Post by Dave on Sept 12, 2020 10:04:44 GMT
Match Officials Ashleigh Harris, Nick Stephens, Paul Rugman
Final Score Stoke Gabriel 0 Crediton United 13
Match Preview
This will be my first Premier East game from the South West Peninsula League this season and to be honest I do not know what to expect. I heard last weekend that there were a number of problems at Stoke Gabriel, but I was not told what they were. After getting home from the game I covered last week and checking up on local results, I was shocked to find out that Stoke had lost by fifteen goals to nil away to Torridgeside AFC.
I later found out that Stokes reserve team had pulled out of the South Devon league? and a number of those players had been drafted into the first team side that faced Torridgeside AFC, so the result may not be surprising after all. I well remember a number of seasons ago, the then manager of Stoke left the club at the start of a new season taking a number of players with him, a season Stoke struggled and suffered a number of heavy defeats.
The following season Stoke became a force to recon with and one can only hope they sort out any issues as soon as possible and become a competitive side again. Crediton also lost their opening game of the season at home to Iffracombe Town by two goals to nil and might well see today’s game as a really great chance to get their first win of the season.
On this day the 12th September 2015, I covered the Stoke Gabriel V St Austell match, a game Stoke lost at home by three goals to one. It was Stokes eighth game of the season; of the seven they had already played they had drawn two and lost five.
Link To That Report
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/524/swpl-stoke-gabriel-austell-september
Match Report
Before I get to the match itself, I just want to say a big well done to all of the Stoke players especially the younger ones who have stepped up to a league they are not ready for yet. You all work so hard, never let your heads drop and while on the end of another big defeat, did your club proud.
The pitch looked perfect in the afternoon sun and when I cast my eyes on the Crediton players warming up before the game, I thought they looked a very fit side with purpose and intent and knew this was going to a tough game for the Stoke players.
The match referee got the game underway and it was one way traffic for nearly the whole match, Stoke were unable to create one single chance in the whole game. Crediton were camped in the Stoke half winning corner after corner and a number of free kicks, it was not a case of if they would score, rather than when.
Stokes keeper Paul Thompson did well to block a goal bound shot with his legs, the ball went up in the air and Crediton’s Panashe Mwamuka was only able to head the ball over the crossbar. Crediton should have taken the lead when Will Hamill went past two Stoke defenders with ease, but was forced a bit wide of the goal by the keeper and his shot hit the side netting.
But he was soon able to make up for his miss after Stokes keeper kicked the ball to the halfway line. It was met by a very powerful header by James Eginton and the ball flew over the static Stoke defence into the run made by Will Hamill in behind them and he coolly picked his spot giving his side a well deserved lead.
The Stoke players were unable to keep hold of the ball when they did have it and lacked anyone upfront who could hold the ball up until others could join him. Crediton wasted a number of good chances to add further to their lead. Panashe Mwamuka hit a good low shot goal ward that was well saved and pushed away behind for a corner by Paul Thompson. He also took a free kick on the edge of the Stoke box but his effort flew over the crossbar.
The corner count kept mounting up, from one James Eginton headed over the bar and then came goal number two scored by Matt Pengelly who neatly flicked the ball over the Stoke keeper. Goal number three soon followed, a low cross in close to the Stoke goal line that Kieron Banbury tried to clear, but the ball spooned up of his boot into the back of his teams net.
Then came Crediton’s next goal, yet another corner taken from the left hand side, the ball somehow went over everyone’s head to the back post where Craig Skinner was able to hook the ball over the goal line. Will Hamill was clean in on goal again with only the Stoke keeper to beat, but his shot went over the crossbar.
Just before then end of the first half Crediton scored again, James Close went on a good run and played in Panashe Mwamuka who made no mistake putting the ball away. The referee blew up for the break with the score five goals to nil, but to be honest if Crediton had put all the chances they made away it could have been ten goals to nil.
The second half got underway and Crediton were clearly hungry for more goals, they attacked in waves and there was always four or five players in each attack, they were able to get past any Stoke defenders with ease and I knew I had a lot more to write in my notebook.
Goal number six soon came a great run and shot by Will Martin, Will Hamill from the restart went on a good run down the right hand side, played a good low ball into the Stoke box for Matt Pengelly to fire home. Goal number eight was from the penalty spot after Will Hamill was hacked down in the box by the Stoke keeper. Steve Goss took the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way.
Goal nine from yet another corner but where was the Stoke defence? Steve Goss did not even have to jump to head the ball home; he just stood there unchallenged and waited for the ball to hit his head. Goal ten came about as Stoke failed to clear a loose ball out of their box, it ran kindly to Will Hamill to fire home.
The last three goals all came very quickly, number eleven a corner that only reached the near post, my photo shows two Stoke defenders looking at their keeper and not the ball in from of them, needless to say it ended up in the back of the net thanks to Steve Goss. Goal twelve another corner not cleared fired home by Will Hamill. Goal thirteen a great run and finish by Kieran Knight.
I am sure the Stoke management is very aware they need to strengthen the side as soon as possible, if not they will become the whipping boys of this league. It was clear to talking to a few Stoke people today the problems will be sorted out and the club has ambitions both on and off the pitch.
A very enjoyable afternoon, I know I will cover another Stoke game sometime later in the season with a much different result.
