East Devon Senior Cup quarter final Okehampton Argyle 2 Hatherleigh 1 THIS narrow victory over near neighbours Hatherleigh now puts Argyle into the hat for the semi-final draw with fellow Premier sides Heavitree, Thorverton and Witheridge. Although the club?s main objective must be to stay in the premier division, the fact that they are just two games away from winning a trophy could be enough to spur the players on to improve their league performances as well. This match was a typical local derby, with little good football played in the opening 20 minutes. But once the two sides settled down, the passes started to flow and the chances were created. Kevin Gill and Steve Williams carved out the best chances for Argyle, while at the other end Martin Reynolds looked dangerous from any set pieces in and round the box. Although both keepers were kept busy, neither got into any real difficulty. However, this was to change on the half hour when Steve Williams sped after a through ball for Okehampton. Hatherleigh?s keeper, attempting to clear, skied the ball high over his own head, and, not knowing exactly where the ball went, could only watch as Williams gratefully headed it into the empty net. Argyle kept their lead intact until three minutes into the first half injury time, then a free kick awarded to Hatherleigh for a clumsy tackle just outside the box was struck sweetly over keeper Chris Dearing?s outstretched hands and into the net by Simon Pearson. Argyle enjoyed much more of the play in the second half, with Steve Williams causing Hatherleigh?s defence problems all afternoon with his darting runs. Paul Yip came more and more into the game as time went on, but his final crosses into the box could have been better. He was a little unlucky with a shot that beat the keeper, but somehow a defender cleared the ball off the line. With the game looking like going into extra time, a final attack was made down the right by Argyle and finished with a powerful shot from close range by Steve Williams, giving the Hatherleigh keeper no chance. This victory put Argyle on a high, but they will have to come down to earth this week when they are home again to new premier league leaders Exmouth Town Reserves. Kick off 3pm. l Argyle wish to apologise to supporters for giving the wrong kick-off time for the Hatherleigh game.
