East Devon Senior Cup Semi-final Okehampton Argyle 6 Witheridge 6 After extra time Okehampton won 6-5 on penalties AFTER winning both league matches 3-1, Witheridge were odds on favourites to come out on top in this cup semi-final. Play seemed to be running to form when Witheridge took an early lead after seven minutes. Although Argyle battled away Witheridge still enjoyed the lion?s share of the play and went further ahead on the half hour when a close range shot went through Dearing?s legs. Moments later only the crossbar saved Argyle from going three down. Playing down the slope in the second half, Argyle were hoping to pull the game around, but after only seven minutes Witheridge increased their lead. A cross from the left wing was easily converted by the right winger coming in. With Argyle looking dead and buried they were thrown a lifeline in the 55th minute. A back pass to the Witheridge keeper forced a hurried clearance which was charged down by Mark Burdus with the rebound flying into the net. Five minutes later Argyle scored again, when a long throw in from Mark Burdus caught the Witheridge defence by surprise with the ball being smashed past the keeper by Steve Williams. Having found a weakness in the Witheridge defence, Argyle started to capitalise on it. Another long throw from Burdus was headed on by Paul Yip for Phil Evans to strike the equaliser. Witheridge scored twice more in the next ten minutes to open up what should have been an unassailable position. But the drama continued, when first Paul Yip scored from another Burdus throw in to make it 5-4. Then in the last minute Argyle were awarded a free kick just outside the box. With nothing to lose keeper Chris Dearing joined the other forwards in the penalty box and from Nick Drew?s flick managed to get a head to the ball after the keeper fumbled it. The ball crossed the line to take the match into extra time. Mike Vernon put Argyle in front for the first time when he scored after two minutes, but a lobbed goal from Witheridge just before the break put the visitors on level terms once again. The second half remained goalless, taking the tie into a penalty shootout. Here again the excitement continued, with Argyle?s first spot kick hitting the bar and Witheridge having their fifth kick saved to keep things level. With a sudden death shootout now in operation, Argyle scored twice, while Witheridge hit the bar with their second one. Argyle will now play Heavitree in the final after beating Thorverton in the other semi-final.
