Devon & Exeter League

Premier Division

Okehampton Argyle 2

St Martin?s 0

THIS was not the best performance from Argyle this season, but at least they got the right result and three valuable points.

Although mathematically they could still finish in either second position or even in a relegation spot, the likelihood is that they will finish in a comfortable mid-table position, providing they average a point a game from the remaining seven matches.

The first half was evenly contested with both sides creating, but missing, good chances. St Martin?s should probably have scored from one of their many corners, but shots were either off target or saved by Sean Sandercock.

At the other end his brother Robbie had the best chance for Argyle, but shot into the side netting from an acute angle.

A minute before half-time a missed clearance by St Martin?s let in young Robbie Clark who took the ball on to the edge of the box before crashing a shot into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Argyle should have increased their lead early in the second half, but St Martin?s managed to keep the ball out. They put extra pressure on Argyle?s defence, who were resorting to a kick anywhere policy.

With ten minutes left Argyle eased their worries when Robbie Sandercock broke down the left flank and, after jinking past two defenders, sent a powerful shot in off the far upright to double the lead and secure an important victory.

This week Argyle are away to Cullompton Rangers, kick-off 3pm, leave all-weather car park 1.15pm.

East Devon Cup third round

St Loyes 3

Okehampton Argyle 2

THIS was a cracking cup tie,with Argyle getting off to the sort of start that caught St Loyes by surprise.

In the first minute Steve Williams broke through to put the ball into the net, but was disallowed by the referee because the ball brushed his arm as he controlled it.

On five minutes, Stuart Cann rattled the crossbar from a free kick just outside the penalty box.

Argyle continued to edge the first half, with Robbie Sandercock being the next to test the St Loyes keeper when he burst through on the half-hour. Unfortunately for Argyle the keeper came off his line and smothered the shot.

This was closely followed by Steve Williams making a similar dash down the right wing, with his cross into the box desperately cleared by an outstretched leg.

The second half began with Sandercock again breaking through the defence, only for the keeper to save.

But just five minutes into the half the deadlock was broken. Kenny Smith cut in from the left for St Loyes and his low shot could only be palmed out for Ryan Harris to score on the rebound.

Although Argyle battled for every ball,the equaliser would just not come. Moving into the last 15 minutes the game looked to be over, when Shane Maddock scored twice in as many minutes for St Loyes to give them a 3-0 lead.

But Argyle were not dead and buried yet ? a last desperate effort saw Robbie Miller score twice to reduce the lead to one goal with five minutes left.

Moving into the last minute, Argyle were a little unlucky not to equalise when a right wing cross from Paul Yip went straight across the goal-line, needing only the slightest of touches to send the ball into the net.

St Loyes managed to play out the remaining time and were relieved to hear the final whistle.