Devon & Exeter League Premier Division

Exeter Civil Service . . . . . . .2

Okehampton Argyle . . . . . . 2

EARLY in the match Argyle created the better chances, with both Steve Williams and Mike Vernon bringing the best out of the Civil keeper to keep the score sheet clean.

But against the run of play in the 16th minutes a strike from Civil?s Adam Jason-Ryan from the edge of the penalty box took a wicked bounce before eluding Neil Clift?s outstretched dive to find the corner of the net.

Clift, who was deputising for Shaun Sandercock, who was getting married, was called upon again minutes later to turn a pile driver over the box with a finger-tip save.

Argyle put themselves back in the game on the half hour when an excellent pass from Rob Clark allowed Rob Sandercock to shoot over the advancing keeper to find the top of the net.

Two minutes later Clark was again the provider when this time his pass found Chris Wills, who beat the keeper with a low shot, giving Okehampton a half-time lead.

With both sides missing chances early in the second half, Okehampton should have gone ahead on the hour when awarded a penalty for a foul on Steve Williams.

Stuart Cann missed his shot completely, allowing the keeper to make an easy save at his left hand post.

To make matters worse a minute later a free kick awarded to Civil for a handball offence by Cann, saw their free kick headed in by Adam Jason-Ryan to level the scores once again.

With both sides running out of steam, on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year, the game finished as a predictable draw with Argyle grateful to get at least one point on the board.

Okehampton play their first game at home this week, when they entertain Bradworthy in the first round of the Devon County Premier Cup.

Okehampton reserves are also home in the first round of the County Intermediate Cup.