Sidmouth Town 0 - Crediton United 2

South West Peninsula League East

A TRIP to Sidmouth under the Manstone lights for the Crediton faithful last Tuesday saw three points for the lads to take home after a close encounter with the Vikings on a chilly autumn evening. 

After the euphoria of last week's win over Exeter City and a draw at Newton Abbot Spurs, Crediton were keen to get back on the winning track and they did. 

It was a debut for young defender Louis Morrison who was impressive throughout. This was a match of very contrasting styles with Crediton once more exhibiting their slick and patient passing style. 

Sidmouth on the other hand are a big side full of graft and endeavour, but not quite so delightful on the eye. 

It was Crediton who started the stronger and Nelson Iseguan sent in a fierce shot that was well saved by the home goalie. 

Then it was Harvey Dorothy’s turn to come close after a fine run and shot that was once again saved. 

A minute later Harvey was through again and this time his goal bound shot just sneaked past the left hand stick. 

Although Sidmouth huffed and sometimes puffed the chances mainly fell to the Kirton and on the half-hour the incident that had a major impression on the game happened. 

It appeared that a Sidmouth player was over the top with his challenge on Aidan Whitfield and much to the fury of the home crowd the referee sent off the lad and the Vikings were down to 10 for the remainder of the evening. 

A few hefty challenges ensued and it was probably timely when the half-time whistle went. 

Kevin Pike had to go off just before the break and this meant that Shay Corrick came on and Nelson ended up at left back which was a shame because he was proving a serious attacking threat. 

However the Crediton contingent need not have worried as in the main the Kirton were on the front foot and time after time took the game to their opponents. 

Repeatedly Aidan Whitfield, in particular, surged into the area as an attacking force and Sidmouth were starting to be stretched. 

With Harvey Dorothy and Luke White proving what a strike force they are becoming, surely it was only a matter of time before the goal came. 

In the 68th minute it duly arrived and it was the familiar source of Harvey Dorothy from whom it arrived. 

Picking up the ball on the right of the penalty area Harvey sent a fierce shot over the keeper and it went in off the post to open the scoring. 

Was it a cross or a shot? Only he knows, but anyway it was 0-1 to the Kirton. A minute later, and with Sidmouth caught napping a ball over the top was expertly lobbed over the goalie by Luke White making the score 0-2. 

Scoring twice in a minute took the wind out of Sidmouth’s sails and for the remainder of the game the Crediton lads largely controlled the game with some patient keep ball, holding out for the three points in the process. 

Well done to the lads and Crediton’s superb management team.

Crediton team: Arthur, Whitfield, Iseguan, Lee, Johnson, Morrison, White, Dorothy, Bilcock, Stapleton and Pike. 

Subs: Corrick, Down and Wilson.

Man of the match: Louis Morrison.

Paul Whittall