ILFRACOMBE TOWN 0 - CREDITON UNITED 2

CREDITON United made the long journey to Malborough Park on a blustery Saturday afternoon (August 19).

After two wins from two games, Kirton arrived in high spirits and went into the game full of confidence. Ilfracombe have had a mixed start to the season. After an opening day draw against St Martin’s, they were thumped 5-0 in a midweek local derby at Torridgeside.

Trenaman was forced to shuffle his pack due to the unavailability of Ord, Bilcock and McCann. In came Khoo at left back, Pike starting on the right wing and young Townsend in the number 10 role.

Waring also returned in goal and had big shoes to fill after Mike Searle’s impressive mid-week, cameo performance.

The game was always going to be a scrappy affair in such conditions, with the surface slow and the wind playing havoc when the ball left the deck. Neither side could grab a foothold in the game during the early stages, but it was Kirton who took the lead in the 10th minute.

Combe were guilty of some sloppy passing across the back line and the ball found its way to Morish in the left hand channel; he raced away from the sluggish home defence and slotted past Holmes to put the visitors ahead.

The home side enjoyed a larger share of possession for the remainder of the first half, but Crediton were looking extremely comfortable at the back, with Goss and Groom continuing their dominant centre-half partnership and Khoo and Carpenter offering plenty of quality in the full-backs areas.

Morish nearly doubled Crediton’s advantage just before half-time. Lee won the ball in midfield and put Morish clean through on goal in the left-hand channel once again. This time though his left-footed effort cannoned off the underside of the bar, looking like it might have crossed the line, but the referee waved play on and the chance came and went.

The second 45 minutes resumed in much the same way as the first, with the home side dominating possession without any real penetration going forward.

Crediton were still quite happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, relying on their quick counter attack to get that all-important second goal.

There were no real chances for either side as the half wore on, with Waring and Holmes both spectators for the majority of the half.

In the 85th minute there was a moment of real class, which left people reminiscing about Beckham’s halfway line strike vs Wimbledon all those years ago.

However, this was more like Maynor Figueroa’s attempt for Wigan some years later. A free kick was awarded to Crediton inside their own half, Carpenter spotted Holmes on the edge of his box and audaciously attempted to lob him from all of 60 yards!

With the wind in his favour his sublime effort was inch perfect, evading the clutches of the back peddling ‘keeper and hitting the net without even bouncing, a goal that will be talked about and remembered for years to come, with Carpenter sure to remind the grandkids of that one!

Carpenter’s stroke of genius ultimately sealed the game for Kirton, but there was still time for some late drama.

Combe midfielder Phillips, already on a yellow card after a first half head loss, tangled with Crediton substitute Edworthy and took him down with a suplex-like manoeuvre, more suited to Wrestlemania than the South West Peninsula. The referee had no choice but to issue a second yellow card and Phillips was given his marching orders.

A scrappy game played in tough conditions, with neither side able to get into any rhythm. Crediton just about deserved their victory, thanks to their resolute defending, more of a cutting edge going forward and a goal that deserved to win any game.

Trenaman will be pleased that Kirton kept their first clean sheet of the season and they now sit top of the table, after three wins from three, a tremendous start to the season for the club.

Next up for Crediton is another away trip, this time a journey to South Devon, as they take on Galmpton and Roselands, tomorrow, Saturday, August 26, 3pm kick off.

Dave Lee