Okehampton Cup

Halwill 1

THIS was a closely fought match between sides who were equally keen to progress in this competition.

The opening stages saw Halwill giving their all, trying to prevent Hatherleigh playing their passing game.

Halwill?s main attacking ploy was to knock the ball over the top for Knight to run on to. But this tactic was dealt with comfortably by Bruce and Pearson in the home defence.

Hatherleigh started to impose themselves with some neat attacking moves down the flanks.

The opening goal came when a ball into the box was half-cleared to Dymond. His shot was saved well by Phil Wonnacott in goal who then saved Harris? follow up.

However, he was powerless to stop Cleave following in to notch his fourth goal in his last three games. Hatherleigh then pressed on in search of a second goal.

Adams won possession in the centre circle and spotted Vernon cutting in from the right. He threaded a perfect pass through the defence leaving Vernon through on goal.

With Wonnacott rushing out to narrow the angle Vernon dummied his shot and danced around the hapless keeper, before tucking the ball into the net.

Halwill made changes at half-time with Lee Parsons coming on. He made a big difference and they started to put pressure on the home side.

The Halwill goal came ten minutes before the end. The ball was headed at goal by Andrew Wonnacott but had no pace. What should have been a routine save for Toop became an embarrassing moment. He bent down to save but the ball squirmed through his fingers, between his legs and trickled over the line.

This led to some frantic defending as Halwill looked for an equaliser and Hatherleigh were relieved to hear the referee?s whistle signalling the end of the game.