East Devon Senior Cup second round

Okehampton Argyle 1

Willand Rovers 3

PERSISTENT heavy rain during the week eased off enough on Saturday to allow this match to start, but it ended in disappointment for Argyle, who made an early exit from the competition.

Argyle tried attacking in the first half, but just seemed to fizzle out as a result of poor passing and weak shooting when the few chances arose.

Willand looked sharper on and off the ball, so it came as no surprise when, on the half-hour, a good build-up down the right flank ended with a Stuart Bolt cross being headed powerfully into the net by Adrian Hawkins.

Willand increased their lead two minutes before half-time when awarded a free kick 25 yards out.

The ball was floated into the goal area, where Lee Woodman rose unchallenged to find the top corner of the net.

The only plus for Okehampton in a dismal first half performance was from Dave Grimes, who was brought in at the last moment for the unavailable Robbie Sandercock. He worked hard and made several crucial tackles, including one goal-line clearance.

Playing down the slope in the second half, thoughts of a comeback were soon dashed when after just 12 minutes striker Adam Mortimer was given his marching orders for a strong verbal attack on the referee when he awarded a goal kick instead of a corner.

To rub salt into the gaping wounds, Willand produced another goal from a harmless-looking cross that was bundled in by Ricky Holmes on 65 minutes.

Reduced to ten men and three goals down, Argyle at last woke up and threw caution to the winds. Pushing men forward, Stuart Cann was unlucky not to score when Willand keeper James Budden somehow turned his low shot over the bar.

With ten minutes left Daniel Pengelly gave Argyle a glimmer of hope when he latched on to a quick free kick to blast a shot into the top corner of the net.

But despite winning several free kicks in dangerous positions Argyle failed to breach the Willand defence in the closing minutes and had to admit defeat to a better side on the day.

This week Okehampton are away to Witheridge, kick-off 2.30pm.