Okehampton Columbines 2 Mannamead Seconds 1 MANNAMEAD Seconds held Okehampton ladies? hockey team to the second place in the league last season despite Okehampton being miles ahead on goal difference. In their match earlier this year Mannamead held Okehampton to a draw; so this was a team Okehampton wanted to beat. Okehampton played one of its strongest teams and were determined. This showed itself particularly in the play of Hannah Whiteley on the right wing in the first half. Hannah played with a fiery persistence, never giving up and really putting Mannamead under pressure. Okehampton?s attacking play soon led to the first goal as Jo Moppett intercepted a hit out and slipped the ball under the goalie. Okehampton?s attacking style put Mannamead under a lot of pressure but did create some vulnerability. Two Mannamead players stayed up behind most of Okehampton?s defence and this led to some dangerous moments for the home side. The tactic paid off towards the end of the first half when Okehampton?s goalie, Sophie Whiteley, had no chance against the two strikers and the score was 1-1 at half time. In the second half Okehampton made break after break including a superb run by Jo Drake. Unfortunately, despite several excellent crosses and manoeuvres, Okehampton could not quite get the ball into the net. A dark and intimidating sky and a fierce rain shower made play difficult for both sides with poor visibility causing some confusion and errors. Jo Moppett broke the deadlock by taking the ball right along the back line with breathtaking virtuosity passing several frantic Mannamead defenders. She crossed the ball along the goal line where Alex Collins and Viv Weatherington pounced, for Alex to push it past the goalie to score the winner. Okehampton are now well established at the top of the league with a considerable gap between them and the next team. l On Saturday the Columbines face Paignton Seconds at home, bully off 2.30pm.
