CREDITON UNITED 2

ELMORE 4

IN A game that started really promisingly for the home side, they were eventually out-muscled by the visitors from Horsdon Park.

Although Elmore lie one league below Crediton these days, there was no denying that this was no giant killing and I am sure their star shall rise if they continue to show the resilience they displayed in this Lords Meadow encounter. 

In actual fact the game may not have been played at all. The greatly improved Crediton pitch cut up very badly and on and off throughout the match the heavens opened and the wind blew with all its might. 

Although Elmore hit the post early it was the home side who opened the scoring with a great goal. 

A fine passing move between Perry Carpenter, Simon Durrant and Emlyn Harris ended with a fine turn and chip from Richard Blake who continued his fine scoring form this season. This brought the score to 1-0. 

After 19 minutes Emlyn Harris scuffed his shot when the goal was gaping after a slip by the visiting goalie which would have made it 2-0 to the hosts and they were to pay dearly for it. 

On 37 minutes a long ball over the top was crucially misinterpreted by ‘keeper Nathan Keast who came charging out of his goal and distracted a bemused Dave Lee. 

In the ensuing fracas Kieran Rapo nipped in to slide the ball into the home net making it 1-1. 

Then almost immediately it was 1-2 as Mark Harris slipped on the treacherous surface and the Elmore winger crossed where the ball was met with a bullet header from Andrew Murphy which gave Keast no chance. 

So, in the blink of an eye the tie had been turned on its head. 

However there was more to come before the half was at its end as Elmore were caught napping and a free kick was placed into the box as the admiring defenders hesitated. 

Blakey and Steve Morish both went for the ball and it was Morish who side-footed it home for the equaliser. 

After the half-time orange had been consumed it was back into the breach and the rain pelted the players with gusto. 

How they managed to make a game of it is a credit to all the lads. Elmore played a very determined game and battled for every ball.

Crediton meanwhile tried to get their passing game together but it proved very difficult. 

The half was only five minutes old when Elmore took the lead. A free kick was partially saved by Keast but Kieran Rapo was quicker to the ball and glided it home while the defenders stood rooted to the spot. 

Still Crediton tried to counter but the final ball was lacking and they never really threatened the Elmore goal for the rest of the game. 

With a couple of minutes left another long ball from wide on the left was smashed home by substitute Callum Old for Elmore’s fourth. 

They celebrated the goal in style and it was this effort that propelled them into the next round at the expense of the hosts. 

Word must be mentioned of the performance of Dave Lee who worked tirelessly in the midfield and also of Craig Skinner and Lee Waring who had fine games. 

Elmore now face local rivals Tiverton Town tomorrow while Crediton return to league action against Bovey Tracey.

PW