Devon & Exeter Premier

Tap and Barrel 3

Okehampton Argyle 1

ARGYLE, away to the league leaders, should have come away with maximum points.

They could not have got off to a worse start as they conceded a goal inside the first two minutes. The ball was ricocheting around Okehampton's goal when it finally hit the upright, Argyle's defence were flatfooted and Tap's striker Webb stabbed the ball home from two yards.

This fired up Tap who for the next 20 minutes kept Argyle's defence busy, but all their efforts were wide of the target or Soby, M Vernon and K Gill managed to get in some timely blocks.

Playing up the slope on a wet pitch, Argyle began to claw their way back with Cann, Agnew and King being the most influential players, setting up Mortimer and the impressive Steve Williams.

Mortimer and Williams both had chances in the first half, and brought out some fine saves from the home keeper. Tap had the majority of possession during a fairly dull first period, which saw them take a two-goal lead just before half-time, when Jent headed the second from close range following poor marking at a corner.

After the break Argyle managed to turn the Tap defence by stretching the game, with Mortimer and Williams getting behind them and running at goal. Argyle forced several corners and after a goalmouth scramble Williams smacked the ball home from six yards.

Argyle were now on top of the game, forcing Tap to punt the ball up-field just to relieve the pressure. Williams latched onto a long Soby clearance and rounded the keeper, who tried to bring him down. The young striker stayed on his feet only to see his goalbound effort cleared off the line by a covering defender.

From the resulting throw in, by the corner flag, Tap won back possession and raced the length of the field with Argyle's midfield having pushed too far forward. They played a quick one-two, which saw Webb bearing down on goal, and he coolly slotted the ball under Bailey.

Gibbs replaced Carey in midfield, and from his through-ball set up the lively Williams. He was only denied his second by a superb save from the keeper, who palmed the ball away for a corner. Agnew, wide on the left, set up King whose shot found Mortimer. He miss-hit his shot, only for the ball to land at the feet of Williams and with the goal at his mercy he somehow fired wide.

Bailey made crucial saves to keep Argyle in the game, but it was at the other end in which they failed to win. Mortimer had two chances, one he blazed over the bar the other, a cracking left-foot drive, came back off the post.

Over the last two weeks, Argyle have played some attractive football and shown battling qualities against two teams who will be challenging for the league title in May.

This week the Firsts are at home to Pinhoe in the league, kick-off 2.30pm.