South West Peninsula League division one east

Liverton United 3

Okehampton Argyle 6

OKEHAMPTON kicked off their league season away to Liverton, and played some terrific attacking football to return home with all three points on a very wet afternoon more suited to the middle of winter.

Argyle opened strongly and, on eight minutes, won a direct free kick on the edge of the box. Ed Squire blasted the kick around the Liverton wall, and the home keeper could only push the ball away. Phil Evans showed great presence of mind to turn the loose ball back across the Liverton goalmouth where their midfielder, in a desperate attempt to clear, put the ball into his own net.

Both teams created chances on the wet surface and the spectators were treated to fast, skilful and exciting end to end football.

On 20 minutes, Liverton played a great through ball to their centre forward, who blasted an unstoppable volley past Dan Malcolm to level the scores. Argyle were having the better of the play thanks to excellent work in midfield from Ed Squire, Matt Sanders, Phil Evans and Matt Mortimer, and the terrific ball control and skill of Steve Kinsey.

On 30 minutes, Matt Mortimore restored the Argyle's lead, coolly slotting home Kinsey's cross, and a minute later his brother Adam increased the lead, finishing off a cross from Steve Williams.

Argyle carried on the second half where they had left off and five minutes after the break, Adam Mortimer increased their lead with a fierce shot after he had fastened onto a brilliant through ball from Matt Sanders.

With Argyle leading 4-1, the match seemed all over, but a feisty Liverton side had other ideas, and pulled a goal back 15 minutes later with a well taken header.

Within 3 minutes, they were back to 4-3, after Tom Reilly was adjudged to have fouled in the area, and Liverton coolly converted the resulting penalty.

Argyle responded by playing more brilliant attacking football, and within five minutes the score was 5-3 as Adam Mortimer intelligently laid the ball back to Ed Squire on the edge of the box and he finished with a well struck shot low into the corner of the net.

The scoring was completed in the last minute as Steve Kinsey's long through ball was chased down by Steve Williams, who outpaced the defence and coolly lifted the ball over the Liverton keeper.

l Next fixture: Argyle play next Saturday, August 23, at home to Exeter Civil Service, kick-off 3pm.