South East division two

Okehampton 4

East Devon B 1

OKEHAMPTON went into their second league game missing five players and knowing that they would have to battle hard for a victory against a decent opposition. The first 20 minutes saw very little happen as the home side controlled the game but really failed to make any kind of chances.

Brett Lawson went closer when he beat a defender but shot just wide. As the game progressed the hosts started to look a bit more potent as they attacked and it was long before Sam Spry's superb long pass out of defence found captain Mark Parsons and he beat two players before slotting a reverse strike under the advancing goalkeeper.

East Devon managed to win a few short corners but rarely looked threatening before Simon Bourne and Parsons combined together down the right for Bourne to set up an easy chance, which Parsons duly took to double their advantage just before half time.

The second half saw Okehampton never really have to push themselves, they conceded a goal from a short corner but never really looked threatened. Parsons added his third after some brilliant work from man of the match Nick Luxton and super sub Chris Luxton beat the keeper at his near post after only being on the pitch a matter of minutes.

This was another good result for newly promoted Okehampton as they now sit top of South East division two.

n This week Oke travel to Chard for a 2pm start.

East Devon C 4

Okehampton A 6

After last weeks demolition of Bridgwater. Okehampton travelled to Exeter to face a much more experienced East Devon side.

Okehampton had the perfect start scoring in the first minute after a good ball from Tim Morgan found Jake Lloyd who in turn found Josh Balsdon to slot it away.

The visitors were in the driving seat and quickly made it two when Darren Reed found Lloyd free in the D. After the second goal, Okehampton made the game hard for themselves, losing possession cheaply and giving away needless short corners which they were punished for.

At this point the heat was affecting both teams. Both teams lost the ball cheaply. Adam Cockayne stealing the ball from the East Devon defender to make the scores 3-1 only for the home side to get one back going through the entire Oke defence unchallenged before driving the ball into the back of the net.

Oke brought on Lewis Day and Ed Howard providing fresh pairs of legs and Tim Morgan swapping positions with Hayden Bond to sure up the defence.

Despite the changes, East Devon got a quick second half short corner goal to even up the scores. This was a wake up call for Oke. They retook the lead ten minutes into the second half with Lloyd setting up man of the match Josh Balsdon through a short corner. Balsdon then intercepted a East Devon pass, brushing aside the East Devon defence before completing his hat-trick driving the ball into the bottom corner.

Balsdon then turned provider, setting up Cockayne to double his tally and continue his good form. The home side clawed one back when a strike from the East Devon forward took a huge deflection which lifted the ball over the Okehampton keeper into the net.

n This week Oke A play Taunton Civil Service.