Tuesday 7 August 2018

My Chemical Romance

Crediton United  0  Tiverton Town  6

Friendly

It was while stood in the queue at the chemical toilet disposal point that I began to think about my very purpose in life.

I’m no existentialist, but, there is something quite endearing about a gaggle of men carrying their plastic boxes and waiting patiently to head behind closed doors to empty the previous days waste into a large basin. Very few words are said, and crikey, so many could be in jest, but decorum remains and like faithful servants of the great God of the Caravan Community, we go about our tasks and trudge back, knowing that we’ll be doing the same thing at the same time, the following day.

It was while in the longer than usual queue on the Monday that I began to ponder the day ahead, and of course the evening’s football fayre at nearby Crediton United. Life is relatively simple, I like it that way, work hard, make sure the family are safe and get the best I can give them, while aside from that, I only really have one interest and that’s travelling to different football matches and taking advantage of the amber nectar opportunities as and when they present themselves.

Devon At It's Finest
So, from a planning point of view, we had a full day ahead. First of all it was to be a drive onto a misty and damp Dartmoor, before then dropping into Princetown and having a look around the superb Dartmoor Prison Museum. Thereafter it was a short drive to the beautiful little town of Tavistock for some lunch, and then on the way back visit a garden so Mrs H could enjoy one of her passions. The Hatt’s would be looked after, fed, watered and returned to base camp safely, and then I could go about my business safe in the knowledge that all was indeed good in the World.

The original plan was to go to watch nearby Teignmouth but that game got moved to the following evening and also switched to their opponents ground, but not to worry, just the other side of Exeter, a mere nineteen miles away, former Western League outfit Crediton United were taking on neighbouring Southern League side Tiverton Town.

Scenes
Crediton are now a Step 7 side plying their trade in the Eastern Division of the South West Peninsula League, but it hasn’t always been the case. For an eight year period in the Nineties they were indeed a Western League side, with a best finish of eleventh in the Premier Division. But in 1998 they dropped into the Devon County League where they remained and indeed struggled overall until becoming founder members of their current league in 2007, where they have remained.

Life has had its ups and downs since, but I can’t help feeling that a town the size of Crediton, with the facilities they have, which I’ll come onto in a moment, should be at least playing at Step 6, if not higher?

Tucked Away In The Trees
I didn’t arrive at the ground until a few minutes before kick-off, and parking wasn’t easy. The ground is located in an industrial estate on the outskirts of the town, and forms part of a larger sports complex and leisure centre. Known as Lords Meadow, the football ground is a real gem.

You enter alongside some smaller sized football courts and once through the gate to your right is the tea bar, a hospitality area and the dressing rooms, while to the left is an area of covered terrace, with a separate seated stand next to it. On the opposite side of the ground is some additional cover, while the ground itself is lined with trees on three sides, and of course it’s floodlit. It’s a cracker and you’ll not find many better at Step 7, I’m certain of that.

Buildings
On the field, the hosts put up a good fight but were ultimately undone by a strong Tiverton side who had plenty of potency in front of goal. Jordan Rogers netted a hat-trick, while goals from Ben Mammola, Josh Key and Harry Evans saw them win 6-0. Five of the goals came in the second period as Crediton tired, but no shame in the performance, they look to have a side that might just be able to challenge for something this time around.

A decent sized crowd watched the game, while Crediton did look to be blessed with a decent number of helpers and officials which is clearly vitally important in the lower reaches of the non-league game.

In The Middle Of An Industrial Estate?
A thoroughly enjoyable evening at a fantastic venue, and a very friendly club to go with it. Should the opportunity arise then I’ll happily tell all of my fellow chemical brothers in the queue that a trip is highly recommended should they get the opportunity. That’s one way to break the awkward silence…….

Great Facilities At Lords Meadow


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