SIDMOUTH TOWN 3 - CREDITON UNITED 2

CREDITON travelled across to East Devon on Saturday, September 16 to face Sidmouth Town in the first round of the Walter C Parson Cup.

Last term Crediton had an impressive run in this competition, making it to the quarter-finals and narrowly losing to eventual winners St Austell after conceding two late goals. They did however scoop the prize money for being the last team in it from their division.

Sidmouth have had a shaky start to the season after deciding to splash the cash this year, but so far have only managed to pick up two points in the league.

Trenaman decided to shuffle the pack as he turned his attention to the cup, prioritising the league and Devon Premier Cup as his two main objectives.

There was a new look back four, with young Partridge handed a start at left-back, Carpenter on the right and Khoo partnering Goss at centre-half. Yao was again handed a start up front with Ord after his important mid-week goal on debut against Exeter Uni.

Sidmouth started the game the better as Crediton could not settle on the tight Manstone pitch and the Vikings took the lead inside five minutes.

A long ball over the top set Knight free down the right, his cross was punched away by Law but only to the feet of Allen, who finished into an empty net with Law on the deck.

Sidmouth doubled their lead on 10, again getting in behind down the right, this time it was Allen who turned provider, crossing for Rowe to toe poke towards goal, with his effort looping up off of the outstretched leg of Carpenter and into the top corner.

Crediton were stunned as they simply had not got going, with the back four looking all over the place. Trenaman had seen enough and immediately changed shape to a 4-3-3, McCann dropped back in to full-back and Carpenter moved in alongside Lee and Bilcock in midfield.

The change seemed to have an impact as Crediton grew into the game, although they were still at sixes and sevens at the back.

Carpenter got Kirton on the score board in the 25th minute, after some neat build up play he picked the ball up 20 yards from goal and fired an inch perfect finish, across the ‘keeper and into the far corner.

This gave Crediton some confidence as they finally started to play some football.

However, just as you felt they were getting back into it the Vikings restored their two goal advantage. Another long ball over the top caused confusion in the defensive ranks, Law came rushing out but Knight got there first and nipped the ball past him, with Law taking him out right on the corner of the box.

Law escaped with a yellow card but from the resulting free kick he dropped the shot from Smalls and Knight tapped in. A moment to forget for the Kirton stopper.

Crediton were looking beleaguered as the heavens opened and the pitch turned to a bog, they simply couldn’t get their passing game going, clipping aimless balls forward towards Yao and Ord.

They went in 3-1 down at the break, having been outworked and out fought by their youthful opponents.

After a half-time grilling from Trenaman, Crediton came out a different team in the second 45 minutes.

Pike was introduced for Partridge who had a tough 45 minutes, with Lee moving to centre-half alongside Goss to try and shore up the rocky defence.

The changes seemed to galvanise Crediton who automatically looked stronger at the back, this allowed Morish, Carpenter and Bilcock to start dictating the game in midfield but they could not find that perfect final ball.

Crediton started to create chances with McCann and substitute Blake providing some inviting crosses from the wide areas. Carpenter went close with a long-range drive and Ord could not quite get the better of Clampin when it looked as though he was away on goal.

Bilcock then went close with a free kick before turning provider for Crediton’s best chance of the game. He floated a corner to the six-yard box where Goss was left unmarked. However, he leapt too soon and headed over when it looked easier to score, with the goal at his mercy.

Crediton continued to huff and puff but couldn’t get the better of the Sidmouth back four, with skipper Clampin having an excellent game organising his younger defensive comrades.

Bilcock then hung one up to the back post for Blake to attack, but his downward header was comfortably saved and the danger was cleared.

Crediton did set up a grandstand with five minutes to go. Ord marauded down the left and whipped a fine ball into the head of Bilcock, who scored the first header of his illustrious career with a neat finish into the top corner.

Sidmouth were on the ropes but time was running out for the visitors. Crediton piled forward in search of an equaliser but efforts from Morish and Ord failed to trouble the Sidmouth ‘keeper and they held on for their first win of the season.

In truth Crediton got what they deserved after a woeful first half performance, leaving it too late to get themselves back into it.

Trenaman will be disappointed with the first half showing as his side showed very little endeavour. They reacted better in the second half but gave themselves too much to do on a difficult saturated playing surface.

The focus must now return to the league, with a mid-week fixture away at Budleigh Salterton tomorrow, Wednesday, September 20, 7.30pm kick off.

This is followed by their second round FA Vase fixture, at home to Western League side Brislington on Saturday September, 23, 3pm kick off.

Dave Lee