after 15 minutes, albeit with a slice of good fortune. Snow marauded down the left wing and his cross-shot sailed over the ‘keeper and into the top corner. It was nothing less than Kirton deserved after a dominant opening.

Creddy should have doubled their lead on 25 minutes. A fine flowing move ended with Durrant squaring to Blake with an open goal, who somehow blazed over, when it looked easier to score.

The remainder of the half saw a switch in momentum as for some unknown reason Crediton seemed to ease off the gas, this allowed the home side to grow in confidence and they got themselves back into the game after some slack defending allowed Benyon to poke home and the sides went in 1-1 at the break.

The second half began much the same as the first, with Crediton beginning to dominate once again, their pressure finally told as a Durrant through ball was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Vikings full-back.

Again Creddy seemed to relax and this was once again their downfall. A mix up between Pike and goalkeeper, Tonkin, resulted in the latter shanking a clearance straight to Benyon, who curled the ball past the stranded fish and into the back of the net.

Creddy then made a double change, with the injured Stone being replaced by a Jason Statham lookalike, assistant gaffer Harris, and Skinner by Adam Bilcock.

The changes seemed to galvanise the away side and a surging run from Harris allowed him to slide in McCann, who was through on goal on his left, but he confidently checked back inside, past the despairing slide of Vikings defender Jones and cooly slotted past the ‘keeper, for what would prove to be the winning goal.

A rare goal from the London boy, who would later discover that a horse is actually quicker than a cow.

Creddy had chances to extend the lead but Blake was foiled from point blank range when he looked certain to score and Kirton survived a late scare when Antat hit the post for the hosts, but in the end they held on and progressed to the next round.

A good away win overall despite an average performance which showed glimpses of Kirton’s capabilities. The result illustrates the strength in depth of the squad this year and bodes well for the rest of the season as injuries and unavailability are bound to come into play in the coming months.

Dave Lee