BUDLEIGH SALTERTON 3 - CREDITON UNITED 1

CREDITON made another journey across the peninsula to East Devon on Tuesday, September 19. This time it was a trip to in-form Budleigh Salterton, for a mid-week clash under the floodlights.

After the previous weekend’s defeat to Sidmouth, Crediton were looking to get back to winning ways and had a chance to go level on points with Newton Abbot at the top of the table.

This was always going to be a difficult night due to major unavailability, with no less than seven players missing.

Goss, Khoo, McCann and Durrant were all on holiday, with Law and Skinner out injured and Morish only able to get there for a late substitute appearance.

Trenaman was also handed another blow just before the game as Groom pulled out due to work commitments which left the squad extremely light on defenders.

There was a completely new look back line, with Trenaman forced to start himself at centre-half alongside Lee, with Broome coming in at left-back and Pike on the right.

Bradford came out of retirement once again and was thrown straight into the mix in midfield. There was also a start for Newton St Cyres winger Snow, who helped out on several occasions last season.

It was a wet and windy evening with Lee winning the toss and opting to go with the wind in the first 45 minutes to try and gain an early advantage.

It was Crediton who started the brightest of the two sides, playing some good football without ever looking threatening in the final third.

Bilcock and Carpenter were seeing a lot of the ball but could not quite unlock the Budleigh defence, which was patrolled by veteran centre-half Kev Hill, Torquay United’s top all-time appearance maker.

The front three were having difficulty making it stick as the ball was often likened to a “hot potato”, with both sides relinquishing possession far too easily.

Crediton’s back four looked solid from the outset, with Lee given the job of organising. Broome put in a couple of his customary crunching tackles and Trenaman was winning the majority of aerial battles, giving the visitors a good base to work from.

Chances were few and far between in the first 45 minutes, with Crediton going closest through Ord from a Blake cross and Budleigh testing Waring with a couple of efforts from range, through the dangerous Denny.

Carpenter and Bilcock both fired over with long range attempts and then Budleigh had the chance to take the lead slightly against the run of play.

A corner was half cleared, but was recycled by the home side, with Hill finding himself one-on-one in the right hand channel. Waring came rushing out but the experienced centre-half knocked the ball past him and left a leg in, which Waring clattered into, giving the referee an easy decision in pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Denny, who sent Waring the wrong way and gave the Robins the lead.

The lead didn’t last long though as Crediton drew level on the stroke of half-time. Bilcock floated a corner to the far post where Trenaman rose highest to head past Tillet in the Budleigh goal.

That was literally the last touch of a tentative opening 45 minutes, as the ref blew his whistle and the sides went in all square at the break.

The second 45 minutes offered little action as both goalkeepers were relatively quiet. Waring was struggling to kick into a strong headwind which meant Crediton were under pressure for long periods of the half. Both sides were struggling to create chances and a draw looked on the cards.

However, in the 75th minute Crediton hit the self destruct button. Broome was put under pressure on the half-way line by three Budleigh players and he lost the ball giving the home side an opportunity to break.

Denny rode the challenge of Pike and they were in two against one, he squared to Wilkinson who tapped into an empty net.

Crediton then pressed for an equaliser as the clock ticked on, Ord delivered a fine cross which broke to Bradford 12 yards out, but unfortunately he couldn’t keep his effort down and the ball flew over the crossbar.

Bradford then put another delivery into a dangerous area which Hill completely missed, however the Crediton forwards were on their heels and the chance came and went.

Budleigh sealed the game in the 85th minute. Pike, seemingly under no pressure whatsoever, passed the ball straight to Wilkinson who was in on goal, he squared to his teammate Gibbings to tap home, putting the game beyond reach for the visitors.

A disappointing display from Crediton, who looked the better side for periods of the game, however three individual mistakes cost them dear and it was Budleigh who capitalised to claim the victory in a scrappy affair.

Next up for Crediton is a home match against Appledore, tomorrow, Tuesday, September 26 with a 7.30pm kick off.

This is followed by a tough trip to in-form St Martins on Saturday, September 30 - 3pm kick off.

Dave Lee