CREDITON 1 - BUDLEIGH SALTERTON 1

CREDITON welcomed a much-improved Budleigh outfit to Lords Meadow on Saturday, November 18 for what was always likely to be a stern test.

Indeed, Budleigh inflicted Crediton’s last league defeat in the return fixture back in mid-September. Since then though Crediton have gone six league games unbeaten and currently sit top of the table with Budleigh sitting just inside the top six.

No doubt, both teams went into the game high in confidence.

Trenaman was without several regulars as skipper Dave Lee was enjoying his fourth holiday of the season and Steve Morish was getting married with Evra Yao performing best man duties on the day.

The gaffer paired himself with Steve Goss in the centre of defence with Skinner at left-back and veteran Perry Carpenter returning at right-back.

Utility man Dan McCann joined Bilcock and Durrant in the middle of the park with a front three trio of Blake, Ord and Townsend.

Budleigh were quick out of the blocks and were applying constant pressure on the Crediton defence without creating any real clear cut chances.

Crediton could not appear to adjust to the difficult sticky pitch and were sloppy when in possession and were given a real let-off when a defensive mix up with ‘keeper Waring appeared to allow Kyle Basset an obvious opportunity to open the scoring only to see his effort cleared off the line by Trenaman.

Budleigh continued to apply pressure with wide man Denny a constant threat down Crediton’s left side.

Soon after it looked as though Budleigh were about to open the scoring after a well-worked move played on the striker with just Waring to beat from an angle but the linesman came to Crediton’s rescue.

Eventually, Crediton carved out a great opportunity midway through the half when a pin point cross from Townsend found the leaping Ord six yards out but he could not control the header and the ball nestled in the trees behind the goal.

Budleigh continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half and will have felt unfortunate not to have gone in at half-time at least a goal to the good.

Crediton reappeared for the second half and immediately improved their quality on the ball. After a poor opening 45 minutes the home side finally sparked into life and were seeing real joy down the right flank where Townsend was starting to have a real influence on the game.

However, it was still a surprise to those watching that Crediton opened the scoring on 55 minutes when young Townsend again showed great length out wide and delivered a delightful ball into the box, which was met superbly well by that wily old fox, Richard Blake.

After a promising start to the half Crediton could not maintain their quality in the final third and Budleigh were soon looking to dictate the play again.

A change at the back saw Richard Groom replace Trenaman on 65 minutes with the gaffer suffering a re-occurrence of a previous hamstring injury.

Crediton continued to defend resolutely and show why they have the best defensive record in the division but eventually Budleigh’s pressure got them a deserved equaliser with 10 minutes remaining through a fine strike from 20 yards via a minor deflection.

Further changes were made with both Pryse and Partridge introduced to proceedings but only Budleigh looked like getting the all-important winner.

Eventually, the referee blew for full-time and Crediton were happy to come out of the game with a point and maintain a two-point advantage at the top of the table.

Up next is second placed Newton Abbot Spurs at Lords Meadow today, Saturday, November 25 – a real top of the table clash.

Kick-off is again 3pm. It promises to be a real cracker!

Matt Trenaman