Friendly
Honiton ladies 1
Okehampton ladies seconds 1
AFTER the Christmas break Okehampton ladies second team travelled to play a friendly hockey fixture against Honiton Ladies.
The Honiton team were a more mature and experienced team but Oke had youth and enthusiasm on their side.
The speed and skill of Okehampton attackers Grace Thorp and Amanda Sim tested the Honiton defence but they were unable to turn possession into goals.
The first half saw end to end hockey with defender Katy Adams making some crucial tackles and goalkeeper Shanon Osman clearing the ball off her line to keep Oke in the game.
Okehampton were unfortunate to concede a penalty corner — the Honiton striker outwitted the Oke defender to slot the ball into the net. Being a goal behind spurred the Oke team into action. They passed the ball around the pitch spreading the Honiton defence giving vice-captain Katy Graves the opportunity to confidently strike the ball to score Oke's equaliser.
The second half was an evenly matched contest with Oke captain Sophie Whiteley controlling her team from the centre of the pitch.
Player of the match Tara Davidson was unlucky not to put Oke in the lead with several strong runs towards the Honiton goal thwarted by solid defending.
Unfortunately the game was abandoned part way through the half when an Okehampton player sustained a head injury. After a visit to hospital the team were relieved to hear that she will be fighting fit to play in their next fixture against Tavistock seconds on January 23.