ST MARTIN’S 1 - CREDITON 4

CREDITON travelled to Minster Park on Saturday, September 30 to face an in-form St Martin’s team, who had won five games in a row, climbing to third in the table in the process.

With Newton Spurs losing 2-1 at home to Axminster last Friday night, Kirton knew they had a chance to draw level on points with the league leaders, with a victory in this match.

Trenaman was missing Groom, McCann and Pike from the squad, but was able to welcome back Durrant and Townsend, who had both been missing for several weeks.

Pryse was handed his second start in a row, this time at centre-half alongside Goss, with Khoo returning at full-back. Blake also returned to the starting line up, after missing out on the mid-week victory over Appledore.

It was the Saints who started the game the brightest, Cooper causing problems down the right-hand side, resulting in a succession of corners, in which both himself and Carstairs went close with headed efforts.

However, it wasn’t long before Crediton were causing problems of their own, Ord turning Tavender inside and out, before forcing a save from Bailey in the Saints goal.

From the resulting corner, Bilcock swung a delivery to the far post, where Ord climbed highest above his man, to head in off the underside of the bar and give Kirton the lead.

One soon become two as Crediton hit a quickfire double, Yao broke down the right and forced the ball across the edge of the box. Barkers clearance was poor and Morish capitalised, dummying onto his favoured right foot and curling the ball past Bailey from 15 yards to make it 2-0.

Saints were on the ropes as Crediton were exploiting their defensive frailties, with Stevens in particular having a bit of a horror show at left-back.

Ord and Blake were getting the better of their markers and it was no surprise when the two combined to widen the margin. Blake beat Tavender in the air and flicked on a long ball forward, Ord was quickest to latch on to it and he found himself one-on-one, as Carstairs had tried to step up and play the offside trap.

With all the time in the world he rolled the ball past Bailey, to give Kirton some breathing space.

Moments later Kirton made it four, Morish was brought down on the left-hand side, giving Bilcock another opportunity with the dead ball, his deep delivery towards Lee caused confusion in the Saints ranks, with Bailey coming to punch, as Carstairs tried to head clear.

However, the Saints ‘keeper made a mess of things and punched the ball over his own head, leaving Lee with a simple tap in.

Although rather than prodding home, he let the ball spin over the line, rather than risk an offside flag, from a rather biased Saints linesman.

Crediton were flying at this point and looked to be in total control as half-time approached, however with the last kick of the half the home side found themselves on the scoreboard.

A free kick was met by the head of Cooper, who looped a header over Waring which cannoned back off the bar, dropping kindly to the feet of Davies, who slotted into an empty net, with Waring stranded.

This meant that there was still something to play for in the second half, as Saints knew an early goal would bring them right back into it.

However, the second 45 minutes turned out to be a pretty drab affair, with Crediton happy to sit back on their 4-1 lead and Saints offering little threat going forward, apart from the occasional set piece.

Crediton were looking dangerous on the break and looked the more likely to increase their advantage.

Ord and Morish broke down the left, with the latter finding himself one-on-one, he checked back onto his favoured right foot, but curled an effort agonisingly wide, with Bailey beaten.

Then there came another chance for a Kirton fifth. After a swift break, Ord, Bilcock and Morish all had efforts blocked in a goalmouth scramble, which Saints eventually cleared.

In the 75th minute a moment of madness from Carstairs saw the home side reduced to 10 men.

With Saints ready to take a corner he grappled with Goss, an ongoing theme throughout the game, however this time he lost his head and reacted to the Crediton defenders physical approach, decided to headbutt him, right in front of the referee, utter stupidity from the Saints defender, who was swiftly given his marching orders.

The final 15 minutes was a bit of a damp squib, with the tie well and truly settled. Crediton did go close to extending their lead through substitute Durrant and Ord nearly completed his hat-trick but was denied by Bailey.

The final whistle blew and it was Kirton who brought an abrupt end to St Martin’s five wins on the bounce with a dominant display.

This win takes Crediton level on points with Newton Spurs at the top of the table. A great performance from front-to-back, with everyone playing their part.

Next up for Crediton is a Devon Premier Cup tie away at Paignton Villa tomorrow, Saturday, October 7, with a 2pm kick off.

Dave Lee