AXMINSTER TOWN 2 - CREDITON UNITED 4

CREDITON travelled to the impressive Tiger Way to face Axminster Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase on Saturday, September 9.

The club has never got further than the first round but this was a great opportunity against a team in the same division, rather than the customary higher league opposition.

Significant prize money is up for grabs each round, so this was a big occasion for Crediton.

The players arrived via coach, along with a handful of supporters, who also made the trip across Devon to cheer the boys on.

Trenaman named a strong starting line-up, with Bilcock and Townsend the only notable absentees from the squad.

Groom returned to the back four to rekindle his rock solid partnership with Goss at centre-half, and Lee moving back into midfield alongside Carpenter and Durrant.

Blake replaced McCann on the right of a front three as Crediton were looking to get back amongst the goals after drawing a blank in their previous two outings.

The game was a fairly even contest to start with, both defences were firmly on top. Neither team were able to create any notable chances as the sides were quite happy to ease themselves into the game.

Crediton did burst into life in the 15th minute when some neat interplay between the front three put Ord in on goal, unselfishly he squared for Morish to tap into an empty net and give Kirton the lead.

One soon became two as Crediton began to turn the screw. After some fine passing the ball ended up at the feet of Durrant on the left, he checked back inside and hit a fine dipping strike which gave Wells-Burr no chance in the Axminster goal, as the ball clipped the underside of the bar on its way in.

The remainder of the half lacked real quality, as Crediton looked threatening on the break, against a fairly sluggish Axminster back three.

However Axminster grew into the game themselves and got on the score sheet in the 35th minute, a free kick from the half-way line was floated into the box.

Waring came flying out to punch the ball, taking it off the head of Goss, but failed to make a proper connection and the ball fell to the feet of Dibling. Again it looked like Goss would clear but Waring again tried to intervene, fumbling the ball straight out to Skilton, who made no mistake in lifting the ball over Pike, who had dropped back onto the line.

Crediton were on the back foot as Axminster grew in confidence, Dibling and Pinder were causing problems up front and Waring was called into action in the 40th minute, saving well from a Dibling effort.

Just on the stroke of half-time Crediton restored their two-goal advantage, Ord flicked the ball into the path of Durrant this time and he raced away on goal, wrong footing the ‘keeper with his finish but unfortunately pulling his groin in the process. This spelt the end of the game for the influential midfielder as he was replaced at half-time by McCann.

Trenaman changed to a 4-4-2 at half-time to try and nullify Axminster’s threat from out wide. Carpenter and Lee were left with the difficult job of dealing with three Tigers’ midfielders but Blake did a fine job of dropping in from a striking role, to help out when possible.

The change of shape seemed to work as Waring was hardly troubled in the second 45 minutes, as the Crediton back four looked extremely comfortable.

Khoo and Morish were getting joy down the left-hand side and Morish put one on a plate for Ord, who could not quite apply the finishing touch.

Pike was then replaced by the youngster Yao, meaning the versatile McCann dropped in to full-back.

Crediton sealed the game in the 70th minute after some pinball in the box. Ord completed his hat-trick of assists, albeit fortunately, after a loose touch found its way to the feet of Blake, who made no mistake from eight yards, putting the game firmly beyond reach of the home side.

Pryce was then introduced for the final 15 in place of Ord, who worked tirelessly all game but could not quite get his reward in front of goal.

There was time for a late consolation for Axminster, in the 89th minute. A corner was half cleared and Skilton doubled his tally for the day, firing through a barrage of yellow shirts.

A comfortable and well-deserved victory for Crediton as they progressed to the second qualifying round for the first time in their history.

They also scooped £500 prize money, much to the delight of the club and committee, who work thanklessly to keep the club running smoothly.

Next up for the First Team is another Cup Tie - the Walter C Parsons League Cup with an extra early 1pm kick off away to Sidmouth Town on Saturday, September 16.

Also on Saturday, the Reserves will be at home in the first round of the Devon Senior Cup with Barnstaple-based Pilton Academicals the visitors to Lords Meadow for a 2pm kick off.

Dave Lee