CREDITON 4

BOVEY TRACEY 3

CREDITON hosted Bovey Tracey on a windy day last Saturday (December 5), on a heavy pitch following the previous week’s cup game, which was a stark comparison to the meeting on Bovey’s carpet of a pitch in August.

Since that day, which saw a 3-2 win for Bovey, the two sides have had contrasting fortunes. Bovey have slipped down the table and have lost their manager, whilst Creddy have gone on a good run and been comfortable in the top 10, being three points and having two games in-hand ahead of Bovey.

Saturday’s game turned out to be an absolute thriller with attacking open football from both teams. Against the run of play the visitors opened the scoring on 15 minutes in comical fashion.

A through ball over the top caught out Matt Trenaman and his attempted clearance struck the on-rushing Bovey striker and flew past Lee Waring.

Trying to get the ball and playing on a soggy pitch, Creddy equalised on 20 minutes. A lovely scooped through ball by the tireless Steve Morish, released Perry Carpenter who struck a low left foot strike across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner to restore parity.

Just when it looked like Creddy would turn the screw with Perry having a well-taken free kick saved by the away ‘keeper and Richard Blake firing just over the top, Bovey hit a double blow.

On 31 minutes another piece of poor defensive positioning allowed the Bovey striker a clean run through on goal from deep and his shot from just outside the box sailed over the head of the advanced Lee Waring.

Bovey went further ahead on 40 minute when a strike from 25-yards dipped and swerved and eluded Waring in the home goal to give the visitors a 3-1 lead at the interval.

Despite being 1-3 behind, the next goal was going to be crucial as Creddy had chances throughout the first half.

A tactical formation tweak from the gaffer saw a 3-5-2 formation adopted and this paid immediate dividends with Alex Bowden and Morish excelling in wing back roles.

Creddy reduced the deficit on 50 minutes, a low pull back from Bowden found Blakey in a borderline offside position who stroked home from six yards.

This goal gave Creddy the impetus they needed and led to almost total domination for the rest of the half with Bovey struggling to keep the ball or create any scoring chances.

The scores were levelled up on 71 minutes, again with the same combination as the second goal, with Bowden picking out Blakey who found the bottom corner from 14 yards to remarkably bag his 16th league goal of the season and rise to second in the league scoring charts.

Another change from the gaffer, which would turn out to be inspired, saw the returning Ben Pike replacing the tiring Morish.

The winning goal came on 85 minutes when a deep cross from Pike was buried at the back post by Bowden to the delight of the home faithful.

Creddy now are out of action until Boxing Day when they have a tough game against high-flying Appledore, which will be one to watch after the 1-0 win at Marshford at the end of last season which denied the fishermen the league table.

Creddy are now up to eighth with games in-hand on teams around them and will look to continue on their good form in that game.

Nathan Keast