BROCKENHURST 2 - CREDITON 1

CREDITON made the long coach journey to the New Forest on Saturday, October 21, for its eagerly anticipated FA Vase clash against Brockenhurst.

The Badgers, who ply their trade two steps higher than Crediton, were favourites on paper going into the tie, but that would count for very little, against an in-form Crediton side, who were unbeaten in their last six outings.

It was an extremely blustery afternoon thanks to the tail end of storm Brian, which meant the wind would play a major factor throughout the match.

Trenaman opted for a 4-5-1 formation with a counter attacking style, which saw McCann handed a start on the left-wing, with Blake dropping to the bench. Skinner was preferred to Khoo at left-back and was given the thankless task of marking the Badgers main man Tickle.

Trenaman himself started at centre-half due to the absence of Groom, with Morish away sampling some of Thailand’s finest and Bilcock out with a reported hamstring strain.

Crediton knew the wind would be key and hoped to gain advantage from the off, but unfortunately Lee lost the toss and Crediton had to play against the wind in the first 45 minutes.

Brockenhurst started the game the brightest and put Crediton under a lot of pressure in the first 10 minutes, as they struggled to get out of their half, with Waring’s kicks struggling to reach half-way.

Speechly-Price fired just wide after some good work by Tickle on the right and then the Badgers took the lead from a simple route one ball.

Skipper Burt sent a long ball forward which caused confusion between Waring and Carpenter, allowing Barker to nip in and get a toe on the ball, taking it past Waring and into the empty net.

Crediton were on the back foot and the Badgers went close again after a jinking run from Tickle, but his effort from the edge of the box was straight down the throat of Waring in the Crediton sticks.

It took Crediton 20 minutes to finally settle into the game and they started to have some joy, particularly down the right where youngsters Yao and Townsend were linking excellently.

Durrant fired Crediton’s first effort wide, before McCann forced a good save from Kitcher from 18 yards.

McCarthy-Gardner broke through on goal after Yao lost the ball in a dangerous position, but he was halted by Lee, who took one for the team and fouled his opponent before he could get a clear shot on goal, luckily the referee saw a covering defender and Lee escaped with just a booking.

Townsend then went close for Crediton with a dipping effort, before Yao’s excellent run ended with a shot which deflected off of Burt and looped agonisingly wide of the post.

McCarthy-Gardner then took the selfish option of shooting from a tight angle when two of his team-mates would have had a simple tap in, as Crediton breathed a sigh of relief just before the break and they went in just the one goal behind, with all to play for, especially with the advantage of the gale force wind in the second half.

Brockenhurst started the second 45 minutes in similar fashion to the first, creating the more clear cut openings, with Dennett firing wide and then Tickle forcing two good saves from Waring.

Crediton began to see a lot more of the ball but were struggling to create many opportunities, Durrant shot horribly wide from the edge of the box, whilst the in-form Ord was being marshaled well by Burt and Kelly.

Khoo then replaced the tiring Yao, whilst Blake came on for Townsend and the two seemed to inject some life into the Kirton attack.

Crediton’s search for an equaliser was helped when Speechly-Price picked up a second booking, with 10 minutes to go.

Crediton surged forward and Trenaman joined the attack as more and more bodies were committed. The Crediton manager found Durrant, who turned sharply on the edge of the box, before slicing his shot wide.

Then Khoo wriggled through a couple tackles on the edge of the box, before firing just over with a left-footed drive.

As time was running out Ord produced a moment of magic in the 87th minute to claw his side back into it. A hopeful ball forward from Carpenter was chested down by Ord 35 yards from goal. He turned and beat two men, before working the ball onto his “weaker” left foot and unleashing a dipping strike, which gathered pace with the wind and flew past Kitcher, from all of 25 yards.

Crediton smelt blood, as they hounded the Badgers for the remaining minutes, in search of a winner. It was all Kirton at this point as the home side looked out on their feet, but the referee brought an end to proceedings to send the tie into extra time.

The visitors picked up where they left off as they produced the first chance, Durrant skipped away from a challenge but could only fire wide.

However, against the run of play it was Brockenhurst who regained the lead. From the resulting goal kick Goss had a free header, but Trenaman tried to intervene and inadvertently flicked the ball through to Tickle who was away on goal. Rather than shooting he unselfishly squared to Bada, who looped an effort over Waring and just past the despairing dive of Carpenter on the line.

Disaster for Crediton, who hadn’t looked in trouble at all from the moment the Badgers were reduced to 10.

Crediton responded well and created a host of chances in the final 20 minutes. Khoo set up Blake, who could only prod wide. Then in the second half of extra time Carpenter’s free kick was palmed out by Kitcher and just evaded the grasps of Ord, the ball going between his legs with the goal gaping.

The final chance fell to Blake with three minutes to go, Khoo marauded down the left and whipped a brilliant delivery into the box. Blake got across his man but glanced his back post header agonisingly wide of the post, as time ran out for the visitors.

A tremendous effort by Crediton, who went toe-to-toe with another side two steps higher than themselves. Games like this and the previous round, against Brislington, shows how far the lads have come in the last couple of seasons and they felt this was an opportunity missed at the final whistle, especially going into extra time against a tiring 10 men, but credit to Brockenhurst who dug in and grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat.

A big thank you must go to the travelling supporters, who gave up their whole Saturday to come and support the lads.

No doubt there was a few sore heads on the Sunday morning after a boozy bus journey back to Devon.

Next up for Kirton is a home fixture against Sidmouth Town, tomorrow, Saturday, October 28, 3pm kick off.

The club is also hosting a General Knowledge Quiz in the evening, with spaces still available on the night.

Entry is £5 per person with teams of up to five people.

First prize is £100 cash, with various other prizes.

Dave Lee