South West Peninsula League East

Cullompton Rangers 1 - Crediton United 3

TWO late goals from the remarkable Harvey Dorothy was what decided this gripping encounter at Speeds Meadow on Wednesday night (August 30). There was a healthy turn out for this derby match and the game had the bracing atmosphere of old rivalry. 

After the terrific win over Liskeard in the FA Vase on Saturday, Crediton immediately declared themselves ready for this encounter and began their usual passing game.  

There was no Dave Lee at the back and so Kevin Pike was in central defence and he performed brilliantly alongside Dre Johnson. 

With Adam Bilcock and Mike Lilley dominating midfield Crediton were soon in their stride. 

The front players created good chances and Harvey Dorothy and Lewis Wilson both went close to opening the scoring. 

Harvey in particular looked lively, linking up with Sam Stapleton who had a more roving position. 

However halfway through the first half it was Cullompton who opened the scoring as from a corner from the left an unmarked player headed the ball into Ethan Chalkes goal (1-0). 

It didn’t take long however for Crediton to equalise when, after sharp work on the right, the ball fell to the excellent Mike Lilley on the edge of the penalty area and his crisp right foot shot gave the goalie no chance equalising at 1-1. 

It was Mike’s first goal for the club and a real corker to start with. 

As the teams trooped off for the half-time pineapple you had the feeling that whatever Ben and Jack said to the lads that there would be more to come in the second half.  

This was indeed true as after what was quite an even first half the second was completely dominated by the away side. 

Time-after-time they surged forward as Adam Bilcock drove them on with some sublime passing and the front three were looking lively as chance-after-chance came. 

It was a case of being patient and continuing the good work. 

The game entered the last 10 minutes still level and you felt that Cullompton were hanging on desperately for a point. 

But, with a player of the calibre of Harvey Dorothy in your side you have a chance of nicking a winner and that was what happened. 

A hopeful ball from midfield found Harvey in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he took the ball round him brilliantly and smashed in a super strike to give Crediton the lead at 1-2. 

Two minutes later he was through again.

Picking up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area and with the keeper advancing, he calmly slotted the ball home and turned to greet his delighted team mates taking the score to 1-3. 

This was no more than Crediton deserved and although the referee played a questionable amount of injury time, the whistle eventually was blown and Crediton had the three points in the bag. 

This all stood them in good stead for the visit of Bishops Lydeard on Saturday, September 2 when Crediton won 5-0.

Well done lads. 

Crediton players: Chalk, Whitfield, Knight, Bilcock, Johnson, Lilley, Pike, Dorothy, Wilson, Iseguan and Stapleton.  Subs: White, Hale, Stephens and Corrick.

Man of the match: Harvey Dorothy.

Paul Whittall