CREDITON UNITED 0 - SIDMOUTH TOWN 2

SOUTH West Peninsular League East leaders Sidmouth defeated Crediton United FC at Lords Meadow in the first game of the year and probably deserved it as Crediton did everything they could to break down the men from Manstone without success.

It was not plain sailing however and with a bit of luck the home side could have got more out of the game than they did.

After the win over Okehampton on Boxing Day there was a degree of optimism at the Meadow as the teams took the field.

There was nothing between the teams in the opening exchanges although it was clear that Sidmouth looked the stronger physically and went about their business in firm fashion.

However, after 20 minutes, disaster struck as the usually reliable Ethan Chalk in the Crediton goal cleared the ball straight to a Viking striker who crashed the ball against the post and with the defence nowhere the ball fell to Oscar Walsh who scored from five yards out.

This was very unfortunate for the home side and although Lukey White went close the half meandered on with no clear goal scoring chances.

The second half was to a large extent a stalemate.

Ethan made a goal saving save early in the half and although a long range shot from Kieran Knight was on target it did not trouble the Sidmouth keeper unduly.

The game looked like it was going to be settled by the early goal until the 89th minute when an unbelievable error by the linesman who flagged incorrectly for offside prevented Sidmouth from adding a second goal.

They did manage a breakaway second goal shortly afterwards through Louis Jagger Cane as the Crediton lads pushed forward and the game came to an end, the score of 0-2 was probably about right.

Just to add that the referee and former Crediton player John Veale had an excellent game as the man in charge.

Hopefully this was be a temporary blip for the lads as they travel to bottom of the table and struggling Axminster this weekend.

Crediton team: Chalk, Davey, Knight, Lee, Perry, Pike, Burwood, Bond, Ord, Pike and Stapleton. Subs: Wooman, Dorothy and Bragg.

Man of the Match: Kieran Knight. Attendance 101.

Paul Whittle