Carlsberg South West Peninsula League division one East

Okehampton Argyle 1

Alphington 1

A HARD working team performance saw Argyle pick up a much deserved point against mid-table Alphington last Saturday.

The game started off very evenly with both sides making chances and the two teams' midfield players fighting a battle for supremacy.

It was Alphington who were to break the deadlock after 20 minutes when a well worked move down the right released their winger, whose low driven cross into the box saw Kenny Smith beat Argyle's keeper Harry Geering to the ball before turning it into the net. It only took two minutes for Argyle to get back on terms when a through ball released Steve Williams who used his tremendous speed to outpace the Alphington defence before coolly lobbing the ball over the visitors' keeper to level the match.

As the first half continued, Argyle began to gain supremacy in midfield with Colin Marshall and Ed Squire looking impressive, and a fine move saw Marshall burst forward and drive a fierce shot just over the visitors' crossbar.

The second half continued in a similar end-to-end manner, but it was Alphington who created the better chances and Okehampton were fortunate that the visitors' finishing did not match their approach work.

As it was, Geering was not greatly troubled by the Alphas' efforts and the Argyle back three of Mike Vernon, Stuart Cann and James Williams all put in impressive defensive performances. Argyle kept battling away and Ed Squire caught the eye in midfield with some fine tackling. As the match wore on, a draw looked the only possible result, but Argyle were desperately unlucky in the last minute when Steve Williams once again outstripped the Alphington defence to finish superbly, only to see his goal ruled out for offside.

This was a good performance by Argyle who were forced to field a reshuffled team due to injuries and suspensions.

• This week's matches at Simmons Park: Argyle play on Saturday in the South West Peninsula League against Bovey Tracey, kick-off at 3pm. On Sunday in the Football Express Cup quarter final Okehampton Argyle seconds play Uplowman seconds, kick-off at 1pm.