Crediton United 1 Newton Abbot Spurs 5

THIS was a difficult fixture for Crediton against a very good side who on this form and with their games in hand could still make an impression on the outcome of the championship this year.

Right from the off, Spurs showed great hunger to avenge the cup defeat that was inflicted by the home side only a couple of weeks ago.

In the first half, the visitors pursued every loose ball and attacked with such vision that they overwhelmed Crediton.

There were changes in formation as Crediton played with three at the back, meaning that Louis Stephens played on the right, releasing Kevin Pike to forage away on the right hand side of midfield.

This did mean, however, that Aidan Whitfield and Kieran Knight were often stretched at the back.

The first half went by in a flash and, much to the dismay of the home supporters, it was Newton who completely dominated.

It felt like men against boys as time after time the attacking play of the away team led to goal after goal.

They were two up after 15 minutes and three after only half an hour.

In all, there were four different scorers and it was all reminiscent of the Cullompton game a few weeks earlier when they scored seven at the Meadow.

The goalscorers were Owen Green, Toby Pullman, Jayden Bond, Tom Lobb and Tyler Joint.

When a fourth goal was added just before half time, this game was over as a contest and heads were down as the teams trudged off for the half time oranges.

The second half began the way the first had ended as Spurs added to their lead with a scruffy goal with the Crediton defence looked utterly shell-shocked.

To have conceded so early in the second half was a bitter pill, and with the home side losing 0-5 they did begin to claw their way back into the game.

Both sides made many substitutions and this gave the remainder of the match a disjointed feel.

Neither side in truth looked like they would add to their tally and things seemed to be going through the motions.

I think the home side lacks Kenny Ord up front and also the enthusiastic Will Burwood, but I am sure there is a good reason they are not in the starting eleven at the moment.

The defence looked stretched on many occasions as Spurs’ quick possession game left the home side in tatters, particularly in the first half.

In the final minute, Alex Bond scored a consolation goal for Crediton with a fine volley but in the end the night belonged to Newton Abbot Spurs who continued their surge up the table.

The Crediton team was Chalk, Stephens, Knight, Lee, Whitfield, Pike, Warren, White, Silly, Bond and Stapleton. The substitutes were Metherell, Tottell, Ord and Burwood.

The man of the match was Louis Stephens.

Paul Whittall