CREDITON UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Peninsula League Division One East

AXMINISTER TOWN 1

CREDITON UNITED 1

CREDITON made the long trip to the impressive Tiger Way for a tricky mid-weeker against Axminster on Wednesday, September 28.

Crediton made a couple of changes from the previous triumph over Torridgeside, with Tonkin returning in goal and Snow coming in at full-back for the absent Khoo, who was off in search of aeroplanes at Center Parcs.

The stage looked set for an entertaining night of football with the immaculate zippy surface likely to suit both sides in front of a healthy crowd.

The first half started at a frantic pace and Axminster thought they should have had a penalty inside the opening two minutes after skipper Dave Lee handled from a corner but the referee spotted he was clearly pushed and waved away the protests.

The hosts continued to dominate the opening stages as Creddy struggled to get out of the blocks. Lively forward, Oscar, was put clean through on goal but slipped when trying to round Tonkin and the chance eluded him.

Creddy were forced into an early change as yet again, Morish pulled up with a muscular complaint, he still hasn’t learnt that you shouldn’t skip leg day at the gym!

The high tempo resulted in some late tackles and a couple of early bookings for both sides, this would prove vital as the game unfolded.

Axminster were reduced to 10 men after just 30 minutes as Ben Clay, already on a booking, stupidly kicked out at full-back, Skinner, after the ball had gone and he was sent for an early bath.

This gave Creddy a lift and they began to dominate possession without creating too many chances. A goal did arrive on the stroke of half-time, Lee winning an aerial battle with giant centre-half Duchensky, flicking the ball through to Durrant in the left-hand channel, he crossed to the far post to Stone, who looked to have a clear strike at goal, but unselfishly rolled the ball back to Blake who found the bottom corner.

This was just what the away side needed after a tough opening 45 minutes.

With the home side down to 10 and trailing the second half should have been a case of keep the ball and tire them out for Creddy, but this was not to be the case.

Just three minutes into the second half disaster struck, a moment to forget for centre-half Lee Riggs, who passed the ball straight to Tiger’s midfielder Warren 30 yards from goal, he drove forward and fired a shot from the edge of the box which deflected off the same man and past the helpless Tonkin between the sticks.

Probably nothing less than Axe deserved on the balance of play. The remainder of the half was a cagey affair with the home side defending deep with two solid banks of four which Kirton struggled to break down.

They did create a couple of glorious chances, Lee heading just over from a corner and Blake firing narrowly wide from a tight angle.

The best chance fell to Durrant who hit a post late on.

A poor performance from Creddy, who never really got going, which meant it was more of a point gained, rather than two points dropped, despite the hosts playing for nearly an hour with 10 men.

This result sent Creddy four points clear at the top of the table.

Dave Lee