APPLEDORE 5 - CREDITON UNITED 1

CREDITON arrived in North Devon with a depleted squad with only one recognised substitute, in the form of 16-year-old Nathan Townsend.

Appledore set out in search of another win to keep in touch with the top three and boost their title chances.

Crediton were forced to shuffle their pack and drafted in two second team players, Broome and Clement, after a large number of the squad clearly didn’t fancy one of the longer Saturday afternoon trips.

Lee and Trenaman formed a new look back four with McCann and Khoo at full-back, Morish, Clement, Broome and Durrant lined up in midfield with Ord and Blake up front.

However they were forced to make their only sub just 10 minutes into the game as Blake pulled up with a reoccurrence of his hamstring problem, meaning 16-year-old Townsend was thrown into the mix.

The game started in a fairly even fashion with both teams creating chances. Crediton had the first clear cut chance and could have opened the scoring when Lee stepped out from the back and slid the ball through to the clever run of Ord. One-on-one with the ‘keeper he fired narrowly wide on his weaker left side.

Crediton were made to pay moments later when a corner was recycled by the home side and Mill turned sharply on the edge of the box, his shot went between Durrant’s legs and beat Tonkin who couldn’t have seen the shot ’til late.

Crediton were still well in it at this point as Morish was getting a lot of joy coming in from the right. McCann and Morish linked well and the latter cut the ball back to Durrant who again fired narrowly wide into the side netting and the chance came and went.

Appledore were playing very direct and looked to exploit Crediton’s high line, a lot of the goalkeeper’s monster kicks were running straight through to Tonkin at the other end.

Just before half-time Crediton were dealt a blow after a goalkeeping error from Langford’s cross allowed Mill to double the fishermen’s lead and despite a very even first 45 minutes, the scoreline read 2-0 to the men in orange.

The second half was just 10 minutes old when Appledore put the game to bed, a poor Crediton corner was cleared and there was soon a three-on-three break, Langford and Mill exchanged passes far too easily and the former slotted past Tonkin to seemingly put the game to bed.

Three soon became four as Crediton were looking ragged after a lot of tireless work in the first 45 minutes.

Trenaman tried to play the offside trap but much to the players’ dismay the flag did not go up and Langford was in on goal again, lobbing the ball over the onrushing Tonkin to make it 4-0.

Crediton did get a consolation with 15 minutes to go, and what a fine goal it was.

Broome emerged with the ball in midfield and clipped a ball into the left channel towards Ord, he drove at the defence and cut inside on his right, firing an unstoppable shot into the top right corner, with the ‘keeper rooted to his spot, a superb finish.

The fishermen still had time to put gloss on the scoreline, adding a fifth with five minutes to go. McCann was bamboozled by winger Beadle in the process.

A comfortable victory for Appledore in the end after a very even first 45 minutes, in which the fishermen were more clinical.

Crediton will be wondering where all their players had disappeared to, after having 20 available just a couple of weeks ago, they had just nine recognised first teamer’s this time out.

Commitment is definitely one issue that needs to be addressed if Crediton are to improve next season and build upon their bright first half of the season and positive cup runs.

Next up for Crediton is a clash at Lords Meadow on Thursday night (April 13) against mid-table St Martin’s. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

Dave Lee