TORRIDGESIDE 1 CREDITON 3

TORRIDGESIDE were the visitors to Lords Meadow on a cold Tuesday evening (November 1), with the pitch looking ideal for some slick passing football.

Crediton knew a win could potentially take them seven points clear at the top of the table, if other results went in their favour, however TSide had only lost one game all season coming into the fixture, but had five games in-hand on Crediton, meaning they were well behind in terms of points.

This would be a big test for the home side and a great opportunity to extend their unbeaten run to six league games in a row.

Trenaman had the unfamiliar option of almost a full squad to choose from, with five players returning to the squad from Saturday’s win over Sidmouth.

However he kept faith with the side that ground out a victory at the weekend, with Yao the only absentee after picking up an injury. This meant a return to action for Khoo, who was deployed further forward than usual, in a left wing role.

The game started at quite a high tempo, with Lee putting in a crunching tackle in the opening 30 seconds, to set the tone for the evening.

TSide were playing some neat and tidy football and they created the first opening, with Stevens squaring to Walter, who hit the post from 10 yards, much to the relief of the Crediton faithful. The visitors were on top for the opening 15 and managed to apply some early pressure which was just about dealt with by the home side.

Crediton did finally grow into the game and were getting joy in the wider areas, with Khoo and Blake exploiting the space offered in behind of the TSide wingbacks.

The first goal came in the 20th minute, Lee won the ball in midfield and flicked on to Durrant, who beat his man on the edge of the box before being felled by Philips just inside the area, giving the referee an easy decision to point to the spot. Bilcock stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.

Crediton then doubled their advantage in the 30th, this time Bilcock turned provider, his corner was cleared but the ball dropped kindly back to him out on the left touchline, where he delivered an inch perfect cross on the half volley, allowing Blake to head in from five yards.

The home side were well on top at this point and looked to turn the screw, this time it was Ord who forced a good save from Williams, to keep the visitors in the game.

Just before halftime the away side nearly got themselves on the scoresheet, Bettiss met a Fishwick corner but could only head over the bar.

The second 45 saw Crediton come flying out of the blocks, Trenaman headed just over with a free header at the back post and then Durrant saw his effort saved by the increasingly active Williams.

On 60 minutes Crediton effectively put the game to bed, McCann marauded forward from left back, caressing a pass into Ord, who nudged the ball back into his path, after the worlds slowest step over, he sent Kenneally for a hot dog and toe punted the ball between the legs of Williams to double his tally for the season, before wheeling away into the corner with a huge grin on his face. 

Crediton looked home and dry, but did give TSide a sniff on 70 mins, Paine whipped in a corner from the right, with Bettiss climbing highest to head into the corner, somehow past Carpenter who was stationed on the post. 

Crediton then began to drop deeper as the away side pushed forward, Groom replaced the injured Trenaman and it seemed like Credi would see the game through, with another astute defensive performance. 

Waring had to be at his best to deny TSide grabbing a second, which would have set up a tense finale, Walter attempted to cross from 40 yards but overhit his attempt and it nearly caught the Kirton stopper off his line, but he scrambled back and tipped over the bar to maintain Crediton’s two goal lead.

There were some tense moments in the final 10, as a succession of TSide corners led to a goal mouth scramble, luckily for the home side the visitors could not apply the finishing touch and Goss was able to clear. 

Skinner replaced Bilcock and Morish returned from Thailand to replace Khoo, with fresh legs helping to shut up shop for Crediton. They began to look increasingly dangerous on the break as the away side threw bodies forward, with Ord very nearly making it four, before a fine intervention from Boundy.

The clock ticked on and Kirton saw the game out, recording a deserved 3-1 win against an in-form North Devon outfit.

A superb performance after a tricky opening 15 minutes, which saw them forced back and put under considerable pressure, however once they got the ball down and began to play, the visitors were no match for Crediton, who just had that extra touch of quality to see them over the line. 

Dave Lee