Devon and Exeter League Premier Division

Okehampton 1

Hatherleigh 4

NORMALLY, derby games between these two clubs are exciting and closely fought battles, with no quarter given.

But for this match, the only bright thing about the day as far as Argyle were concerned was the weather.

They were watched by a good crowd, including a number of club sponsors, who attended by invitation in appreciation of their support.

Argyle had booked their place in the premier division next season when they beat Buckland Athletic 1-0 away last week, the goal scored by Robbie Miller.

They started positively enough, with a Cann free kick volleyed over the bar by Mike Vernon in the third minute.

But this was to be a flash in the pan for Okehampton, with Hatherleigh in complete control from then on.

Winning a free kick on the edge of the box in the fifth minute, a fine cross into the far post saw Stuart Dymond force the ball over for the opening goal for Hatherleigh.

A free kick for Argyle led to Hatherleigh?s second goal on the half-hour. A long clearance went over Okehampton?s defence, and there was Dymond again, beating Sandercock to the ball and finding the corner of the net.

Worse was to come, when Dymond completed his hat-trick just before the break, when he headed in a free kick from Matt Adams with not a defender in sight.

There was a ray of hope for Argyle early in the second half, when a defender headed a goal-bound effort from Loyd Chapman off the line, then a cross from Rob Clark was fumbled over the line by Hatherleigh?s keeper to give Argyle a soft goal.

But despite this better spell Argyle were soon punished again when an inswinging corner from Adams went through Sandercock?s outstretched hands and into the net to put the visitors 4-1 up.

An injury to Daniel Johnson after Argyle had used all their substitutes left them with ten men for the last 15 minutes, so it was a case of playing out time and keeping the scoreline respectable.

This win for bottom of the table Hatherleigh has thrown them a lifeline in their attempt to stay in the premier division.

If they win their last three games, which is possible, because they are all home fixtures, they could avoid the drop into senior football next season.

This week Argyle are away to Seaton Town, kick off 3 pm. Leave allweather car park 12.45pm.

Okehampton Cup semi-final

Okehampton Argyle 1

North Tawton 0

THE second local derby in two days saw a more evenly contested match, with neither side stamping their authority on the proceedings.

An uneventful first half ended with just one good chance for North Tawton, a dangerous cross from Ian King, which only needed a touch from anyone as the ball flashed across the face of the goal.

Okehampton fared better in the second half, but it was not until ten minutes from the end the the vital goal arrived.

A spot of genius from Robbie Sandercock saw him flick the ball over a defender, then as it came down the other side, smash it on the volley into the net.

North Tawton had chances to equalise in the closing minutes, but failed to do so.

This result sets up a final between Okehampton and Hatherleigh, which is due to take place on May 16 at Simmons Park. Final details later.

ABOVE and LEFT:

Action from the derby clash with Okehampton in the lighter shirts.