ILMINSTER TOWN 2 - CREDITON UNITED 5

THIS was an absolute rip-snorter of a game on a beautiful sunny day in Somerset.

Crediton were in blistering form in what were blustery conditions and scored five goals, but in all honesty it could have been many more, as chance after chance went begging towards the end.

With Kevin Pike returning and playing wide on the left, Crediton were at full strength and with the usual pairing of Collins and White upfront, they were always going to be a handful for their opponents.

From the outset, it seemed obvious that this would be a game of contrasting styles, with Crediton playing their usual passing game, while their willing opponents were much more keen on hoofing the ball over the top, that is to say if they could get it back from the boys in yellow.

With a four-man attacking formation working well, Crediton laid siege to the Ilminster goal.

Kevin Pike had the first chance as his fine run and shot were well saved by the home goalie Shay Allen.

Then it was Will Collins who shot just wide after more good wing play from KP.

A few moments later it was 1-0 to the Kirton as Will Collins had the defence in a tangle before squaring the ball to Lukey White in acres of space and he duly composed himself and struck the ball home for the first goal.

The remainder of the half was all Crediton with Ilminster having occasional forays forward.

Lukey White set up Collins whose shot was just inches wide and then a Finn Drew effort also went close.

Then, just as the half was coming to a close, disaster struck as Charlie Murby could only parry the ball away and home striker Evan Howse slotted the ball home to equalise.

After having had almost all the play, Crediton it seemed would have to go in at half time level - but wait, as the ref had his whistle in his mouth, Finn Drew was brought down in the area and Will Collins scored his 11th goal of the season from the spot, 2-1.

Interestingly, although Finn was right through on goal, the ref did not even book the player involved, but more of that later.

It was a merry bunch that trotted in for a half time beverage. The second half was no more than five minutes old when the home defence capitulated and after a slip Kevin Pike was first to the ball and shot the ball home for Crediton's third goal 3-1.

Straightaway, a long ball out of defence caught the Kirton defence napping and Ilminster added a second through Evan Howse and the game was on a knife-edge.

This seemed to galvanise the home side and the long ball was repeated a few minutes later and a home player was hacked down right on the edge of the box.

From where we were standing it looked like a penalty, but the home side's delight was turned to fury as, due to a linesman's flag, only a free kick was given, and no sending-off as the ref was consistent in his decision-making.

Ilminster then started to lose the plot and defender Braedon Symes was sent off after a second bookable offence, and Crediton began to tear the home defence to shreds.

Several other Ilminster players also found their way into the referee’s notebook, usually for fouling Kevin Pike, but there was also a nasty one on Dave Lee, and it took him a while to recover.

On came Iscoluwn Aworinde on the left, and he proceeded to run rings round the defence and time after time Crediton surged forward.

A fourth was added, and this was the pick of the bunch, as a wonderful cross from substitute Joe Southcott was brilliantly anticipated by Will Collins who headed home for 4-2.

This takes Will's tally to 12 for the season in all competitions, and he is the league’s top goalscorer at present.

Isaac Littlejohns added a fifth and it was 5-2. Dave Lee then shot just wide and Lukey White hoofed one over the bar when it looked easier to score.

All in all, it became a bit of a rout towards the end, and Crediton had their second away win of the season.

At the final whistle there was some theatrical complaining from the home side, but there was nothing wrong with the way the officials carried out their duties.

Next up is Bishops Lydeard for Crediton at Lords Meadow next Saturday.

The Crediton team was: Murby, Maynard, Cole, Lee(c), Butterfield, Goss, Drew, Bon, Collins, White, Pike. Subs were Littlejohns, Tootel, Warren, Southcott, Aworinde.

Man of the Match was Finlay Drew.

Paul Whittall