Crediton United 2 - Okehampton Argyle 3

CREDITON narrowly missed out on going top of the Southwest Peninsula League East and suffered their first defeat of the season to a battling Okehampton.

In the league it was probably the toughest assignment they have had so far and after suffering their first defeat of the season at Mangotsfield in the FA Vase, they appeared a little hung over to say the least.

In fact, in the first 20 minutes of the game they were completely blown away by the swift passing and organisation of this Okey side, who went top of the table themselves after this victory.

It was a shame for the lads that they could not keep the unbeaten run going but they have had a great run so far.

Before the game there were two minutes silence as former Exeter City player and longest serving manager in Crediton’s history Trevor Atkins was remembered. Trevor had sadly, suddenly died, and he was duly acknowledged before the game began.

I remember Trevor well as I started watching the lads in around 1990 when he was at the helm, and the side he had created surely ranks as one of the best Crediton has ever had, featuring the Harkness brothers, Jason Came, Gavin Hudd, Russell Dawson and Neil Gauntlett to name but a few.

They climbed out of the Devon and Exeter league and with Trevor in charge, managed to get up to the Western League Premier Division before sliding out of the league soon after. Heady days and it is very sad to hear of Trevor’s sudden passing.

As far as the game was concerned it took Crediton a while to get going and if it were not for a superb save by Ethan Chalk from the penalty spot on the half-hour, this game would have been well beyond them.

Okehampton had already gone close to scoring but in the 13th minute they opened their account as a header from Jake Rowe flew into the net giving keeper Ethan Chalk no chance.

Then in the 20th minute it was two as Morgan Reynolds shot home from 10 yards after Crediton failed to clear.

With this goal there was a suspicion of offside, but after consulting his linesman, referee Mark Hickson allowed the goal. 0-2.

Crediton then decided it was time for action and in the 26th minute young Oakley Bennett fired a superb volley home after a corner on the left to reduce the arrears.

However, only a couple of minutes later Okehampton were awarded a penalty after a clumsy mistimed challenge on the edge of the box and after a short delay, the Creddy goalie flew to his left and made an important save to keep the game at 1-2.

This would prove to be an important save and in the 35th minute Sam Stapleton scored for Crediton after a sweeping run, which he started himself. It was a typically special goal from Sam who otherwise had a quiet game. With the score at 2-2 it all boded well for a competitive second half, which indeed it was.

Just before the break Dre Johnson’s header flew just over and as the lads trudged off in the drizzle it was obvious that the game could go either way.

On the hour a superb pass from Sam Stapleton found Harvey Dorothy and his shot was well saved by the keeper.

Okehampton battled hard and the game was end-to-end.

Substitutions were made and names were taken, and the game threatened to boil over if it wasn’t careful.

With 10 minutes left Jamie Mudge came on for Leon Tottell and almost immediately he was put through on goal as the defender slipped on the oily turf.

It was the sort of chance that you would expect him to take nine times out of 10, but sadly for Mudgee and the home faithful he put the chance just wide. You couldn’t help but feel that if he had been on the pitch a few minutes longer, he would have maintained his usual composure.

This occurred in the 83rd minute and it was to prove crucial, as in the 94th minute and the referee about to blow for full time, Luke Alden stole in at the far post to side foot home Okehampton’s winner and duly take them to the top of the table.

What a disappointment for the home side who could indeed have taken themselves to the top of the table.

Crediton has had a marvellous start to the season and deserve many plaudits for the way they have handled themselves this season.

Crediton Team: Chalk, Whitfield, Preece, Bilcock, Johnson, Goss, Dorothy, Bennett, Tottell, Pike and Stapleton. Subs: Mudge, Knight and Radford.

Man of the Match: Ethan Chalk.

Paul Whittall