WINKLEIGH FC got off to a confident start on Saturday, July 17 with a match against Crediton Seconds.

On the hottest day of the year, it was a credit to have 18 players in the squad to keep things fresh with everyone getting a minimum of 45 minutes.

With a good mixture of youth and experienced heads, it was Winkleigh that started strongest when Adam Bullen looped a beautiful ball at the back post for Freddy Finch to volley home a shot to make the score 1-0.

The game had some great moments but under the extremely hot conditions the intensity was killed at times.

It was on the stroke of their first “Rehydration Break” that Winkleigh’s new trialist Adam Leat cleared his lines with a big old fashioned classic centre back kick that enabled captain Robin Knight to latch on to and send the keeper the wrong way to make the score line 2-0. Changes were made after the first break and the game balanced out after that until half-time.

Winkleigh’s pace dipped for the first period of the second half and Crediton took advantage with a goal back to make it 2-1.

Colin Wall, the new coach, showcased his managerial skills and changed things, altering the formation. Winkleigh soon took control of the game again and it was an excellent goal that completed the scoring for the day in which Freddy Finch scored his second to make it 3-1.

The game was rounded off when the new boy in the village, Leo Vincent made his first appearance, helping to increase the strength of the Winkleigh side.

The strength sapping heat nearly caused Winkleigh to concede another goal, however the 3-1 score line remained the same until the last whistle.

A special “shout-out” to the youngsters that played  – Freddy Finch, Ciaran Nicks and Kieran Stapleton all had brilliant games. These youngsters were fully involved in the game as were the seasoned players. This is only Winkleigh’s first game but already there is a feeling of great confidence about the forthcoming season.

Tom Robinson