CREDITON 1 - ALPHINGTON 1

CREDITON welcomed lowly Alphington to Lords Meadow on Saturday, March 3, hoping to close the gap on the top two.

The Alphas have endured a tough season so far and have picked up just 12 points this campaign, but a recent change in management has seen them improve slightly, as they look to avoid relegation.

Trenaman was forced into several changes from the previous weekend’s victory over Sidmouth, mainly due to unavailability.

Goss was away climbing the Berlin Wall, Bilcock was hoping to find love, at a poker tournament in Nottingham and Morish was out injured. Groom was also unavailable which meant a distinct lack of centre-halves, so Lee dropped in alongside Trenaman.

The pitch was always going to play a part, as the soft surface was going to hamper any free flowing football.

The game started as expected, in fairly scrappy fashion. Neither side could create any clear cut chances, but it was the visitors who were looking rather shaky at the back.

Ord was causing problems down the right-hand side, with Stevens struggling to cope defensively.

It was no surprise when the opening goal arrived, Ord beating Stevens once again, before pulling the ball back to the late arriving McCann, who swept home from 12 yards. A cool finish, from the unpredictable utility man.

The lead was short lived, as the visitors got themselves back into it three minutes later. Crediton lost the ball in midfield and Lee had stepped forward from the back, Alphas midfielder Clark spotted a gap between Khoo and Trenaman, precisely slipping the ball through to Moody, who looked marginally offside. However, the linesman’s flag stayed down and he rounded Waring, before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Crediton nearly restored their lead straight away, as Ord got in down the right again, but could not finish past the Alphas ‘keeper.

Durrant then went close himself, as Crediton created several openings, without applying the finishing touches.

The second 45 minutes was a bit of a drab affair, with little in the form of goal scoring chances.

It was the visitors who started the brightest, with Moody shooting wide from distance, then Hole going close after a mazy run down the left.

It was the visitors who were looking the most likely, Hole forced a great save from Waring, the ball looped up and the Crediton ‘keeper leapt to punch it clear from danger, but the Alphas’ forward clattered into the back of him and the ball dropped into the net.

Fortunately for the home side, the referee spotted the infringement and rightfully disallowed the goal.

Crediton introduced Heritage for his debut, replacing the ineffective Yao, with the substitute looking lively from the off, confidently getting on the ball and beating players.

They were then forced into another change on the hour mark, with skipper Lee limping off with an ankle injury, replaced by the returning Pike.

Crediton did finally create some chances and it was Blake who went closest for the home side, curling inches wide after cutting in from the left.

Pike then cut in from the right, but his left-footed attempt went straight down the throat of the ‘keeper.

The clock ticked on, with the game looking destined for a draw, however the visitors nearly snatched it at the death, with substitute Hensor slicing a cross from the right, which looped over Waring and luckily for the home side, cannoned off the top of the crossbar.

The full-time whistle arrived bringing the game to an end, with a draw a fair result on the balance of play.

In truth it was a poor game on a difficult pitch, which prevented any free flowing football.

Crediton will be disappointed to have dropped points, but credit to Alphington who dug in and worked tirelessly as their battle to escape the drop continues.

Next up for Crediton is an away trip to Brixham on Saturday, March 10. Kick off is at 3pm.

Dave Lee

Pics from Alan - from 1179

Crediton played in yellow and Alphington in orange for the match held at Crediton AFC’s Lords Meadow ground. Match photos by Alan Quick.