CREDITON Youth Football Club held a successful signing on event with more than 150 players sign up for the forthcoming season.

Following on from that saw the annual Coaches Game and barbecue. This year the Under 16’s challenged the Coaches to a game.

With the Under 16’s being crowned Division Two champions it was going to be a tight match. Some of the older players from the Coaches side had stepped aside to allow some younger blood from the coaching team to get involved.

The game started at a frantic pace on a great looking Lords Meadow pitch on a bright sunny evening.

It was the Under 16’s who had all the early chances, with Nick Saunders making some fine saves to keep the score goalless.

As the half progressed the Coaches got back into the game with Scott Brimilcombe and Adam Clark starting to win the midfield battle with Rich Edworthy and Matt Madelin getting involved in some great moves.

The lively Gary Stagg got close on a couple of occasions, the Under 16’s ‘keeper Sam Turner being the hero.

But after some great work by Gary, it was Matt Madelin who put the Coaches in front.

Only a fine save from Sam Turner prevented Robbie Miller from putting the Coaches two up. But as the half progressed it was the youngsters who got back into the game and after a couple of let offs it was Tyler Adbey who with a fine chip brought the scores level.

The Coaches started the second half strongly, and with Steve Lethbridge and Adrian Harvey in the heart of the defence absorbing any pressure from the Under 16’s, this really gave the Coaches a license to push forward.

After a few missed chances it was Martin Daniel who cooly put them in front.

More was to follow with Gary Stagg forcing a fine save from Sam Turner only for Matt Madelin to fire in the rebound to make it three.

Not long after Matt, the youngest player in the Coaches side, got his third goal to make it 4-1.

As expected, the older legs tired and the Under 16’s got back into the game with an Eli Rous, free kick. This saw a great last 10 minutes with the Under 16’s putting immense pressure on the Coaches with Nico Del Rio amongst others going really close.

A great game of football played in a fine spirit, giving the Under 16’s a good taste of adult football.

Many thanks to Crediton United for use of the facilities and to Kye Fowler for refereeing.

MD