Jackson Vending Devon & Exeter Premier
Exeter Civil Service 3
Okehampton Argyle 2
OKEHAMPTON suffered a severe dent to their hopes of catching Tap and Barrel, when Exeter Civil Service came twice from behind to beat them last Saturday.
The first half was tough and went much along the same lines as the game against Willand with both teams defending well. It took 35 minutes for Okehampton to score the opening goal, Steve Williams rounding on a half-cleared effort to score from eight yards. Okehampton held this lead until just before half-time when a penalty was awarded to Civil, which they converted despite Shaun Sandercock just getting his fingers to it.
Three minutes into the second half Adam Mortimer scored Okehampton?s second with a glancing header from a corner.
Argyle then applied pressure, looking for a third, but with players going forward the heat started to take its toll and gaps appeared at the back. This was exploited to its fullest when Civil virtually walked in their second equaliser on the hour.
In the 73rd minute Civil scored the winner.
Okehampton tried to get back into the game but a mixture of lucky goalkeeping and good defending kept them out.
After this defeat Okehampton are now realistically looking at a runners-up spot, possibly behind Tap and Barrel. Argyle have a punishing five away matches in nine days.
Saturday, April 12 home to Cullompton (players to meet at car park 1.15pm); April 14 Tap & Barrel (St Loyes College, Topsham Road); April 17, Pinhoe; April 19 Exeter St Thomas (Clyst Rovers FC, Clyst St George), April 24 Elmore (Tiverton).