Brixington U11s 6

THIS was a close game which Okehampton could have won if they had defended better.

Too often the Brixington forwards were left in space or were given room to run at goal. Coupled with some excellent finishing this enabled them to score six times.

But on a positive note Okehampton also attacked well and never gave the game up which enabled them to pull level in the dying minutes.

Brixington scored an early goal and Okehampton immediately went up and equalised through Neil Bailey. Slack marking let Brixington through for two more goals before Jack Britton pulled one back . The first half finished at 2-3 to the visitors.

Okehampton were quickly 4-2 down then Neil Bailey — who was named as man of the match — scored his second.

Back came the visitors with another goal to restore their two goal advantage. Then the Okehampton midfield stepped up a gear and Jamie Atherton fired in a goal - but again Brixington went straight back to make it 6-4.

Scott Gibson then scored with three minutes left and in injury time Simon Bales equalised.

This was an exciting game and all the Okehampton players worked hard. Gareth Tidball in goal hardly had a chance with any of the goals. Full backs Daniel Smale and Daniel Vallance were often pulled out of position by some fast running forwards but overall were solid.

Matt Mortimer showed excellent reading of the game in the heart of the defence and was ably assisted by his midfield in the form of Martin Ryland, Scott Gibson and Jamie Atherton. Rob Fishleigh and Simon Bales worked hard to establish a link with the two strikers Neil Bailey and Jack Britton.

With some work on the offside trap and man-to-man marking, the team should fare well in the coming weeks.

There is no game on Sunday but two home games on December 10 and 17. Training is on Thursday from 6pm to 7pm on the all-weather pitch.