Devon & Exeter Premier

Okehampton 0

Hatherleigh 1

A GOOD crowd had come to watch the first of this season's local derbies between these two old rivals, played in midweek.

Hatherleigh dominated the first half playing down the slope and missed several good chances to take the lead.

The home side looked unable to cope with their movement up front and when home goalkeeper Richard Bailey brought down Jamie Halpin it looked as if Hatherleigh would at last take the lead.

Stuart Dymond's penalty, however, was hit straight at Bailey who forced it over the bar.

Hatherleigh continued to force good openings and should have gone in at the break leading comfortably.

The second period started more evenly and with Hatherleigh's first attack Halpin raced onto Steve Cleave's cross and put it past Bailey for them to take the lead.

This seemed to spur Okehampton into action and for the last 30 minutes they pressed forward looking for an equaliser. They continued to press down the slope forcing the visitors to defend very deep. They were thrown a lifeline when the referee gave them a penalty for handball.

The resulting spot kick saw Adam Mortimore hit the crossbar and from then on Hatherleigh never looked back.

The light began to fade rapidly and it seemed that whatever the home side threw at the visitors they defended well, limiting them to a few shots on target. The final whistle went in near impossible playing conditions giving Hatherleigh a deserved three points.

Devon &Exeter Premier

Tap and Barrel 5

Hatherleigh 4

HATHERLEIGH should have managed to grab a point in an up and down game where the home team always seemed to have the advantage.

The hosts took the lead after only ten minutes only to see their opponents equalise within a minute of the restart with a superb strike from Jamie Halpin following a good cross from Stuart Dymond.

Chances fell at both ends but it was again the home side who managed to go into the break leading with a well worked goal.

The second half saw them extend their lead within a few minutes following a scramble in the box. Hatherleigh were in no mood to lie down, however, and it was not long before they had sprung the offside trap and Halpin ran clear to put the ball neatly in the net.

Just as the visitors were getting on top they were dealt a cruel blow when the referee gave a penalty against them for what was a perfectly timed tackle.

With 20 minutes remaining Hatherleigh continued to press forward and Halpin completed his hat-trick when he struck home a cross from Steve Parsons.

The visitors drew level when a long throw saw Dymond head home at the far post.

Hatherleigh must have thought they had done enough but after a mix up in their defence the ball was only half cleared and they were punished with a good strike from the edge of the box worthy of winning any game.

This week Hatherleigh are at home to league leaders Witheridge, kick-off 3pm.