CREDITON UNITED 3-2 OKEHAMPTON ARGYLE

IT was a deserved win for Crediton on the road at the home of local rivals Okehampton Argyle on Tuesday, August 12 and a first win of the season to boot.

Although going into this game on the back of a big defeat at Stoke Gabriel, Crediton were ultimately too strong for the hosts.

Small changes in personnel seemed to work, and with the lively Kevin Pike lining up on the flank, hopes were high.

However, the opening 15 or so minutes belonged to the home side, and they laid siege to the Crediton goal.

After only nine minutes, they opened the scoring as a long ball found the defence caught square and the home striker rushed in to score with a fine goal. 1-0.

There was an injury to keeper Lewis Layton, but the youngster played on and had a fine game throughout.

Crediton just couldn't get out of their own half until about the 20th minute, when things began to turn in their favour.

Firstly, a strong run on the left by Finn Drew resulted in a fine cross, which was squeezed in by Lukey White who scored his second goal of the season. 1-1.

Then after 25 minutes, a back pass appeared to be getting nowhere and sensing blood, striker Will Collins chased the ball down and beat goalie Jack Arthur to it and rounded the keeper before side-footing home. 1-2.

So, in the blink of an eye, Crediton were ahead. Just before half-time, a mazy run from Will Collins nearly resulted in a third, but he was viciously hacked down after beating three players in grand style.

So it was Crediton who went in the happier at half-time. Livened by the half-time orange, the second half was a more feisty affair and Crediton began to pass the ball about in style.

With Pikey excelling once more on the right wing, they surged forward on many occasions.

After 53 minutes, a wonderful run from Mr Pike resulted in Will Collins calmly beating the keeper for his second of the night making the score 1-3.

This means Will now has six goals in the opening four games and continues to look the part.

He had one or two chances to collect a second hat trick of the season but was thwarted on both occasions by former Kirton man Jack Arthur.

The referee began to yellow card several players and then the game swayed this way and that. With 10 minutes to go, Okehampton hit back and an unmarked far-post header gave Lewis Leyton no chance at all.

Crediton continued to look for a fourth but it did not come. An Okey defender was sent to the stands as he gained a second yellow but Crediton managed to keep the 10 men at bay.

A great win for Paul Harris and the lads and it all puts in a good place for the visit of Newton Abbot Spurs on Saturday.

The Crediton team was Leyton, Maynard, Cole, Lee(c), Butterfield, Pike, Lungu, Harris, Collins, White and Drew. The subs were Bragg, Southcott, Littlejohns, Tootel and Bond. Man of the Match was Kevin Pike.

Paul Whittall