CREDITON Youth Football Under 16’s have capped a fine season by winning the Exeter and District Youth League Division Two title in their debut season in the league.

For many seasons they had played in the North Devon Youth League on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately, last season the side had to reluctantly withdraw from the league part-way through the season, owing to player unavailability and transport issues on a Sunday.

Undeterred by this, manager Simon Stevens and coach Matt Madelin kept the squad together and continued training, only taking a few weeks break in the summer holidays.

With a few new additions and some returning players, it was decided to enter the Exeter and District Youth League and give Saturday morning football a try, for the lads’ last season of youth football.

Venturing into the unknown, the side suffered a 2-1 cup defeat to Okehampton, in their first game.

The opposition manager was full of praise for the Crediton lads, and said they would have no problem adjusting to life to their new league.

As the season progressed and the victories began to follow, the pressure and expectation to finish youth football, on a high began to grow.

Everyone involved was beginning to talk about the potential of winning the league.

With two games to go, the boys faced a rearranged Friday night fixture away to Pinhoe.

With 10 minutes to go Crediton found themselves 3-2 down and after an inspired change of formation managed to get an equaliser.

But, with a draw not enough, the lads threw everything at Pinhoe and were awarded an injury time penalty.

With the manager, players and parents all on tenterhooks, Adam Palfrey calmly tucked the penalty away.

The cheers and jubilation from the players and parents had to be seen to be believed.

With one more win needed to secure the title, Crediton really fancied their chances with the final game of the season being a home fixture against a struggling Exmouth United side.

Despite offering the opponents three different kick-off times Exmouth were unable to fulfil the fixture handing Crediton Youth Under 16’s the league title. Very much an anti-climax to an amazing season.

Despite this, in true spirit of the side every player in the squad met up for a training session and to celebrate their success on the final day of the season.

It has been a tremendous season for the players and the parents after the difficulties of last season.

Congratulations must go to Simon Stevens for all the hard work and commitment he has put into the side over the years and the decision to keep the lads together to see out their final season in youth football.

Special thanks also go to Matt Madelin for all the time he has put to the side.