St Martin?s 2
Okehampton Argyle 1
THIS penultimate match for Argyle turned out to be a struggle in more ways than one.
Firstly, with at least five first choice players unavailable, the side travelled with just eleven.
It still looked a useful side, with a mixture of youth and one or two older, experienced players holding it together.
After a shaky start, during which St Martin?s saw the ball kicked off the goal-line, then rebound off one of the uprights and back into play, Argyle gradually worked their way back into contention, although the strong wind made attractive football almost impossible.
On the half-hour, and with the game still evenly balanced, a high cross into the Argyle goalmouth was gathered by keeper Chris Dearing under pressure from a St Martin?s forward. The referee judged an elbow into the forward?s face was deliberate and Dearing was shown the red card.
Stuart Cann took up his position between the sticks to face the resulting penalty, but a strong shot into the corner by Ross Parker gave him no chance.
Down to ten men, Argyle now had their best spell with Sandercock and Yip both going close, with good efforts before a 30-yard free kick from Nick Drew whistled into the top corner of the net to put the scores level at halftime.
Both sides created chances in the second half, with Steve Williams for Argyle going closest when his shot rebounded from an upright with the keeper beaten 15 minutes from time.
The one-man advantage finally told,when an overworked Argyle defence failed to break down a slick St Martin?s attack which ended with Kevin Pike stroking home the winner with a fine shot which gave Cann no chance.
The Okehampton Cup final will be staged at Simmons Park on Sunday between Okehampton and Hatherleigh, kick-off 3pm.
l A date for your dairy, Club annual meeting Monday June 14, 7.30pm, Simmons Park.