Okehampton Columbines 1
Ottery Crickets 2
OKEHAMPTON had their work cut out in the Devon Hockey Cup, playing Crickets who are several places higher than them in the leagues.
Okehampton threw everything into the match and all members of the team had outstanding games.
Okehampton surged forward and surprised the Crickets? defence into mistakes. They had a number of chances and were unfortunate when a goal could not be allowed as the whistle had already gone.
One down at half-time Okehampton came out fighting and hard work down the left set up Sue Stanbury to score the equaliser.
Crickets piled on the pressure and the Okehampton defence tackled tirelessly.
Sharon Stephens in goal made some spectacular saves, but Crickets were just too strong and ran out 2-1 winners.
St Austell 3
Okehampton Columbines 3
OKEHAMPTON scored first when St Austell were caught too far up the pitch, allowing Jo Stephens to carry the ball to the circle with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Not much later Okehampton made the same mistake, and St Austell equalised to be level at half time.
With Judith Grant and Carol Taylor defending well at the back and Netty Collett pushing up through the middle, Columbines were able to launch a series of attacks. This paid off when Sue Stanbury scored from a short corner, and a short while later Stanbury put Okehampton 3-1 up, with a reverse stick shot.
Despite Sharon Stephens making a number of saves in goal, St Austell were able to put two good strikes past her.
Okehampton are home in the league to Plymouth University on Saturday, November 27.