FA Vase Qualifying Round One

ST AUSTELL 3

CREDITON UNITED 2

ON a muggy Saturday morning (September 10) Crediton boarded the “fun bus” at Lords Meadow, along with a handful of the faithful Kirton Ultras and set off on what proved to be, a long three-hour journey, across the border and down to St Austell for a mouthwatering FA Vase game.

On paper Kirton were very much the underdogs, however they had produced some stirring results of late and would go into the game with confidence, against their higher division opponents.

They arrived at Poltair Park sitting in an unfamiliar position, at the very summit of the table.

Crediton made two changes from the previous week, with Durrant replacing Stone to give the team a more physical presence and Khoo coming in at left-back for the absent McCann.

The game started at a frantic pace, with the home side determined to stamp their authority on proceedings and the away side looking very nervy on this big occasion.

Goss was booked after five minutes, being done for pace and trickery twice by the dangerous Eddy.  

Captain Dave Lee was given the job of disrupting the home side’s rhythm and it wasn’t long before he had the physio on the pitch after clattering into left-back Watts. 

St Austell opened the scoring on 10 minutes, when a jinking run and cross from Tinsley was headed in by skipper Reski.

Crediton were then forced into an early change, Morish was replaced by Stone. The one-goal lead soon became two, although there was a large element of controversy in the end, Eddy slipped the ball through the home defence to the advancing Evans who finished with aplomb, however he looked a good five yards offside, but despite large protests the goal was given! 

Crediton finally settled into the game and started to impose their passing game on the sloping, but immaculate, surface. Deservedly they got back into the game on 25 minutes, Bilcock slotting home a free kick from 22 yards, with the ‘keeper left like a stranded fish, after gambling towards the opposite corner.

It wasn’t long before the physio was back in action, Lee once again the culprit, this time leaving Giles in a heap after a crunching 50/50.

Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half, until a rash challenge from Khoo, deep into first half stoppage time, gifted the home side a free kick right on the edge of the box, which Watts, with his wand of a left foot, curled over the wall and past Tonkin via a large deflection.

This was a hammer blow to Kirton’s hopes right on the stroke of half-time. 

The second half was more of a cagey affair, with the home side looking happy to sit back and concede possession. Chances were few and far between, with both sides looking dangerous from set pieces.

Khoo was replaced by Pike and the impressive Skinner shifted across to left back, then Crediton were forced into their final change as Bradford pulled up with the same complaint as Morish.

He was replaced by “gaffer” Trenaman, although it’s still a mystery as to which position he was playing, as he popped up absolutely everywhere.

There was still not a lot in the way of clear cut chances for either side, although Durrant, who put in a mammoth shift up top, was put clean through on goal, however to the home fans delight, he stood on the ball and fell flat on his face!

Crediton did set up a grandstand finish with five to go. Blake found himself one-on-one and slotted past the on-rushing Chapman.

Unfortunately Kirton could not fashion another chance in the dying stages and the tight contest finished with a victory for the relieved home side.

A great effort by all involved and on another day with a bit more rub of the green, the result could easily have gone the other way.

A special mention to all the travelling support who made the long journey in severe traffic to support the lads. This result shows how far the team has come since last season, with disappointment amongst all the players at the full-time whistle despite a battling performance.

Nathan Keast