Gerrard Hockey League
South-West Division 1
Okehampton Men?s Hockey Club 2
United Services Hockey Club 2
OKEHAMPTON Men?s Hockey Club were pleased to secure their first points with this draw.
Okehampton saw the return of their first choice back-line, Dave Dennis, Mark Clapham back after injury, and Andrew Carter returned home following his UK tour.
Unfortunately, it was not long before US spoilt the reunion and there was nothing captain, keeper Nick Kearley, could do to prevent the opening goal.
The team were better organised in the second half, the midfield orchestrated by Richard Jones began to distribute telling balls to the front line.
US were on the back-foot and the rolling substitutions ensured Okehampton had fresh attacking legs. Eventually, the tactical decision of playing Keith Webber up front paid off as he brought the score to 1-1.
It was not long before the interlinking up front was starting to ask serious questions of their defence, Phil Mellor, Darren Phare and Ted Lane adding confusion to the United Services ranks.
Matt Voaden, the team?s leading scorer, scored to see Okehampton take a 2-1 lead. Simon Bourne should have made it three, his lightning reactions following up a saved shot from Webber saw him push the ball onto the post.
US responded to the wave of pressure and a beautifully struck goal from the edge of the D was well deserved.
Man of the match: Phil Mellor.
This week Okehampton travel to St Austell.