Devon & Exeter Premier

Okehampton 4

St Martin's 1

OKEHAMPTON continued their impressive run of recent weeks with this comfortable victory.

Graham Soby, 17, playing in his home debut for the first team, belied his years with an outstanding performance at sweeper and with Al Short and Kev Gill also on top of their game Argyle never really looked in trouble.

From this sound platform Okehampton were able to play some neat football. Movement from Ian Gill and Mortimer up front always caused problems for the visiting defence.

Argyle went ahead in the 17th minute when a ball over the top was latched on to by Gill outpacing the defence. He calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

The same player was to spurn a glorious chance 15 minutes later when he worked his way into a great position, only to blaze over the bar.

Okehampton did increase their lead in the 41st minute. Neil Agnew swung in a great corner from the right that was flicked on at the near post by Gill and during the ensuing scramble Mortimer prodded home. Seconds later and Argyle were three up when Mortimer anticipated a back pass to intercept and coolly round the onrushing keeper and score from the tightest of angles.

The second period continued in much the same vein with Argyle on the ascendancy. They could have gone further ahead following a great run from Neil Vernon but he delayed his shot and the chance was lost.

The fourth goal arrived on the hour. St Martin's failed to clear a corner and Al Short was on hand to score his first of the season.

Argyle then took their foot off the pedal and allowed St Martin's back into the game but they again met stern resistance from the Okehampton defence.

St Martin's scored a consolation goal following a scramble when the referee ignored the linesman on the goal-line to adjudge the ball had crossed the line.

The Saints had a chance to further close the gap when they were awarded a dubious penalty but their forward shot well wide.

So Argyle collected their tenth point from a possible 12 in their fight against relegation — on this sort of form they could certainly avoid the ignominy of that fate.

Team: R Bailey, A Short, K Gill, G Soby, N Pollard, N Vernon, N Drew, N Agnew, D Maddax, I Gill, A Mortimer. Subs:- M Vernon, S Williams, A Margrie, S Cann, C Drew.

This week sees Argyle travel to Feniton. Kick-off 3pm.