CREDITON UNITED 0 - BRISLINGTON 0

Crediton won 6-5 on penalties

CREDITON welcomed Bristol-based, Western League Premier side Brislington, for their eagerly anticipated second qualifying round of the FA Vase on Saturday, September 23, looking to progress to the first round proper for the first time since 1992.

Trenaman was again forced to change his side due to major unavailability. There was however a welcomed return to the squad for long-term absentee Skinner, after suffering a broken leg at the back end of last season.

There was another new centre-half partnership, with Trenaman himself partnering Groom, meaning Lee could move forward into his more customary centre midfield role.

Carpenter and Khoo started as full-backs, as Crediton looked to tighten things up after conceding six goals in their last two outings.

It was the away side who started the brightest, causing a lot of problems with their direct approach, Hunt and Pruett both went close with headed opportunities but neither could find the target.

Pruett then missed a glorious opportunity after a square ball from Gingell found him unmarked six yards from goal.

Crediton then grew into the game themselves after realising they could get the ball down and potentially outplay their Western League opponents, who adopted a more route one approach.

Ord missed Crediton’s best chance of the half, when a long ball forward from Lee found the striker in on goal, but he lashed his effort wide, with just the ‘keeper to beat.

At the other end Waring then made a fine one-on-one save, Hunt got in behind the Kirton back four and looked favourite to score, but Waring had other ideas, outfoxing his opponent and reading his tame finish.

Bilcock then went on a mazy run but the ball would not sit for him and his final shot bobbled horribly wide. Then came another big opportunity for Crediton, Ord marauded down the right and pulled the ball back into the path of Morish, who arrived late into the box, but could only fire straight at Blammon in the Brislington goal.

Waring was kept on his toes throughout the half but after an opening 15 minutes siege from the visitors, the game was evenly balanced and there was little to separate the sides at the break.

The second 45 minutes was another even affair for the most part, Crediton playing the better football but Brislington still looking dangerous with balls into the box.

Yao was working tirelessly for Crediton on the right and was unfortunate his long range effort did not trouble Blammon.

The Crediton back four of Carpenter, Khoo, Trenaman and Groom were defending magnificently, dove tailed by Waring in the Kirton sticks.

As the tie began to get a little nervy, Carpenter came agonisingly close to giving the home side the lead. Crediton won a free kick 25 yards from goal, as Blammon was aligning his wall, Carpenter took the kick quickly but his cheeky effort shaved the wrong side of the post.

In the 80th minute Crediton were dealt a blow, Brislington picked up the ball deep into Kirton territory, Pruett knocked the ball past Trenaman on the edge of the Kirton box and was in on goal, but the Kirton gaffer had other ideas and chopped him down like a giant oak.

After consulting his assistant the referee called Trenaman over and brandished the red card, for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

From the resulting free kick Waring made a sublime save after a deflection off the end of the wall.

The final 10 minutes saw Brislington push for a winner but it was Crediton who held firm and could have even nicked it when Morish broke away on the counter. The referee brought an end to proceedings and the entertaining tie went into extra time.

Brislington looked out on their feet during the additional 30 minutes, with Crediton still feeling they could win the tie without going to the dreaded penalty shootout.

Ord was ploughing a lone furrow up front by this point, but was fending off the visiting defenders with ease, unfortunately he was unable to trouble the ‘keeper, after a bustling run.

With 10 minutes to go Brislington looked to take advantage of their numerical advantage and threw bodies forward. McCarthy went close but again found Waring in inspired form.

Crediton were putting bodies on the line as both Lee and Groom threw themselves at anything they could. Khoo then intervened at a vital moment when Peart looked favourite to score.

By this point it was a backs to the wall job, Pike replaced Yao and Pryce was introduced for Blake, who had worked his socks off all game.

Then, with moments to go, Skinner made his long awaited return, seemingly just so he could take a penalty.

The clock ticked away and the ref blew his whistle, sending the tie to penalties, which neither side would have looked forward to.

The first five penalties were expertly converted by both sides, with Bilcock, Skinner, Carpenter, Ord and Pike all finding the net for Crediton.

Then it went to sudden death, up stepped Pryce who sent Blammon the wrong way and then came the moment of brilliance from Waring. McCarthy stepped up for Brislington and fired towards the top left corner.

In any normal circumstances this was a good penalty, but Waring is no normal goalkeeper. Not only did he decide to guess correctly, he leapt like a cat and sprung towards the top corner, tipping the ball over the bar, to give Crediton a famous victory, 6-5 on penalties.

A superb performance and result for Crediton, who received a healthy £725 in prize money, along with a spot in the first round proper, for the first time in two decades.

This was a great performance from the whole squad, with key players missing and odds stacked against them, especially after the sending off, but they dug in and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Next up for Kirton is a tough away trip to in-form St Martin’s on Saturday, September 30, kick off at 3pm.

Dave Lee