Devon & Exeter League Premier Division
Witheridge 0
Okehampton Argyle 3
ON an excellently prepared pitch, Argyle achieved the results they needed to mount a serious challenge for the league title this season.
Witheridge have always been something of a bogey side for Argyle, but after an even first 20 minutes the deadlock was broken when the referee awarded Argyle a penalty for a foul just inside the box.
Stuart Cann sent the keeper the wrong way when he shot low into the right hand corner.
Robbie Miller and Mark Williams both worked hard up front, with the latter being a little unlucky not to score, when he broke through on two occasions forcing good saves from the Witheridge keeper.
A solo effort from Paul Yip on the half hour, rounding the keeper before shooting into an empty net, gave Argyle a breathing space, plus the advantage of playing down a slight slope in the second half.
With Mike Vernon and Neil Agnew both having fine games at the back, Argyle gave few chances to the young Witheridge attack, the nearest from a corner when a fine header clipped the crossbar and went over.
A double substitution by Argyle halfway through the second half proved to be a winner. Mark Burdus, on for Mark Williams, and Jerome Whatley for Lloyd Chapman, saw the latter step up to blast a free kick from just outside the penalty area into the top left hand corner of the net.
This Saturday Argyle are at home to St Loyes TB, previously Tap and Barrel, kick-off 3pm.