STOKE GABRIEL 4-0 CREDITON UNITED

CREDITON returned with nothing from Stoke Gabriel on Saturday, August 9 after being distinctly second-best against an in-form Stoke side who sit comfortably on the top of the table.

This vastly experienced outfit were by far the better side in a what was a difficult pitch, almost brown in colour, making it tricky to get any degree of control on the ball.

Having said that, there were many encouraging signs for the young Crediton team. The return of captain Dave Lee and of the experienced Kevin Pike was good to see.

Also, the form of young striker Will Collins continued, and he had a goal narrowly chalked off for offside midway through the second half.

For any young side, it is inevitably going to take time to adjust to the pace of what is a strong league, and this is true for Crediton.

As early as the 25th minute, a long ball over the top caught Crediton, and Stoke opened the scoring in clinical fashion 1-0.

It was not long before central defender Steve 'Gossy' Goss was injured and had to go off, and Pikey went into the back four alongside Bradley Butterfield and played a good game throughout with his driving runs.

Time and time again, Stoke surged forward, and were it not for the agility of goalie Lewis Layton, the score would have been more than 1-0. He tipped one great effort against the post and showed clean handling.

It was all the home side and Crediton, apart from the odd moment, could not get out of their own half as Stoke Gabriel launched attack after attack.

However, just before half time, Crediton's resistance was broken as Stoke doubled their lead for 2-0 - and it could have been more.

The second half continued much like the first, with Will Collins ploughing a lone furrow up front.

Lukey White was prompting from midfield as the away tried to get a grip on the game, and Collins did have a goal disallowed midway through the half, but it was Stoke who were the most dangerous, looking like scoring almost every time they came forward.

On the hour, it was three as the home team found acres of space in the Crediton penalty area and a clinical finish ensued.

Ten minutes from time, it was four as Crediton's defence opened up.

Stoke, after putting six past Cullompton last week, sit on top of the table after only two games and already look a force to be reckoned with.

On Tuesday, we face the short trip to Okehampton Argyle which is always a feisty affair.

It would be great if we could raise our game and deliver three points rom this match, come on Creddy!

The Crediton team was Layton, Maynard, Goss, Lee, Butterfield, Pike, Littlejohns, Harris, Collins, White, Southcott, subs Lungu and Bragg. Man of the Match was Kevin Pike. Attendance 59.

Paul Whittall