FOLLOWING on from the previous Saturday’s 5-3 Cup victory at Honiton Town, there was more than a little apprehension among the excellent following of Kirton supporters for last Tuesday (January 25) evening’s trip to Tavistock’s Langsford Ground in the “Bayside Graphics” Devon St Luke’s Bowl Cup match.

With Tavistock sitting 12 points clear at the top of the Western League Premier Division, local supporters must have been anticipating a one-sided home victory on what must be one of the best non-league playing surfaces in the county.

Tavistock started the game impressively, creating chances down both sides of the very wide pitch.

Former Crediton player Dan Koita, had an early chance of opening the home team’s tally, powering his way into the box to force a great save from United’s keeper Michael Searle.

United weathered the opening period and eventually put the home team under sustained pressure for 10 minutes with Sam Stapleton having the best chance of opening the scoreline, narrowly missing the right hand goal post.

But, the home team weathered the pressure and eventually opened the scoring shortly before half-time with, following a corner, Teigan Rosen driving home from some 15 yards out through the goal mouth melee.

United continued to match the home team’s play throughout the second half with captain Dave Lee and midfielder James Close outstanding.

Tavistock’s goal advantage remained the same until late in the game but even when their Warren Daw scored a second goal, the Crediton lads looked quite capable of levelling the score and taking the game into a penalty play off.

However, as Crediton were, yet again, pressing the “Lambs” goal, the home side’s Josh Grant broke from his own penalty area to run the whole length of the pitch to putting the score beyond doubt for Tavistock.

Despite the result Crediton produced probably their best performance of the season and now they have overcome the succession of player injuries and will be looking to climb out of the nether region of the SWPL league table.

Next up, tomorrow, Saturday, January 29, United welcome eighth placed Axminster Town to Lords Meadow for a 3pm KO with the Reserves having their first game since December 18 away to lowly Hatherleigh.

Chris Gillard