CREDITON UNITED 4 - BISHOPS LYDEARD 3

AN astonishing match at Lords Meadow on Saturday, September 13, with Crediton eventually grinding out the result they needed.

Once more, it was young Will Collins who was the catalyst for this result as he scored a wonderful second half hat trick to steal the points for the home side.

This was a game full of passion and the visitors from Bishops Lydeard played their part in a fiery fixture and indeed because of the gutsy performance they gave should probably have got something from the game.

Three times they took the lead but Crediton would not let go and were ultimately successful.

The first half was all Crediton but they simply could not find the net. As early as the first minute Will Collins found space and crossed for Lukey White to narrowly miss out.

Crediton continued to attack and although they still managed to dominate and out pass their opponents they could not find a way through.

Then, just as half time was approaching the defence was caught napping and Cottrell shot with confidence and easily beat stand in goalie Bradley Butterfield 0-1.

Crediton had been so in command it was hard to take but the Bishop's defending was excellent.

The second half could not have been more different and from the outset Crediton tore into the Bishops.

Steve Goss was pushed into attack which left the defence much more exposed and at times Dave Lee and Kevin Pike were under large amounts of pressure as Bishops Lydeard became more attack minded.

The second half was only three minutes old when Crediton won a corner on the right and from a great inswinging cross Gossy sent a bullet header past Holland in the away goal 1-1.

I was still composing my words on the goal when the ball flew into the Crediton net. There was absolute pandemonium as the Bishops players celebrated.

One of their number had hoofed the ball straight from the kick off over Bradley Butterfield and into the net.

This is something you hardly ever see and it gave the visitors the lead once more 1-2.

Soon, Crediton struck back and it was from Kevin Pikes' fierce drive that Will Collins opened his account taking the ball and depositing it in the away net for 2-2.

In fairness Will looked offside but in this world of first phase and second phase the goal was not disallowed.

Crediton continued to surge forward. The addition of Harry Warren and Isaac Littlejohn seemed to galvanise the home side as they searched for a winning goal.

Finn Drew had a shot well saved and Bishops might have scored as a Crediton defender lost his footing but the ball deflected over.

From the resultant corner the ball was blocked twice before the visitors scored a third goal, the ball flying through a sea of bodies, 2-3.

Twenty minutes to go and Crediton were behind for the third time.

The home side got their equaliser after 72 minutes and it was Will Collins again whose determination to get the ball into the net was rewarded with his second of the game.

On 76 minutes Will Collins' header was brilliantly pushed round the post by the keeper. Crediton were looking dangerous and twice the ball was twice cleared off the line.

Then, disaster as Kevin Pike was sent off as he brought an attacker down on the edge of the penalty area.

Referee and former Crediton manager John Veale produced a red after the yellow had come out by accident.

So, Crediton went down to 10 for the last 10 minutes or so but continued to attack.

Three minutes to go and they won a free kick on the edge of the box. Usually it is Lukey White who takes these but after two previously unsuccessful attempts left this one to Will Collins whose deflected shot found the Bishops net.

It was Will's third of the game and his 12th goal of the season in the league and brought his running total to 15 in all competitions.

The score was now 4-3 and there was still time for a Bishops Lydeard man to be sent off after two yellows.

The final whistle was blown and Crediton had won but you felt for the away side who are still waiting for their first point of the season but surely it won't be long before they do.

Next weekend it is back to F A Vase action as visitors to the Meadow are Western League Street managed of course by Ben Watson.

Crediton team: Butterfield, Maynard, Pike, Lee, Goss, Bond, Drew, Harris, Collins, White and Aworinde. Subs: Littlejohns, Warren and Southcott.

Man of the Match: Will Collins.

Paul Whittall