CREDITON UNITED 3-2 OKEHAMPTON ARGYLE

AFTER the opening three games of the new season Crediton were goalless so it was with a little trepidation that I travelled to Simmons Park as the young Crediton lads led by former goalie Fred Tonkin took on Okehampton in a game where local pride was at stake.

However they did not disappoint and over the 90 minutes were the better side and deserved their first win of the season.

This is probably the youngest Crediton side I have witnessed for years and they played well, creating several good chances and although playing without an orthodox striker they still managed three goals away from home.

The catalyst for this effort was former player Shay Corrick who was superb in an attacking midfield position and time after time he showed what Crediton had been lacking and was my man of the match.

So many new faces to me were on show and they didn’t disappoint.

Crediton had already gone close as Elis Aldrich gave the Okey defender a torrid time with his skill and pace.

But it was from a corner on the left that Louis Garnsworthy planted a firm header into the net from Isaac Littlejohns fine cross 0-1 after 22 minutes.

Okehampton came into the match but were rather fortunate to equalise with a goal similar to that of Crediton’s as an unmarked header beat keeper Lewis Slade for 1-1.

The teams trooped in with honours even but the second half would belong to the away side as time and time again they created fine passing moments and left Okehampton in their wake.

On 59 minutes a slinky passing effort was followed in by Shay Corrick from close range 1-2 and only four minutes later a solo effort from Jacob Fever ended up in the net and the Kirton were two goals ahead 1-3.

Substitutions were made and Okehampton huffed and puffed but despite what was probably the goal of the match arriving through a sweet left foot shot that flew into the top corner, Crediton were controlling the game and deserved great credit for seeing the game out.

At the end the smiles on the youthful faces was telling and they now face a stronger test on Saturday as Bridport are the visitors, but they must have gained a lot of confidence from this fine performance. Well done lads.

Crediton team: Slade, Gething, Shaw, McKenzie, Garnsworthy, Perry, Littlejohns, Aldrich, Corrick, Butterfield, Fever. Subs: Maynard, Ebdon, Bragg.

Man of the Match: Shay Corrick.

Paul Whittall