South West Peninsula League East

Crediton United 2 - Torridgeside 1

CREDITON moved to within one point of second place Bridport with this titanic struggle against the visitors from North Devon and it took an 87th minute winning goal to do so, and all that after a most contentious moment which left the Torridgeside lads fuming. 

The linesman had spotted that the Torridgeside goalie had stepped outside of his area when clearing the ball. 

Apparently it had not been the first time he had done this. 

After consulting said linesman the referee, who had an excellent game for one so young, awarded a free kick on the edge of the visitors box. 

After much delay Adam Bilcock unleashed a fierce shot which the goalie could only parry. 

The first man on the scene in the melee that followed was substitute Harry Warren and he shot home from about six yards out. 

One Torridgeside player was so outraged that he booted the ball at the Lino and was duly sent off for his petulant outburst. 

Then it was the turn of the manager who was also sent off, owing to the fact that he would not cease his chastising of the man in black. 

The whistle blew soon after and the deed was done but although Crediton managed to win, the result doesn’t tell the whole story. 

After beating Dartmouth on Saturday (who were bottom of the table), Torridgeside came to the Meadow having had, according to a friend, an appalling record recently and lay only one place above the Darts, so it was fair to assume that a home win could be happening. 

However it was not to be that simple and Torridgeside played some good football throughout indicating that their situation may not be as desperate as the position looks. 

It was 0-0 at half-time although in fairness Crediton should have been ahead. Sam Stapleton had a fine effort saved and so did Harvey Dorothy. 

Just before the break Torridgeside hit the bar following a flowing move that caught Crediton off their guard. 

The home side looked like they were missing 10 goal striker Luke White up front and Harvey was not his usual self and was taken off half way through the half and replaced by Lewis Wilson. 

Also manager Ben Watson came on and took up an unfamiliar position on the left wing. 

Then Torridgeside won a free kick about 10 or so yards outside the penalty area and after a short delay Rory Paine sent a barnstormer of a left foot shot curling into the Crediton net. 

The North Devon side went bonko and were in front ( 0-1). 

At that stage in the second half you could not say they didn’t deserve it. Crediton now knew they were in a match and laid siege to the visitors goal with Adam Bilcock dominating midfield and Aidan Whitfield surging forward from the back. 

It was not until the 79th minute that the goal came and when it did it, it was an absolute corker. 

Crediton won a corner on the right which was taken by Aidan Whitfield and his cross was met with such a towering header from Nelson Iseguan that it was simply unstoppable and left the keeper grasping at thin air (1-1). 

Crediton continued to press and then the previously described moment occurred. 

They had literally grabbed all three points although it has to be said that they played the better football throughout. 

Crediton team: Arthur, Whitfield, Knight, Morrison, Johnson, Bilcock, Down, Dorothy, Iseguan, Corrick and Stapelton. 

Subs: Warren, Wilson and Watson.

Man of the match: Nelson Iseguan.

Paul Whittall