South West Peninsula League Division One East

Galmpton United & Torbay Gents 4

Okehampton Argyle 0

OKEHAMPTON travelled to second placed Galmpton with a depleted squad with defender Kevin Gill unavailable, Ed Squire injured and to compound matters influential young midfielder Chris Hollands missed the minibus! Team manager Stuart Cann had to play in goal, turning in a good performance — the whole team played with spirit and in the first half matched Galmpton in the difficult conditions.

The first half was very even and Argyle came more into the game as the match progressed. They soon realised that in the strong wind it was best to play the ball along the ground and they put together good moves that troubled the Galmpton defence. Dan Johnston and Matt Mortimer looked strong at the back and in midfield Jonjo Fellows, James Williams and Chris Wills took the eye.

Sadly, Argyle fell behind to a bizarre goal after 30 minutes. A strong tackle in the box by Mark Burdus saw the ball run out of play for a Galmpton throw-in.

The home side spent a long time arguing with the referee that they should have a penalty and when the match official finally restarted play, he awarded them a corner.

This caused the Okehampton defenders to question the decision – meanwhile Galmpton forward Shane Shobrooke curled the corner directly into the net with the Okes' defenders out of position and still talking to the referee. Argyle fought back and put together some strong attacks with Steve Williams' pace troubling the home defence. Okehampton should have scored twice, the best chance being a fierce thirty yard shot by Matt Mortimer which took a deflection and beat the home keeper, only for a defender to clear off the line.

Galmpton raised their game in the second half and as the hard working Okehampton midfield began to tire, the home side doubled their lead when Craig Duff fired home a tremendous shot after Argyle had left players unmarked. On 80 minutes, Mark Burdus needlessly brought down Shane Shobrooke in the box and the same player got up to dispatch the penalty —Shobrooke completed his hat-trick five minutes from time when he diverted John Dunn's shot into the net.

This Saturday: South West Peninsula League: Okehampton Argyle 1sts v Axminter Town home 2.15pm; Devon Senior Cup Round 3: 2nds v Combe Martin 2nds away 2pm; Devon & Exeter Div 7: 3rds v Honiton Town 2nds home 2.15pm.