South West Peninsula League East
THIS was an absolute corker of a football match. I had only been down to Erme Valley once before, and witnessed an extremely dull encounter, but this time I was in for an absolute cracker.
The last time I came to visit there was nowhere to hide from the elements. Now there was a smashing grandstand and the pitch had been turned round, giving the place a much more snug feel to it.
Bumping into Crediton stalwarts Mary Avery as well as Tony and Pat was a pleasure as usual.
Also my old friend from the Devon committee Phil Hiscox was present, giving me regular updates of what was occurring elsewhere.
The match itself was a joy. Crediton arrived decimated by suspensions and injuries and both captain Dave Lee and Jonny Bradford were suspended and ever present centre-half Steve Goss was absent.
This meant the return of not only manager Matt Trenaman in midfield but also Lee Waring in goal and when Lee plays he will not allow anyone to lose enthusiasm as the old cries of “Creddyead” and “yellow (although we were in our old blue kit) winner” filled the air with the usual gusto.
How reassuring to receive the dulcet tones of Mr W across the playing fields of this part of West Devon.
Crediton started off the match in spectacular fashion and a long ball over the top found Leyton Cooper who held the ball up and then squared it to Sam Stapleton who gave the goalkeeper no chance from five yards out.
This unlikely nine minute lead gave the Crediton contingent hope indeed.
This did not last long as Ivybridge soon equalised after the defence went to sleep.
After 30 minutes it was 2-1 to the home side as the ball bounced around like a slippery fish in the Crediton area after a terrific save by Lee.
The home side were exhibiting a superb passing game and their running of the ball made it very difficult for Crediton to get hold of it.
Despite the greens dominating the game they couldn’t find a way past Lee in the Kirton goal who was in terrific form.
After half-an-hour Matt Trenaman went off injured after a brave attempt to boost the midfield and was replaced by Lewis Chance.
Although Crediton were only a goal behind at half-time it looked like Ivybridge could easily overrun the visitors.
It began to drizzle slightly so I scuttled into the main stand and took up my position on half-way.
After 51 minutes Ivybridge went further ahead with a fine goal scored by their centre forward. The next goal would be crucial and astonishingly it was Crediton that got it.
From Guy Allums deft free kick the ball fell to Leyton Cooper at the far post and he made no mistake. So with 63 minutes gone it was 3-2.
One always felt that another Ivybridge goal would finish off the visitors but this just did not happen. Then for me the moment of the match as Lee Waring produced a save worthy of Gordon Banks to tip the ball over the crossbar when all looked lost.
On 76 minutes an absolute riproarer gave the Crediton goalie no chance which made it 4-2 to Ivybridge.
Mr Hiscox mused that this could turn into a seven goal thriller and soon after it did.
A fine jinking run by Sam Stapleton ended up squeezing in at the far post when it looked like the goalkeeper would’ve stopped it. It was 4-3 with 10 minutes to go.
Even with the depleted midfield Crediton still looked dangerous going forward.
Although Ivybridge maintained their slick passing game, every time Crediton got the ball there looked an opportunity for more goals.
It was Ivybridge who added a fifth with five minutes to go as yet another unstoppable shot sailed into the back of the onion bag and Lee could only watch and admire.
As 90 minutes arrived Crediton then gained a surprise penalty which was converted beautifully by man of the match Guy Allum.
Guy was simply superb filling a deeper midfield role, than usual, scoring twice and setting up another. This was the first occasion the referee had to use his notebook. This had been a superb game of football, free of dodgy challenges and appalling rhetoric.
The whole Crediton team deserves a pat on the back. The effort was wonderful and the partnership grows with every game by the front players Cooper, Stapleton and Allum showing how far this young team is progressing under the tutelage of Matt Trenaman.
Crediton - Waring, Norton, Oldfield, Trenaman, Edginton (c), Groome, Hamill, Allum, Cooper, Stapleton and Snow, substitutes Croft and Chance. Man of the match - Guy Allum.
Paul Whittall