Devon and Exeter League Premier
Exmouth Amateurs 3
Okehampton Argyle 2
OKEHAMPTON started poorly, conceding a goal in the sixth minute when they failed to clear from a corner. This seemed to wake them up as they began to control the game looking solid at the back and composed on the ball as they searched for an equaliser.
Okehampton suffered a further setback in the 25th minute when the Ammies scored against the run of play with a tremendous shot from 25 yards giving keeper Pengelly no chance.
This halted Okehampton temporarily but they soon assumed the ascendancy with some measured attacking play.
Disaster struck a minute before the break following a couple of Okehampton corners. Exmouth scored a third following a quick break.
A tactical switch at half-time by manager Peter Gross saw Okehampton change to a 3-4-3 formation with in-form striker Chris Drew replacing first team debutant John Smith.
The second period saw Okehampton with almost total domination. Skipper Stuart Cann reduced the arrears on the hour. Following a surging run from the back and a quick one two with Michael Vernon he fired a curling left foot shot in to the corner of the net from fully 30 yards.
Argyle continued to press but it was not until the 80th minute when they were rewarded again. Another Cann effort from almost the same place but this time with his right foot brought a fine save from the Exmouth keeper but he could not hold the shot and Mark Burdus capitalised from short range.
Despite tremendous pressure in the final ten minutes, Okehampton could not find the goal to earn them the deserved point as the Exmouth goalmouth led a charmed life with the penalty area resembling a pinball machine at times.
This week Okehampton meet Feniton at Simmons Park, kick-off 2.30pm.