CREDITON UNITED 1 - CULLOMPTON RANGERS 7

THIS South West Peninsula League East match between Crediton United and Cullompton was the biggest home defeat for a very long time as Crediton had no answer to the clinical football of rivals Cully.

Four goals down by half time after some less than efficient defending they slowly crept back into the game and played some good football in the second half, but ultimately they were undone time and time again by the men from Speeds Meadow who completed the double over their Mid Devon rivals in quick time.

Before the game the teams lined up and a minutes silence was observed after the sad death of Pat Sherriff, long time supporter of Crediton football and such a recognisable figure at the ground, always giving everyone a hearty welcome as she endeavoured to persuade us to part with our hard earned cash for the 50/50.

She will be long remembered by the Lords Meadow faithful.

Back to the football and after the opening exchanges where Cully lost their captain to injury, it was an uncharacteristic error from Kieran Knight that gave Rangers the lead as he astonishingly placed an innocuous cross from Zak Williams into his own net under no pressure from opposition strikers, 0-1.

Soon it was two as Lewis Hill was given time and space to easily slot the ball home past 16-year old keeper Zak Stephens from inside the area.

That was the last of the scoring till just before half time as firstly, Lloyd White made it three after 40 minutes 0-3 and then just before the half time snacks were dished out Lewis Hill scored his second after a superb through ball from Drew Sloan, 0-4.

This flurry of activity just before the break seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of Crediton.

Kenny Ord, who had a good first half did not return for the second and was replaced by Will Burwood.

Within a couple of minutes Lloyd White made it five after a Ben Scott effort had come back off the post and we were beginning to wonder if this could be a double figures, 0-5.

In the stand both I and staunch supporter Monica started looking at our watches and starting thinking about the final whistle and the second half was only five minutes old. Oh dear.

However Crediton seemed to at last get the bit between their teeth and substitutes Zak Khadaroo and Harry Warren definitely made a difference.

Chances were few and far between though and as the half continued it felt as though Cullompton had changed into a lower gear.

Soon however and against the run of play Cullompton made it six as Cameron Webb scored with a header after a fine run from Lewis Hill and although Harry Warren scored for the home side with probably the best goal of the day Cully still had time for a 7th as Lewis Hill completed his hat trick after a hopeful long ball from Harry Varnalls yet again caught Crediton defence napping.

It appeared that the midfield often pushed too far up from the central defenders leaving them unprepared for any long ball that came their way.

With the full backs regularly pushing up to give more impetus to the attack this often made for an unequal pairing as the Cullompton strikers outran and outthought the home side.

Hopefully this display is an one off because Crediton have played some good football this season and it’s good to see so many young players being given their chance.

Crediton team. Z Stephens, Woodman, Knight, Lee, Bond, Pike, L Stephens, Madge, Bond, Ord and Stapleton. Subs Khadaroo, Warren, Birwood, Rushton and Silly. Attendance 53.

Paul Whittall