Exmouth Town 2 Crediton United 2

CREDITON bowed out of the Devon Bowl by the narrowest of margins as they took Southern League Exmouth all the way to penalties at Southern Road.

A healthy crowd assembled including a sizeable turn out from Crediton and witnessed a contest that in truth could have gone either way.

In fact for long periods it was the away side that looked the stronger with their close passing game dominating proceedings.

There was a minutes silence before the game began remembering Trevor Atkins former Crediton manager, whose funeral it was the following day, and it was duly observed by both sets of supporters.

Crediton had a full strength side and it was only in the goalkeeping area that a change was made.

Old stalwart Lee Waring was in between the sticks and making his first appearance of the season, and with Lee one thing is certain. You always know he is there as they usual cries of “Creddyead” and “yellow winner” sallied forth from the diminutive goalie.

Both sides were competitive from the off and it was clear that both sides were taking this tie seriously.

Tackles flew in and the early exchanges were fierce.

On 30 minutes Exmouth were awarded a free kick and from the resultant cross the ball was deflected in by Mark Laver and the home side led by 1-0. A soft goal to concede it was as it was quite seriously against the run of play, but this did not deter the away side as they strove for an equaliser.

With star man Adam Bilcock dictating the midfield and looking a class above Crediton continued to attack.

Captain Aidan Whitfield sent a shot just over after a fine move and Crediton were proving a hard nut to crack for their Southern League opponents.

The second half started badly for Crediton as almost immediately Exmouth doubled their lead.

The ball bouncing around and culminating in former Tiverton striker Levi Landricombe scoring. 2-0.

Only five minutes later however Crediton’s persistence paid off as Aidan Whitfield let go a fine shot from just outside the penalty area that flew past the home keeper for 2-1.

It was no more than the away side deserved and they were soon on the hunt for more goals.

Sam Stapleton came on as substitute and seemed to have a more free role than usual cropping up, on both wings as Crediton surged forward.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 65th minute when, from a Kieran Knight cross, Dan Preece gave the keeper no chance with a towering header. Dan has been such an influential player this season and the Kirton well deserved their equaliser.

Still Crediton came forward and a brilliant effort from young strike Ryan White hit the post.

Ryan already looks a fine prospect and is slotting in superbly in what is already a good side.

Just before the 90 minutes was up he had another shot well saved by the goalie.

In between this Lee Waring saved Crediton’s bacon with a point blank save when a goal looked certain.

With there being no extra time in this fixture we went straight to penalties, and the first 10 were exemplary as Adam Bilcock, Kevin Pike, Sam Stapleton, Marcus Howe and Aidan Whitfield all scored.

The fifth Exmouth penalty hit the post on the way in but that was as close as it got.

Then up strode Dan Preece and promptly blasted his penalty against the bar. What a tragedy for Dan as he trudged back to the centre circle only for his team mates to congratulate him like he had won the game for them.

The Exmouth laddies duly scored and the game was done.

Crediton were glorious in defeat and they can be truly proud of themselves.

If anything they were the better side for most of the game and the spirit and camaraderie they showed was superb.

Crediton team: Waring, Whitfield, Preece, Bilcock, Johnson, Howe, Bennett, Pike, White, Tottell and Knight. Sub: Stapleton.

Man of the match: Adam Bilcock.

Paul Whittall