Crediton 4 - St Martin’s 1

THE evening of Tuesday, October 21, saw us play on the main pitch under floodlights, with a bit of a (socially distanced) crowd behind us.

The warm-up was in the dark and drizzle, with us struggling to locate the ball; we thought we’d lost the whole of the opposition in the gloom at one point. Thankfully Martin D turned up (having been dragged away from his fishfinger sandwich) with the key to the lights.

Warmed-up and dazzled by the lights, the match kicked off, with Crediton taking an early lead, just seven minutes in, with a goal from Finn.

With Crediton with their heads up from an early lead, Finn quickly followed with a second. Eleven minutes in and the score was a promising 2-0 to Crediton.

Crediton then conceded a penalty, but luck and the crowd were on our side, with St Martin’s hitting the post. It would of course have been a fine save from Reece, reading the player, anticipating the ball and making a dive in the right direction.

Crediton seemed a little rattled with a less convincing performance to follow.

Another goal was needed to settle the nerves and almost came from Kieran hitting the post just before the half-time whistle. Half-time score, 2-0 Crediton.

The coaches half-time team talk consisted of bigging up our early performance, but also recognised we had lost our form leading up to half-time.

St Martin’s returned to the pitch fighting, but the next goal was from Knoxy, eight minutes into the second half; 3-0 Crediton.

St Martin’s never gave up, pushing through on several occasions resulting in a deserved goal; 3-1 Crediton. Big Joe put in a great shift, stopping them in their tracks on several occasions with Tyler playing some balls through.

Pete was like a terrier, battling and winning the ball back for us on several occasions. St Martin’s continued to create chances, but the next ball to find the back of the net came from a great throw-in from Joe H, right to Finn’s feet.

With "Shoot!” being bellowed from Dave José Hughes and it ringing in his ears, Finn gave it a punt: a strike from 25+ yards, curling and clipping the underside of the bar leaving the keeper with no chance. A hat-trick for Finn and 4-1 Crediton.

St Martin’s continued to apply pressure with three chances in the final 15 minutes, including hitting the post four minutes before the final whistle.

St Martin’s showed great sportsmanship, unlucky to have not bagged a few more; battling to the end. Good performance and teamwork from all the Crediton squad.

Thanks to the senior Crediton club for allowing our game to go ahead on the main pitch – it’s always good as we seem to draw a vocal crowd of friends and family which seems to help as we up our game.

Let’s hope we can keep this winning run going.

Other results from Crediton Youth sides in action last weekend saw, the Under 14’s beat Dawlish 6–1 at home with goals from Ben Harvey getting two, Callum Lethbridge, Louis Garnsworthy, with Christian Woodley and Alex Gould also grabbing their first goals for the club. Crediton Youth Under 11’s Vipers also had a convincing home win over Pinhoe Spartans.

FW