Devon & Exeter Premier

Exeter University 3

Okehampton Argyle 2

ARGYLE travelled to play the title favourites after the Simmons Park pitch was deemed unplayable — and almost pulled off a major shock.

Playing on a smaller pitch than they are used to, Argyle took the game to the students. Every player seemed up for the game, especially K Gill and M Vernon, who kept the students' prolific attack very quiet.

Mortimer and Maddax had their best game for weeks, never allowing the home defence any time on the ball. In midfield little got past Agnew, King, Cann, N Vernon and Carey, with every one of them creating chances for the front two.

Argyle opened the scoring with a fine individual goal by Cann, who beat three defenders and chipped the keeper from the edge of the area.

The lead was doubled when good work by King and Carey set up Agnew, whose cross from the byline was met by Mortimer, who steered the ball into the top corner.

The students were rocking and restricted to long range shots on goal which keeper Bailey dealt with comfortably.

A quick break by N Vernon and Mortimer set up Carey, but with only the keeper to beat he somehow mistimed his shot and the opportunity was lost.

Argyle continued to dominate during the first half, but failed to add to the score.

After the interval the match became more of an even contest, with the students slowly coming back.

Against the run of play Cann set up Agnew whose pinpoint cross found Mortimer, but his header flashed past the post. From the goal kick, a mix up between Carey and Cann let in University wide on the left, the shot evaded K Gill and Bailey to give the students a lifeline.

The students pushed for the equaliser. Agnew was asked to leave the field due to a slight cut to his leg, and while he was out of action the students scored their second after poor marking in the box.

With Argyle back to full strength the match looked set for a draw, when Agnew found Cann in space wide on the left. His driving run into the box drew the defenders to him leaving N Vernon with room in front of goal, but Cann blazed the ball over the bar.

The students, from the resulting goal kick worked the ball well on the right, creating an opening which saw them score the winner, with the ball going in off the crossbar.