BISHOPS LYDEARD 1 - CREDITON UNITED 1

CREDITON United held on for a battling draw at Somerset rivals Bishops Lydeard on Saturday, August 10, and the result of the South West Peninsula League East match was undoubtedly a fair one.

I had not been able to get to the first two games of the season so it was good to be able to go to West Somerset and peruse a new ground.

Crediton returned to action after a wonderful 5-0 win at Torridgeside on Tuesday.

Bishops Darby Park is well appointed and has splendid views of the Quantocks.

It was heartwarming to see such a good turnout from Crediton, and all the usual favourites were in attendance, including new club chairman Rod Hawker.

There were a number of players missing and those who have moved on to pastures new such as young Shay Corrick and Joel Jackson.

There was also no Harry Warren or Sam Stapleton scorer of three goals already this season.

Long serving striker Kenny Ord was once again seen at centre forward and played a solid game throughout and seemed to forge a healthy partnership with Lukey White and Will Burwood.

Although Crediton dominated the early stages Bishops were content to offer the long ball down the slope for most of the first half and this at times exposed the Crediton defence.

However both long serving Dave Lee and new boy Oliver Saunders signed that very morning seemed to be holding up well until the 20th minute when a ball over the top found Joe Wilkinson who looked a mile offside but still managed to fire the ball past Ethan Chalk in the Crediton goal who had no chance, 1-0 to the home side.

Crediton continued to press and were playing their usual passing game. Kenny Ord held the ball up well and teed up Lukey White who hammered the ball into the top left and the scores were level, 1-1.

Then it was Jake Murphy who had a fine shot saved by the keeper as the away side continued to dominate.

They found a home goalie in great form and despite the number of efforts which came in he kept the Kirton at bay.

When the lads trooped in for the half time orange I would imagine they were please with their efforts.

The second half began with Crediton in the ascendancy but still nothing went past the Bishops number one.

Kenny had a great effort turned round the post and from the resultant corner Oliver Saunders had his header saved.

Then it was the turn of the Bishops as after a splendid move the ball rocketed against the bar and for a moment it looked as though the it might have crossed the one but no goal was awarded.

Soon Crediton made three substitutions as Kenny was replace by Leon Tootel and Perry and Woodward also put in an appearance.

The game began to get a little more scrappy and towards the end it was only due to the immaculate Ethan Chalk that the home side failed to score.  

Ethan played really well and at this point kept Crediton in the game and it was probably with some relief that when the game ended they had held on for a deserved draw.

Lots of encouragement for the away side as they seek to forge a new team capable of holding its own this year. Well done to the lads and to the management team. 

Team: Chalke, Saunders, Knight, Lee, Metherell, Stephens, Murphy, Bragg, Ord, White and Burwood. Subs: Woodmam, Perry and Tootel.

Man of the Match: Ethan Chalke.

Paul Whittall