THE last Crediton Youth FC fixture of the year to be played under the floodlights at Lords Meadow saw an Under 18’s Girls side take on a Barnstaple Ladies Development side.

Earlier in the season the girls had played against a Torquay United development side and lost in an exciting game, the result 6-3.

The side was made up mainly of girls who had played their youth football at Crediton, alongside a few guest players, including ex youth player Amy Salter who now plays her football at Feniton ladies.

Barnstaple brought along a squad of around 20 players and were excited to be playing a floodlit game.

The Crediton girls fell behind to an early goal in the first few minutes, but soon settled down and started to take control of the game. Millie Robinson and Rowan Karkeek were starting to take control of the midfield, and it was not long before an excellent strike from Millie got Crediton back on level terms.

Confidence was now high, with Maddie Taylor and Erin Lancelles starting to get lots of space down both flanks.

A shot from Rowan Karkeek hit the cross bar and Cheyenne Coakely neatly fired the rebound in to give Crediton the lead. Soon after, Noor Rasch, with a superb chip, added another and not long after got her second of the night. Just before half-time Tash Harvey made it 5-1 with another fine strike.

The second half started with Barnstaple being the stronger side and got a well-deserved goal to pull it back to 5-2. But this spurred the Crediton girls on, and they started to get back into the game.

The Barnstaple ’keeper made a string of fine saves before Erin Lancelles got a well-deserved goal. Chloe Hartrey with a curling shot from the touch line concluded the scoring with the game ending 7-2 to the home side.

It was great to see ladies football on the main pitch at Lords Meadow with an enthusiastic crowd watching. Credit must go to both sides for a cracking game of football, which was excellently officiated by referee Martin Bovey.

Special thanks must go to Crediton United for allowing many of the youth sides the opportunity to host evening fixtures under the lights at Lords Meadow.