Ivybridge Town 1 -  Crediton United 4

South West Peninsula League East

A SIMPLY wonderful performance from Crediton secured them second place in the league in South West Devon as they completely overwhelmed Ivybridge in what was probably their best all round performance of the season on Saturday, February 18. 

Erme Valley is not usually a happy hunting ground for Kirton, although last year we witnessed an amazing game which resulted in a 5-4 defeat. 

Alfie Down continued to deputise for injured Oakley Bennett and captain Aidan Whitfield was still absent. 

This particular honour fell to Max Gillard who is slotting in beautifully at the back. 

The undoubted star of the show was young Harvey Dorothy who scored a classic hat-trick - a superb volley, a strikers classic and a far post header were his party pieces as Crediton scored four. 

This was his second recent hat-trick after his all penalties success at Honiton a couple of weeks ago. 

The game started brightly and straightaway Crediton got into their passing game and their movement off the ball was sublime. 

After six minutes they took the lead as a flowing move that began with Kevin Pike and Ryan White found Harvey on the edge of the box and he executed the sweetest of finishes that flew into the top left corner leaving the keeper rooted to the spot. 0-1. 

Not long after it was two as a ball was swung in from a corner and centre-half Dre Johnson was the first to react and the ball was in the net for 0-2. The front three of Ryan White, Harvey and young Henry Woodward were working beautifully and the midfield was ticking over nicely, led by the sublime Adam Bilcock. 

It wasn't that Ivybridge were a pushover, they just could not get it together because Crediton were so dominant. 

It was 0-2 at half-time, but it could have been more. 

The feeling amongst the Crediton supporters at half-time was that they were well in command at this most difficult of grounds to gain a result. 

In the second period Ivybridge gradually came into the match but could not dominate. 

It was Crediton who ultimately took control and it was Harvey Dorothy who scored next. He picked the ball up, after a defensive error and clinically drove a shot into the far left corner and the game was effectively done and dusted. 0-3. 

Although Ivybridge did pull a goal back as a deflected shot was nearly kept out by the reliable Jack Arthur and it was 1-3. 

This did not deter Crediton and with Dan Preece constantly marauding up the left and putting the Ivys under pressure with his long throws it would not be long before more goals came. 

When the fourth did arrive it was Harvey again, as he rose to head home brilliantly after a pinpoint cross from the aforementioned Preece. 

This was Harvey's second recent hat-trick and what a fixture in the team he is becoming. 

Subs were made as Kieran Knight and Marcus Howe boosted midfield against a tiring home side and they game ended with Crediton on top. 

A good sized crowd was in attendance but it was the Crediton contingent who went home the happier. 

The journey back must have been a joyous one as to get a result down here is never easy. 

As Okehampton did not play it left Crediton one point behind them having played a game more. 

The Crediton lads are officially in a title race and it is wonderful to think that with only a handful of games left they are still firmly in contention. 

Crucially they still have to play Brixham home and away. 

As they have games in hand it is imperative they get a result when they play them. Come on Kirton.

Crediton team: Arthur, Pike, Preece, Bilcock, Johnson, Gillard, Down, Dorothy, White, Stapleton and Woodward. Subs: Howe, Knight and Chambers.

Man of the Match: Harvey Dorothy

Stop press: The results from the match on Saturday, February 25  take Crediton to the top of the South West Peninsula League after defeating Dartmouth United at Longcross by 0-2 with goals from Harvey Dorothy and Marcus Howe. 

Then the news came through that Okey had been held 1-1 at home by Axminster Town. 

When Crediton were top of the league at this time of year, cannot be remembered. How exciting for Ben and Jack and all connected with the club.

Paul Whittall