OKEHAMPTON was whipped up into a World Cup frenzy as England had us all on the edge of our seats over the past week.

Tense and nerve-racking was the only way to describe England's match against Nigeria yesterday (Wednesday) which took them through to the last 16 — the feelings of relief were a far cry from the ecstasy of the Argentina match five days earlier where nothing could be heard in Okehampton's streets except the singing of supporters dressed in England shirts.

Crowds packed like sardines into the Exeter Arms and The Pretoria Vaults to watch the matches on the big screen. Jill Carr, landlady of the former, did a roaring trade in bacon baps yesterday as hardened World Cup fanatics arrived for kick-off at 7.30am.

Among the supporters were a large contingent from Okehampton's largest employer Heinz who had arrived after finishing shifts at 6am.

Jill said the atmosphere had been electric for every game although the crunch match against Nigeria which ended in a draw —just enough to see the team make it through the qualifying rounds — had everyone on tenterhooks.

'There has been a real party atmosphere all week. People are also coming out to support Ireland now which is good,' she said. 'We have had no trouble and I think it's really brought everyone together — it's been brilliant.'

Jill is intrigued to know who the worker in East Street was that kept ringing up every time cheers were heard coming from the pub during the match with Argentina to find out the score.

Chairman of Okehampton Arygle Football Club Colin Maddox said when England scored on Friday he lost half a pint of beer and hit the ceiling, but it was all worth it.

'I had a bit of a beer shampoo that day but it was a great moment to score against the Argentineans,' he said.

It has been 44 years since England got knocked out of the World Cup in the qualifying rounds so a lot was resting on yesterday's match. It was made all the more tense by Sweden's battle with Argentina being played at the same time which also ended in a draw. If Argentina had won and England had conceded one goal, our nations' team would have been out.

Although Nigeria could not qualify, they had plenty to threaten England with and were more used to the soaring temperatures.

England had, however, never lost to an African team in the World Cup and were the favourites to win.

Match spectator Ian Snell said England were playing for a draw because they knew that would get them through and therefore played safe.

'There was no real excitement in the game — the heat must have been a factor and England were very nervy,' he said.

'The match against Argentina was a better one because we played a lot more aggressively but the main thing is we got there and we should beat Denmark in the next match on Saturday.'

The beer barrels are being rolled in for Saturday — make it a date for England v Denmark, kick off at 12.30pm.