NEWTON Abbot Spurs put in a first-half performance to remember on their way to a Walter C Parson League Cup victory over Crediton United.

They went flying out of the blocks at The Rec and were ahead after just a few minutes, Toby Pullman wrong-footing the Crediton keeper with his header from Owen Raven’s floating free-kick.

Talking of Pullman and he donned the armband on the day in the absence of Lewis Breslan with Tyler Joint another key player missing for Connor Marshall.

There were also a couple of relatively new faces as well though, as Marshall explained: “We’ve had a few injuries and also, we’ve looked into the market.”

He went on to label one of them, the aforementioned Raven, as “a great player”, noting that as well as new signings, some “from the reserves have deserved the step up.”

“Ben Clarke and Ross Beer, they’ve played in the reserves, we’ve given them a chance and that’s what we’re trying to do, give them a pathway and they’ve been phenomenal.”

One very nearly become two just minutes after with Owen Green forcing Creddy number one Lewis Layton into a save from a one-on-one.

This would become a regular theme of the afternoon, Layton regularly excelling and even earning the praise of the opposition’s manager.

“Their keeper was absolutely outstanding, without him, god knows what the score would have been.”

A triple-save to deny Kai Swann twice and then Raven was perhaps the pick of the bunch and Swann couldn’t have been more than a shoe-size away from poking home an inviting Pullman delivery minutes later.

The pressure from the hosts eventually paid off though and they had a second, Owen Green turning down the chance to pass to Pullman and instead curling a sumptuous effort home, the ball hitting the underside of the bar on its way in.

Spurs continued to impress in the opening 45 minutes, putting together one of the most complete performances you’ll see from any side all season.

When play resumed after the break, a response from the visitors arrived against the run of play, Isaac Littlejohns halving the deficit in a rare Crediton foray forward.

Tensions rose at The Rec, albeit briefly, Marshall commenting: “I was frustrated and they knew I was as well but they sorted it perfectly and we got the result we deserved, so I’m happy now.”

Substitute Chris Harvey restored Spurs’ two-goal cushion in this cup clash, bounding on to Mason Dolman’s through ball and calmly slotting home.

It didn’t take long for them to truly put the game beyond any reasonable doubt, Finn Pearse heading home a corner from just a few yards out and then roaring in celebration.

From this point, Spurs were happy to coast home on their way to a hugely deserved victory.

Marshall mused that his side “were superb on the ball”, adding that “We wanted it straight from the off, we were hungry.”

This was evident to all in attendance and the reward for Spurs is a third-round draw away at struggling Peninsula League West side St Day AFC, scheduled for Saturday, November 22.

In the meantime, Spurs will aim for revenge against local rivals Bovey Tracey AFC on Tuesday evening when they visit the Western Counties Roofing Ground.

Whilst Spurs are looking strong in third, the Moorlanders are currently second in the table and they won 2-0 at The Rec back in mid-August.

Marshall and co then get the weekend off following their exit from the FA Vase.