Walter Parson Cup - Quarter Final

ST AUSTELL 3 - CREDITON 2

CREDITON made the long trip to St Austell for a WCP Cup quarter final clash, against one of the top sides from the Peninsula Premier League, however they arrived with confidence after defeating the league leaders, Tavistock, from the same division in the previous round.

On a blustery Saturday afternoon Crediton arrived with a thin squad, with several absentees, including, Khoo, McCann, Stone, Groom, Bradford, Ord, Robbins, Woodward and Snow.

Trenaman reverted to his more accustomed 4-3-3 formation, with a welcomed return for Ben Pike at right back. Cup ‘keeper Waring was back in the sticks and Durrant led a three pronged attack, following three months on the sidelines with a knee problem, although it looked like he’d never been away!

Crediton got off to the worst possible start as the hosts came flying out of the blocks. Inside two minutes they were behind, as the ball was recycled from a free kick. Evans managed to lose Durrant at the far stick and head beyond Waring to give St Austell the lead.

The opening 10 minutes was all one-way traffic, as it was beginning to look ominous for Crediton who were on the ropes.

Waring made a good save from Eddy and then Brokenshire hit the bar with a belting effort from distance. Giles managed to lose his marker at the far post but could only fire over with the goal gaping.

Trenaman had seen enough and felt the need for change as the lilywhites were packing the midfield with an unorthodox diamond formation.

Carpenter shifted to the right and Morish dropped deeper into a left midfield role, as Crediton looked to exploit the wider areas.

The change seemed to work wonders and the momentum swung Crediton’s way. Morish had the beating of his opponent and was causing havoc down the left, with Durrant and Blake looking increasingly dangerous as a striking partnership, with fans suggesting they had many similarities to Sheringham and Solskjaer!

After 25 minutes Crediton were deservedly level, Morish and Durrant combined down the left and the ball looped to the far post, where Blake was on-hand to head home into an empty net.

A great response from Crediton after a terrible start. The chances continued to arrive as Bilcock nearly put the visitors ahead, but his goal-bound effort was excellently blocked by Watts.

Durrant and Morish both had efforts from distance but goalkeeper Chapman was equal to them.

Just before half-time, Lee found himself in space on the edge of the box, but instead of shooting, slid the ball through to Blake who looked certain to score. However just as he went to pull the trigger an untimely bobble appeared and the ball came off his shin and ballooned over the bar.

The sides went in level after an entertaining 45 minutes, which included several chances for both sides and some excellent defending, the Crediton back four in particular deserving a lot of credit for keeping two of the Premier Division’s top scorers extremely quiet.

The second half saw a more even affair throughout, however Crediton will feel they had the better of the chances.

Goss and Riggs were continuing to dominate Eddy and Goldsworthy, with Skinner and Pike getting a lot of the ball in the full-back areas.

On 60 minutes a Bilcock corner found Riggs, who headed agonisingly over the bar from five yards. Bilcock then had an effort deflected onto the post, after some excellent combination play down the left.

Eddy and Evans were shooting on sight for the hosts but had a number of efforts from distance fly off target.

Morish had his opposing full-back on toast and was beating him at will, therefore it was no surprise that all Crediton’s play was down the left.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes it looked like extra time was looming, however, Crediton had other ideas.

On 83 minutes Bilcock found himself in a great position in the left-hand channel, where he looped a left-footed cross to the far post towards Blake, who was again unmarked. This time he still had a lot of work to do, but the in-form marksman headed brilliantly back across goal, into the far corner, for what looked like the winner.

The lead did not last long though, as on 86 minutes St Austell were level. Carpenter put in a firm tackle on Reski just outside the box and although he got the ball, the referee felt it was dangerous and awarded the free kick.

Reski got to his feet and whipped in an un-defendable cross, which took a nick along the way and flew into the far corner.

The lilywhites tails were up and after pushing three up front, the Crediton defence dropped deeper and deeper.

In the 91st minute disaster struck. A long ball forward was not dealt with and Skinner half cleared to substitute Prynn, after some pinball on the edge of the box. His shot bobbled through a crowd of players and agonisingly into the far corner to snatch the victory.

A dramatic end to a superb game of football which kept the fans entertained throughout. Late heartbreak for Crediton, who deserved more after a terrific performance.

Some outstanding performances both individually and collectively, which proves that the side will be more than comfortable in the Premier Division if they can achieve their goal of promotion this season.

Crediton have shown they can mix it with the big boys after defeating Tavvy in the previous round and pushing St Austell to the limit in this game.

Now the focus must return to the league, with a must-win away fixture at struggling Liverton, on Saturday, March 4.

Dave Lee