A CRACKING start to the season as Crediton hosted Newton Abbot Spurs in this seasons Friday night opener.
There was a bumper crowd of 156 as Crediton began the season led by the new management team of Ben Watson and Jack Furzer.
It was good to see the new arrivals alongside the return of former Kirton players Kevin Pike and Adam Bilcock. Also the addition of evergreen which I think is the right way of putting it James Mudge upfront, formerly a fantastic goal scorer in Tiverton Town colours, all bodes well for the season.
The starting line-up had some other unfamiliar names but the lads hit the ground running against a hard working Newton Spurs.
The early stages were evenly played out with both teams pushing hard for the opener.
The Crediton midfield of Dave Lee and the returning Adam Bilcock got a grip on proceedings and the first chance of the game nearly resulted in the home side taking the lead as Josh Radfords shot narrowly missed the far post.
Shay Corrick also went close, hitting the side netting.
However Newton also had their moments and the two sides were evenly matched.
Then just before the break, Spurs took the lead as Toby Pullman fired home to give the away side the lead. Disappointing though that was for the home side, within five minutes of the second half they had turned the game round as firstly Sam Stapleton, who had a quiet first half pounced on a defensive error to equalise and then just a couple of minutes later Jamie Mudge showed his class with a fine turn and shot to give the home side the league.
From then on Crediton continued to dominate for long periods but Spurs always looked dangerous on the break. Then on 70 minutes Newton equalised as Stuart Morgan shot home after new goalie Ethan Chalk failed to hold a long range effort.
To most of us it looked offside but no flag went up from the “lino” on the popular side.
Neither side looked like winning the game in the last 20 minutes and as the referee decided to add on several minutes more than he should we were kept from our beds and bars for a little longer.
A 2-2 was a fair result and gives us optimism for the new season, especially with so many new faces on show.
Crediton team: Chalk, Whitfield, Preece, Lee, Goss, Pike, Radford, Bilcock, Mudge, Corrick and Stapleton. Subs Stephens and Howe.
Man of the match: Dan Preece.
On Saturday, August 13 Crediton United will visit Bridport AFC
by Paul Whittall