Devon & Exeter League Premier

Okehampton Argyle 1

St Loyes TB 2

OKEHAMPTON came within five minutes of snatching a point from last season?s league champions.

But no-one would argue that St Loyes were the better team on the day and maybe deserved a little luck when Mark Peperall?s shot took a deflection before squeezing past Neil Clift to find the corner of the net for the winning goal.

The first 20 minutes were dominated by St Loyes, winning seven corners in quick succession and putting Argyle?s defenders under tremendous pressure.

Fortunately for Okehampton, goalkeeper Clift was in brilliant form, pulling off a string of excellent saves to keep the scores level.

Argyle almost took a shock lead after 25 minutes, when a break down the right flank finished with a snap shot from Jamie Halpin, which clipped the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.

Almost immediately St Loyes broke back down the left side for Ben Murbey to wriggle past a defender and shoot low into the corner of the net, even though Clift got a hand to it.

Further attacks from Okehampton saw Lloyd Chapman head over the bar and Stuart Cann fire wide from a free kick.

Argyle must have been glad to hear the half-time whistle, just for a breather, and to discuss second half tactics.

Whatever was said at half time did the trick, because Argyle seemed more fired up and for the first time St Loyes started to panic at the back.

Ten minutes into the second half, Paul Yip broke down the right and won a corner when his attempted cross was blocked. St Loyes defenders failed to clear the corner, the ball dropping at the feet of Argyle?s Mark Williams, who stabbed it past the surprised keeper at the second attempt.

St Loyes took control again, mounting several attacks, hitting the woodwork and scoring that vital goal five minutes from the end.

Okehampton man of the match award was a close contest between Clift, who had an outstanding game in goal, and Mike Vernon, who never put a foot wrong all afternoon. His tackling and interceptions were first class ? honours shared.

This week Okehampton Reserves are at home to Alphington, while the third XI are also at home to Culmstock. The First team are away to Thorverton. All three start at 3pm.

Devon & Exeter Senior 4

Newtown 1

Okehampton Argyle Seconds 1

OKEHAMPTON Argyle Seconds opened the season with a draw.

After a lively first 20 minutes Okehampton had a rare attacking move which resulted in a good goal. Ben Woodhouse played a long ball across the box which was volleyed emphatically in at the near post by Tom Williams.

In the second half Newtown created chance after chance but could not seem to put the ball past the goalkeeper, until Okehampton?s defence went to sleep and a hanging cross was converted ten minutes from the final whistle.

But Okehampton hung on to seal the point.

Devon & Exeter Intermediate 4

Crediton United 3

Okehampton Thirds 5

FIRST game, first win. Okehampton stepped up to senior football with great confidence and maturity. Team tactics were employed from the whistle, producing a corner after two minutes which was neatly taken by Griffiths and beautifully finished by Morgan.

Okehampton worked hard to spread play down both wings, resulting in their second goal from Kinsey, who finished a lovely move involving Monnox and Will Eddy after 20 minutes.

Crediton tried hard to respond using all their guile and expertise. Carter kept a cool head, commanding his area, particularly intercepting Crediton?s crossed balls. A lovely move down the left was finished by Will Eddy, who drilled the ball home for Okehampton?s third goal. A determined Crediton came back to make the score 3-1 at half-time.

Crediton fought back in the second half to level the score, but Okehampton responded with character. Morgan took control, presenting the ball to Griffiths who netted from just outside the area.

Continued pressure from Crediton resulted in a speculative on target high ball which Carter managed to push over the bar with a brilliant stretch. This proved to be the final turning point of the match, and the result was sealed when Kinsey scored for a second time.

Man of the match: Jon Carter.

This Saturday, home to Culmstock.