Bridport FC 6 Crediton United 3

South West Peninsula League Division East

IT is hard to know where to start with this one. 

Undoubtedly Crediton United FC were pitched against unbeaten Bridport who were always going to be a challenge, but it’s hard to explain what happened in the first half of this match, as the lads were completely outplayed and conceded some very questionable goals in the process. 

Time and time again Bridport surged forward and the Crediton defence simply had no answer. 

Although Mike Lilley came close to giving Kirton the lead it was as close as they got in the first half. 

In the ninth minute a corner from the left found the unmarked Fred Parsons and he sent a simple header past Ethan Chalke into the Crediton goal, (1-0). After 21 minutes it was two as Aidan Whitfield was caught in position and George Cleverley stroked the ball home, (2-0). 

Four minutes later a hopeful lob from Riley Weldon somehow managed to evade the Crediton keeper and the ball drifted into the left hand corner, (3-0). Lewis Wilson then was sent through one-on-one but was denied by the Bridport goalie. 

On the stroke of half-time it was four as Riley Weldon followed up a wonderful strike that hit the bar for 4-0. 

This was no more than the home side deserved and to be honest it could have been more as they hit the woodwork three times during the half. 

A decidedly gloomy 45 minutes for those of us that had made the trip from Mid Devon. 

On a brighter note however, it was clear that the front players constructed some fine moves and although the defence were having one of those days, heads did not go down.

The second half was a completely different affair as Shay Corrick came on for Sam Stapleton and played well throughout. 

Lewis Wilson was replaced by Kieran Knight who was also excellent. 

The talent of Harvey Dorothy is never in question and alongside Luke White the two combined to create problems for the home defence. 

Firstly Harvey sent in a low left foot shot that beat the keeper and rolled into the net, 4-1. 

Then the ball looped over the defence after a fine passing sequence and was brilliantly put away by Luke White who sent a crisp volley wide of the goalie, 4-2. 

Crediton were now back in it but sadly it was Bridport who extended their lead through Solomon Ayunga, (5-1).  

Still Crediton would not lie down and a brilliant solo effort from Harvey Dorothy culminated in a clinical drive making the score 5-3. 

Then in the final minute and after many substitutions Bridport scored again as Dave Lee slipped in the area and Riley Weldon skipped past him and completed the scoring, and took home the match ball in the process. 

The referee decided that that was enough and blew for full-time with the crowd feeling well satisfied with the afternoon’s entertainment. 

All-in-all it’s only three points but a lesson for this young Crediton side as a quite uncharacteristic defensive performance cost them. 

To score three away from home is quite an achievement and Bridport are a good side that should be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Crediton lie fifth which is a good place to be and if they continue with their watchable passing game, as I am sure they will, it should be a season to enjoy for the loyal supporters.

Crediton team: Chalke, Whitfield, Iseguan, Lee, Johnson, Bilcock, White, Dorothy, Wilson, Lilley and Stapleton. 

Subs: Corrick, Down, Knight and Radford.

Man of the match: Luke White.

Paul Whittall