South West Peninsula League Division One East

EXWICK VILLA 1 - CREDITON UNITED 3

AFTER the disappointment of the home defeat on Tuesday, December 27, Crediton were looking to get back to winning ways when they made the short trip to lowly Exwick on December 31.

Despite the league standings this was always going to be a trickier encounter than it looked on paper. A local derby, on a tight pitch, which was extremely sticky underfoot, meant that it was always going to be a close affair, with limited opportunity for passing football.

Crediton started lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with several changes from the previous game. Manager Trenaman handed himself a rare start at centre-half, replacing Goss, McCann came in at wing back and there was a complete reshuffle in the middle of the park.

Morish moved in from his favoured wide position, Lee was back from suspension and Woodward was chomping at the bit after seeing the amount of mud on the pitch!

The game started in scrappy fashion. Neither side was able to gain control as the ball was lumped from one end to the other.

Crediton did finally have an effort on goal and it was nearly a wonder goal from full-back Khoo. He cut inside from the left and let fly from 35 yards. Gibbons was at full stretch to deny him and tipped over for a corner.

The opening goal did arrive after 25 minutes. Morish whipped in a great ball from the right and Gibbons came flying out to punch, however Ord was too sharp for him and nipped in to head home.

Exwick were still looking dangerous as target man Levi was causing Crediton’s back three some problems. It was no surprise that he was involved in the equaliser, after rolling Skinner, he beat Trenaman in the left-hand channel and then scuffed a shot across goal where winger Brad Cooke was on-hand to tap home.

A blow to Crediton on the stroke of half-time but probably deserved on the balance of play.

The second half was much of the same, very little football was played as the surface began to deteriorate considerably.

Woodward was in his element, knee deep in mud and battling for every second ball. Villa created a couple of chances and were unfortunate not to take the lead.

Tonkin dropped a tame strike from distance but luckily, for Crediton, managed to scramble back and gather on the line.

With Villa pushing forward Crediton always looked dangerous on the break and they regained the lead in the 70th minute. Ord was set free down the right, his pace and power took him past two defenders before he squared to Blake, who had the simplest of jobs, tapping into an empty net.

Villa pressed for the equaliser and kept pumping the ball forward, however the hammer blow came in the 80th minute.

Stone whipped in a great free kick from the left, Lee’s audacious flick looked to have beaten Gibbons but Ord was on-hand to make sure and smashed the ball home on the line.

There was still time for some late controversy as Crediton should have had a fourth. A Morish free kick on the edge of the box was unselfishly rolled through to Stone, who made no mistake poking the ball into the roof of the net, however, to everyone’s amazement, the home side’s linesman continued his terrible display and raised his flag, seconds after the ball hit the net!

A hard fought and scrappy win for Kirton, but a vital one after their recent slip up.

Credit for Exwick’s endeavour and work rate, with more performances like that they are sure to pick up points. Other results over the festive period now mean that Crediton sit joint second, four points off top spot.

Dave Lee