HONITON TOWN 1 - CREDITON UNITED 4

CREDITON travelled to Honiton in search of their fifth win on the bounce and one that would take them level on points with Newton Spurs, at the top of the table.

Honiton were in good form themselves coming into the game, after a tough start to the season which saw them battling it out at the wrong end of the table.

It seemed as though several of the Kirton players were still away on international duty, with no fewer than seven players missing.

This meant recalls to the squad for youngsters Snow and Partridge who occupied a youthful bench along with Townsend.

It was the home side who started the game brightest, Freemantle was causing Pryce, who looked like he was still at Oktoberfest, all sorts of problems down the left.

Waring was called into action early doors, saving smartly down to his left, then shortly afterwards tipping a Thompson effort wide.

Honiton were sitting deep and adopted a fairly direct style, with Ede sitting deep in midfield and dropping balls over the top, looking to exploit the Crediton back four.

McCann and Pryce were struggling to deal with the movement of the Hippos wide men and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 25 minutes.

A ball over the top from Long wasn’t dealt with by Trenaman, as he called for Waring to come and clear the situation, but the Crediton ‘keeper was too slow off of his line and Freemantle nipped in, knocking the ball past Waring, which left him with a simple task of walking the ball into an empty net.

Crediton were struggling to get their passing game going and it was Honiton who were executing their game plan.

When Crediton did finally put some passes together they created their first real opening, Ord received the ball from Lee and slid Yao in on goal, but his effort was well-saved by Casey.

Then it was Honiton who threatened once again, Long going close with a long-range drive and Waring tipping a free kick from Ede around the post.

Just before half-time, Crediton went close to grabbing an equaliser through Ord, who hit the post with an effort from a tight angle.

Moments later Durrant curled a long-range attempt narrowly past the far upright, after some good build up play down the left between himself, Blake and Bilcock.

Honiton came flying out of the traps in the second 45 and put Crediton under a lot of pressure with a succession of corners.

Issacs hit the bar with a header, before Hancock rattled the bar with a volley from 18 yards after some pinball in the box. Credi were on the ropes and owed a lot to Waring who made a couple of top saves, notably from Ashford and Ede.

Crediton managed to ride the storm and started to dominate proceedings, Lee was breaking up play, allowing Bilcock and Durrant to dictate the game more in midfield.

Yao was causing all sorts of problems down the Crediton right, turning Clay inside and out at every opportunity.

Crediton drew level on 55 minutes, Durrant and Blake combined well before the latter sliced an effort across goal straight into the path of Ord, who made no mistake from 10 yards. This seemed to spark Crediton into life as they turned on the style.

On 65 minutes Crediton took the lead, a Bilcock free kick was turned goalwards by Ord, Casey saved but could only palm out to Goss, who met the ball with a diving header and diverted it into the open goal.

Crediton made it three on 70 minutes, this time it was an error from Casey, who came to punch a Bilcock corner, completely missing the ball, which resulted in a ricochet off of the unfortunate defender, Ashford, and into the net. It looked like game over at this point as Crediton were firmly on top.

Trenaman rang the changes, as Snow replaced the bewildered Pryce who had a bit of an off day, potentially regretting his night at Oktoberfest.

This was shortly followed by the introduction of Townsend for Yao and Partridge for Blake, as the youngsters were given a chance to impress.

Bilcock nearly made it four with an outrageous effort from a quick free kick out on the touch line, unfortunately for him the ball hit the inside of the upright and bounced along the line, with Casey rooted to his spot.

Honiton went close again with another one of their dangerous set pieces, Perryman delivering for Ashford, who forced another good save from Waring as the clock ticked on.

In injury time Crediton added some gloss to the scoreline with the young substitutes combining. Townsend broke down the right and delivered a cross with plenty of length over the Hippos defence, to the far post, where Partridge arrived late into the box to steer a volley past Casey.

A great finish from a tight angle.

The referee blew his whistle and it was Crediton who ran out 4-1 winners, but it could have been very different if Honiton had converted their early chances in the second half.

It was a spirited display from Kirton after a poor opening 60 minutes or so, they rode their luck at times but in the end their quality shone through.

Another step in the right direction, showing they can win when not at their best, with this result taking them back to joint top of the table.

Next up for Crediton is their huge FA Vase game, away at Brockenhurst on Saturday, October 21, 3pm kick-off. This is a massive game for the club, who have never reached the first round proper.

There will be a players and supporters coach on the day, leaving Lords Meadow at 9.30am and returning to the club by 10pm.

Tickets are £10 per person and it would be great to see as many faces there as possible, with a great day out sure to be had by all.

So please feel free to come along and support the club, with a lovely day trip to the New Forest.

Contact Steve Grinney on 07887 888 792 or via the club website to confirm your attendance.

Dave Lee