Devon & Exeter Premier

Okehampton Argyle 3

Exeter St Thomas 2

ARGYLE collected their first league win since October with this determined display, but they were made to sweat after allowing a three-goal cushion to slip.

Despite a two week lay-off due to the weather, Okehampton started where they left off in their draw at St Martins, taking the game to the opposition.

Maddax, playing in his first game after a long injury lay-off, gave the side a better balance and Pollard on the opposite flank exploited some open spaces. Although Argyle always had the upper hand throughout the first half they were never in total control and could easily have gone behind but for two marvellous saves from Richard Bailey, the first a stunning reaction from a point-blank shot, and the second a fingertip save from a header.

The deadlock was eventually broken on the half-hour. Nic Pollard again found space on the right and his pin-point cross found the head of Adam Mortimer, who finished with aplomb.

On the stroke of half-time Okehampton extended their lead. They were awarded a free-kick following a trip and with the visiting wall at sixes and sevens, Stuart Cann rifled the ball home from 30 yards.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Argyle dominating but St Thomas always looked dangerous on the break. Ian Gill looked to have made the game safe on the hour, when his persistence saw him rob a defender and race clear. He then calmly lifted the ball over the sprawling keeper.

As the game wore on Okehampton sat too deep, inviting St Thomas to attack. With 20 minutes remaining, and following a fortunate ricochet in the middle of the park, Argyle were caught flat as the ball was drilled across the six-yard box to leave a simple tap-in.

Nerves were tested fully ten minutes later when St Thomas reduced the arrears further following a goalmouth scramble. However, Argyle steadied themselves and could have increased their lead in the last minute but Gill came off second best in a one-on-one with the keeper.

Okehampton: Bailey, Drew N, Gill K, Vernon M, Pollard, Vernon N, Agnew, Maddax D, Cann, Gill I, Mortimer. Subs, Short, Maddax C.