BOTH Crediton Football Club Youth under 10’s sides, Cobras and Crocodiles, found themselves in the Exeter and District Youth League’s Plate competition. The qualifying round was held at Cullompton FC, with the winner of each group qualifying for the Plate Cup final to be played at Ladysmead, home of Tiverton Town.

The Crocodiles had a tough group, managing to come third playing against some very good sides who they had come up against earlier in the season.

The Cobras played in the other group and finished top of their group. With a draw against Broadclyst and a win against Twyford, their final game saw them face Heavitree, with both sides equal on points.

A hard fought game on a difficult pitch, saw Crediton come out 1-0 winners, with a goal from Toby Puddifoot. Crediton Youth Cobras had won the group and had qualified for the final.

On the finals days at Tiverton Town, Crediton Youth Cobras were due to kick-off at 10.30am with a large crowd present to watch the game.

All the finalists came out onto the field of play to the “Match of the Day” theme tune, prior to being introduced to the League chairman before the kick-off.

The Cobras were up against a very good Exmouth United side, who they had lost to 4-1, only a month earlier.

Once again the game was a hard fought battle, with the score 0-0 at half-time, and nothing between the two sides.

Half-way into the second half Crediton’s breakthrough came with a great move from the back started by Arlo Vaughn, and after a great one-two between Ben Harvey and Callum Lethbridge, culminating with Ben shooting and with Callum following in, the ball ended up in the back of the net. They are still not sure who got the final touch!

Most importantly Crediton were one-up, the players kept battling until the final whistle where after winning they all ended up celebrating in a pile of bodies in the middle of the pitch.

The boys who played - Logan, Toby, Josh, Arlo, Isaac, Ben, James, Callum and Soren - all showed great determination on the day and deserved their victory. The players parents gave the team fantastic support on the day.

This victory now gives the players of both the Cobras and Crocodiles squads so much encouragement going into next season, where they move to nine-a-side football.

Well done to all the boys involved with Crediton Under 10’s this season, and the management team of Steve Lethbridge, Adrian Harvey, Craig Wright and Jimmy Turner and good luck for next season.

Martin Daniel